These 20 Countries That Will Pay You to Move There (2024 Edition)

Moving to a new country can be an exciting and life-changing experience. However, it can also be a costly and daunting process. Fortunately, some countries pay you to move there and offer incentives to attract new residents, including financial compensation, free land, and tax breaks.

There are many reasons why countries offer these incentives. Some may want to boost their population, attract skilled workers, or revitalize rural areas.

Whatever the reason, these incentives can be a great opportunity for those looking to start a new chapter in their lives. In this article, we will explore 10 countries that pay you to move there. From the picturesque villages of Italy to the rugged landscapes of New Zealand, these countries offer a range of incentives for those willing to make the move.

Whether you’re looking for a change of scenery, a new career, or simply a fresh start, these countries may have just what you’re looking for.

A List of 19 Countries That Pay You to Move There

If you’re looking for a change of scenery and an opportunity to start fresh in a new country, you might be surprised to learn that there are a number of countries around the world that will pay you to move there.

These countries offer a variety of incentives, from cash grants to tax breaks, to encourage people to relocate. Before getting really excited about this life, we recommend looking further in to the quality of live and cost of living. Here are 19 countries that pay you to move there.

OCEANIA COUNTRIES THAT WILL PAY YOU TO MOVE THERE

New Zealand

New Zealand’s government offers a program called the New Zealand Global Impact Visa, which provides funding and support to entrepreneurs who want to start businesses in the country. The program offers up to $36,000 in funding, as well as a one-year visa.

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES THAT WILL PAY YOU TO MOVE THERE

Antikythera, Greece

The Greek island of Antikythera has less than 50 inhabitants, and the Greek Orthodox Church will pay you to move there. The church is offering a monthly stipend of 500 euros for three years to anyone who moves to the island and helps to repopulate it.

Ireland

Ireland’s government offers a program called the Irish Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme, which provides funding and support to entrepreneurs who want to start businesses in the country. The program offers up to $50,000 in funding, as well as a one-year visa.

If you believe that your startup has excellent potential for high growth, this offer might be an amazing one. If you do apply and get accepted then you’ll gain thousands in funding. You’ll not only have access to the market of the EU and the Euro but also have an opportunity to live and work in Ireland, which in and of itself is a great chance.

Italy

The Italian government offers a program called the Invest Your Talent in Italy program, which provides funding and support to students and researchers who want to study in the country. The program offers up to $10,000 in funding, as well as a one-year visa.

• Candela, Italy

A once thriving and booming little town, Candela is now at risk of becoming a ghost town so it’s not wonder that it’s on the list of the places that will pay you to move there. With charming winding streets, gorgeous baroque architecture, and old history, Candela is very picturesque and calm. But sadly, it’s been on the decline ever since the 60s, and the 90s were its last bright time when the town had over 8000 inhabitants. Now there are less than 2700, so the town’s mayor is offering money for people to move there.

The offer starts from 800 euros for singles, with over 2000 for whole families of 4 or more, but there’s a slight catch. People that choose to accept this offer have to find a job there with a minimum salary of 7500 euros per year, so it’s not as simple as get paid to move but is a great offer nonetheless.

Switzerland (Albinen)

Similar to other places on this list, the picturesque village of Albinen in the Swiss canton of Valais is facing a declining population of fewer than 250 residents. In an effort to address this issue, the Swiss government has initiated a relocation program, offering financial incentives.

Families who choose to relocate to Albinen can receive up to 25,000 Swiss francs (approximately $27,000) per adult and up to 10,000 francs (around $11,000) per child. However, to qualify for the program, you must be a Swiss citizen or hold a permanent residency permit.

Additionally, you must commit to purchasing a house in the commune and making it your primary residence for a minimum of 10 years.

Portugal

Portugal’s government offers a program called the StartUP Visa, which provides funding and support to entrepreneurs who want to start businesses in the country. The program offers up to $50,000 in funding, as well as a one-year visa.

Sark, Bailiwick of Guernsey (UK)

The island of Sark, part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey in the UK, offers a program called the Sark Society, which provides funding and support to people who want to move to the island. The program offers up to $20,000 in funding, as well as a one-year visa.

Spain (Ponga)

Spain’s government offers a program called the Entrepreneur’s Visa, which provides funding and support to entrepreneurs who want to start businesses in the country. The program offers up to $50,000 in funding, as well as a one-year visa.

Ponga, Spain, also an additional program. This tiny village in Asturias quite literally fits the definition of ‘to get paid to move.’ It’s an old, ancient village, with deep-rooted traditions, and gorgeous climate, but unfortunately it only has a few inhabitants. It has less than 800 people living there, out which less than 50 are under 18 years old.

So the village put up the offer to pay young couples 3000 euros for moving there, and an extra 3000 for every child, either born or moved there with the couple.

The biggest catch is that the family has to legally bind themselves to live in Ponga for at least 5 years, but who would want to live in this tiny slice of heaven. Spain might be one of the easiest countries to immigrate to, but this incentive is an absolutely spectacular opportunity. 

Austria

Austria’s government offers a program called the Red-White-Red Card, which provides funding and support to people who want to move to the country and work. The program offers up to $10,000 in funding, as well as a one-year visa. Austria showing up on the list of countries that pay you to move there is like hitting the jackpot!

Denmark

Hailed as one of the most entrepreneurial-friendly countries in the world, Denmark has started offering incentives for businesses from all across the world to relocate there. Denmark’s government offers a program called the Start-Up Denmark program, which provides funding and support to entrepreneurs who want to start businesses in the country. The program offers up to $50,000 in funding, as well as a one-year visa.

