A number of European cities are so concerned about their shrinking population that they offer subsidies for purchases, cheap rents and settlement bonuses, as well as for the birth of children, and for new residents, including foreigners, to encourage them to settle.
This initiative is not new, and cities that have already implemented this financing and other transportation incentives have attracted so much media attention around the world that new destinations, from Switzerland to Italy, via Greece and Spain, are increasing their offers, in some cases increasing to 50,000 euros. For the family, to attract new residents.
“However, you will not find such programs in major seaside tourist destinations or in major cities,” says ThinkSpain. “The idea of financially motivating people to settle in municipalities is to prevent a decline in their population and justify the retention or acquisition of facilities that would otherwise be considered unprofitable.”
Many attractive offers are available in Europe. At the end of last year, according to time out, I’Italy announced that it would be exhibiting 30 thousand euros For people who may settle in some of its rural towns. The country also has a One Euro Home Programme, which recently put up eight homes for sale in St. Elia to boost the city’s economy. »
Offers naturally come with conditions. Many prefer, for example, families with children or people who intend to have children once they are settled. They also require assurances about the long-term intent to live there.
Do you want to be paid to move to Italy or Spain? “, Requested euro news In an article that lists six cities looking for new residents. Many rural European regions face population aging, as young people move to cities or choose not to have children. To combat this phenomenon, some local governments encourage foreigners to settle there. »
The following list includes some of the most recent offerings.
Albinen (Arpignon in French), Switzerland
The municipality of Albinen in the Swiss Alps, with a population of less than 250, is offering to pay families more than 50,000 euros so that they can settle there. “The picturesque village is perched on a mountainside in canton Valais, and is just over an hour’s drive from the famous ski resort of Verbier,” he explains. euro news.
The municipality offers 25,000 Swiss francs (25,300 euros) for adults under 45 to settle there and 10,000 Swiss francs (10,120 euros) for each child. The program is initially open to Swiss nationals or eligible foreigners who have lived in Switzerland long enough to obtain a “C permit” for residence.
Candidates must also live in a home worth at least CHF 200,000 (€202,310) and commit to living in Albinen for ten years.
Bunga, Spain
The town of Ponga, located in the Asturias region of northern Spain, offers up to 3,000 euros for families with children and up to 2,000 euros for single people or childless couples. Families added to the population will receive an additional 3,500 euros for each child born in the village.
In the heart of the Cantabrian Mountains, Ponga is a town of 600 inhabitants that boasts a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, popular with hikers, and is an hour’s drive from the coast. The village with its emerald green mountains is known to have witnessed the passage of Celtic culture. It is also known for its high-quality local products, including artisanal cheeses, honey, and charcuterie.
To take advantage of this offer, you must commit to living there for at least five years.
He writes: “The delightful little town of Ponga in the mountains of northern Spain hopes that the new residents will boost the local economy while enjoying two thousand hours of sunshine a year.” time out. Ponga is home to an important nature reserve, which means residents have access to beautiful hiking trails, breathtaking birdwatching, and exciting adventure sports. The nearby Costa Verde offers beach days, while locals can enjoy a more vibrant life in Gijon, which is closer. city. “
Rubya, Spain
The village of Rubia, with a population of 1,400 in northwest Galicia, a two-and-a-half-hour drive east of Santiago de Compostela, will pay new residents (preferably families) up to 150 euros a month to settle there.
The program hopes to increase the number of students in local schools.
Although it is not a well-known destination for foreigners, it offers stunning landscapes and a peaceful lifestyle. The city of Rubia is well connected to the Galicia region and has an airport in Santiago de Compostela with flights to the city of Porto in Portugal.
Cheap rent
The group of expatriates adds two small villages that offer vacant properties at very low rents:
XestaAnd A small village of no more than 100 inhabitants located in the northwest of Spain, “has about 125 vacant homes that it seeks to fill, which is why it offers newcomers to pay only 100 euros in rent.”
The village of Griegos in eastern Spain, with a population of 130, “offers jobs and free rent for three months to newcomers. After that, the rent will be just €225 per month and new residents will get an additional €50 per child between the ages of 4 and 18.” “.