If you plan to move your business to Denmark or start a new one there, you’ll have instant access to their health and welfare systems. Denmark’s entire system is one of the most generous in the entire world and not only that, but you’d have access to one of the largest markets – the European Union.

Estonia

Estonia’s government offers a program called the e-Residency program, which provides funding and support to entrepreneurs who want to start businesses in the country. The program offers up to $50,000 in funding, as well as a one-year visa.

Iceland

Iceland’s government offers a program called the Start-Up Iceland program, which provides funding and support to entrepreneurs who want to start businesses in the country. The program offers up to $50,000 in funding, as well as a one-year

AFRICAN COUNTRIES THAT WILL PAY YOU TO MOVE THERE:

Mauritius

Mauritius may not be the isolated and hidden heaven that in used to be in decades prior, and while most of its beaches may have been explored, its potential hasn’t been. That’s why the government of Mauritius has started a very unique program that offers incentives to startups that might one of the most experimental programs in the world. In order for your startup to be eligible, you have to prove to a committee that your idea is unique, but also viable and has a good chance to grow.

There are different fields that you can apply in, such as technology, business models, finance, innovations, and many more, and depending on how well you present your idea, if you get approved you’ll get a modest allowance of 20.000 Mauritian Rupees.

That might not be a whole lot of money, but relative to the expenses of Mauritius, it will be more than most startups need. In any case, Mauritius is a tropical heaven, and with this type of incentive, it might be hard for some to pass on this offer.

ASIAN COUNTRIES THAT WILL PAY YOU TO MOVE THERE

Japan

Japan’s government offers a program called the Regional Revitalization Program, which provides funding and support to people who want to move to rural areas of the country. The program offers up to $10,000 in funding, as well as a one-year visa.

Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand

These three countries offer very similar incentives which is why they’re grouped together. They are offering programs that are aimed at people from Europe and the United States, and the programs are about teaching English and other courses.

These countries have fully developed programs that have been running for years so applications are streamlined and the process is reasonably quick. There are a few minute details that are different between these countries – Korea pays better generally, while Vietnam and Thailand are cheaper to live. In some cases the programs also provide cheaper flights once you’re done with your position is finished, so that’s a bonus too.

These are several countries that pay you to move for many different reasons by offering many different incentives. These incentives range from financial assistance to housing, and they are designed to attract people who can contribute to the local economy and society.

Moving to a new country can be a daunting experience, but it can also be an exciting opportunity to explore new cultures and lifestyles. By taking advantage of these incentives, and looking for countries that pay you to move there, people can make the transition to a new country smoother and more affordable.

NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES THAT WILL PAY YOU TO MOVE THERE

Chile

Chile’s capital city, Santiago, offers a program called Startup Chile, which provides funding and support to entrepreneurs who want to start businesses in the country. The program offers up to $80,000 in equity-free funding, as well as a one-year visa.

It’s a great place to start a business in, as the taxes are low, the costs are low, and the culture is excellent, and the government has already successfully financed over a thousand businesses that started in Chile. While not the typical incentive to move, it certainly sounds most lucrative, so it certainly deserves on the top of the countries that pay you to move there list.

Canada

Canada’s government offers a program called the Start-Up Visa Program, which provides funding and support to entrepreneurs who want to start businesses in the country. The program offers up to $50,000 in funding, as well as a one-year visa. Canada isn’t really known to struggle with immigration, but the fact that it is one of the countries that pay you to move there is a nice surprise. 

• Saskatchewan, Canada

In an effort to retain more college graduates, this province in western Canada started offering intriguing incentives. If you’re a college graduate that’s graduated no earlier than 2011, then you might just be eligible for the offer. Saskatchewan offers non-refundable tax returns of $20,000 CAD, but only if your post-secondary school is on the list of approved institutions.

Applying is easy and quick, and if you are accepted you can immediately move there. The credit is paid in increments over a period of 10 years, during which you have to live in Saskatchewan.

United States

• New Haven, Connecticut

While the US is not one of the easiest countries to immigrate to,  there are many cities that offer great incentives if you’re looking to relocate yourself and your family there.

A beautiful city that offers excellent incentives, anyone wishing to relocate to New Haven will be offered $10.000 in an interest-free loan, with an extra $2,500 if they’re a city employee, teacher, police officer, firefighter, or military member.

If that wasn’t enough, they’re also offering an extra $30,000 for anyone wanting to make energy-efficient upgrades, and also free tuitions for local public school graduates for the students of the families that have relocated there. The catch is that your income can’t exceed over 120% of the city’s median income.

Alaska

A very broad offer when it comes to people that want to get paid to move. It’s not just a single city or place, but rather the entire state of Alaska. This has been described as an investment on the part of the state of Alaska, to help ensure the stability of the region.

Not many people usually want to move to Alaska, mostly because of the cold weather, but on the question of how much do you get paid to live in Alaska, the question slightly varies year after year.

The fund that pays people to move there has been up for decades and has a guaranteed a minimum of $800. If you choose to take up on the offer you have to have lived in Alaska for a year and to be present there for 190 days per the calendar year, but it’s otherwise a great offer.

Vermont, USA

The state of Vermont in the USA offers a program called the Remote Worker Grant Program, which provides funding and support to people who want to move to the state and work remotely. The program offers up to $10,000 in funding, as well as a one-year visa.

It is important to note that each country has its own eligibility criteria and application process, so it is essential to research and understand the requirements before making any decisions. It is crucial to consider the cultural, social, and economic factors of the country before making a move. Regardless of whether these 19 countries that will pay you to move there, it’s not going to be a fit if the country doesn’t fit you.

Moving to a new country can be a life-changing experience, and the incentives offered can make the transition easier. With proper research and planning, people can take advantage of these opportunities in a new country.