Desperately looking for a digital nomad
After the covid-19 pandemic, digital nomads have become a major target for tourists. “Unlike traditional tourists, remote workers tend to stay in an area for several weeks or months, pumping money into the area’s accommodations, restaurants, supermarkets, gyms, laundries and hair salons.” Travel lifestyle.
To attract them, small towns and villages around the world have implemented special programs, cash payments and other incentives.
According to the site, “Spanish villages will pay digital nomads up to $3,500 to settle in: The national network of host villages, which has about 30 members, is trying to lure foreign remote workers to Spain to provide them with workspaces, high-speed internet and cash for moving expenses.”
The participating villages are “small, cheap and full of charm”. The article states that the cost of living in these places can be as high as $175 per week:
- Benarraba, a city of less than 500 inhabitants located in Malaga, northern Andalusia, and ToluxAnd A picturesque village located in the Sierra de las Nieves, also in Malaga, with a population of only 2,250;
- The town of Oliete, in the Aragonese region, has a population of 343 and offers a “dynamic cultural and gastronomic scene”;
- The village of Kuartango, located in the Gorbeia Nature Park in the Basque Country, has a population of 430;
- Tejada, in the mountainous Canary Islands, is a small town “an hour’s drive from the seaside”;
- San Vicente de la Sonceira is in the region of La Rioja and has a population of 1,030.
some Italian cities
Calabria, Italy’s sunny southwestern region, is offering up to €28,000 to people willing to settle in a village of fewer than 2,000 residents, according to reports. euro news. The initiative aims to combat depopulation and applicants must be 40 years of age or younger and have settled in the area within 90 days of their application being accepted. They also need to start a business or find a job. »
Presicce-Acquarica, Italy
Presicce-Acquarica, in the province of Lecce, in the Apulia region of southern Italy, will pay new residents up to 30,000 euros to settle there and an additional 1,000 euros for each child born there.
The municipality, made up of two towns, Presicce and Acquarica del Capo, is surrounded by countryside and olive groves.
The money will be used to purchase and renovate pre-1991 unoccupied properties in the area (there are several of them) and individuals or families must move their official residence to the city.
The exact details of the project, according to euro news, Applications are being finalized and applications will open on the City Council website later this year.
Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia is offering €15,000 to people willing to settle there in order to tackle the trend of declining rural population.
Famous for its beaches, blue skies and turquoise waters, the Mediterranean region wants to fight mass migration and the government has allocated 45 million euros for the transport plan, enough to cover 3,000 aid.
To benefit from this assistance, you must settle in a municipality of Sardinia with a population of less than 3,000 inhabitants and use the money to buy or renovate a house. Recipients must live there full time and register for permanent residence in Sardinia within 18 months of arrival.
Candela, Italy
Candela, a small town in southeastern Italy, in the Apulia region, with a population of about 2,700 inhabitants, is on the list of “destinations that will save you money to live there” published by Expatrite Group:
“It is one of the safest cities in Italy and has beautiful classic Italian architecture. Candela offers €800 for singles, €1,300 for couples and €2,000 for families to allow them to settle in the village. To be eligible, newcomers will need to rent a property in Candela where they intend to live full-time, and secure a job that will earn them at least 7,500 euros annually. »
Greece financial incentives
“Greece is facing a difficult situation, its population is shrinking and aging,” Digital Émigré wrote. The birth rate is low and many people are leaving the country. This situation weighs heavily on the Greek social security system and makes it more difficult for the country’s economic growth and the search for a sufficient number of qualified workers. »
A Greek island offers incentives to encourage newcomers and combat this trend:
Antikythera Island
On this island, located south of mainland Greece and northwest of Crete, the Greek Orthodox Church devised a plan to get families to settle there.
“The new residents will receive a house and land and will receive 500 euros per month for the first three years of their stay,” the Expatriate Group writes. “The island promises a quiet country life with great beaches and a wonderful Greek climate.”
Translated article from the American magazine Forbes – Author: Cecilia Rodriguez
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