These 20 Countries That Will Pay You to Move There (2025 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. This article will explore 19 countries that pay you to move there.

From the picturesque villages of Italy to the stunning landscapes of Thailand, 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 20 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.

Things to Know About Countries 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 excited about this life, we recommend looking further into the quality of life, cost of living, political climate, and how easy it might be to get a job in your field.

Not all the countries on the list below offer incentives to move to major cities- most are there to entice people to relocate to smaller towns due to population decline.

Here are 20 countries that pay you to move there.

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES THAT WILL PAY YOU TO MOVE THERE

From skill shortages to population decline to wanting to bolster the start-up ecosystem to post-secondary education, most countries want to entice people to consider moving there.

As a result, there are many different ways to get paid to move to any of these European countries.

Antikythera, Greece

This is your chance to live on a Greek island and learn all the history and culture available at your fingertips while being one of the very few people on the island.

Can you imagine having an entire Greek island to explore? An entire white sand beach to yourself?

The stunning Greek island of Antikythera is currently paying popular decline and has less than 50 inhabitants, and to bolster the number of residents on the island, the Greek Orthodox Church will pay you to move there.

The Incentive: The Greek Orthodox Church offers a house and a monthly stipend of 500 euros for three years to anyone who moves to the island and helps to repopulate it.

Ireland

Have you ever fantasized about ditching everything and living on a remote island? If so, this could be your chance to make it a reality.

The Incentive: Ireland is offering a grant of up to €84,000 ($92,297) to anyone who decides to settle down on one of its beautiful coastal islands.

These grants are similar to those provided by Siciliy, where you have to purchase a home on the island, and perfect for those who want to escape to a remote destination and work on their properties.

Italy

The Italian government offers 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 no 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 Incentive: 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 who 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 getting paid to move but is a great offer nonetheless.

Switzerland (Albinen)

Like other places on this list, the picturesque village of Albinen in the Swiss canton of Valais faces 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.

The Incentive: 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 a path for startup founders with long-term visas and access to incubators and government grants.

Croatia (Legrad)

Croatia is currently dealing with population decline in one of its rural towns- Legrad, and as a way to combat that, they are offering essentially free homes.

Legrad, Croatia, is a charming, small village with a peaceful atmosphere in the countryside. It’s a place where you can experience rural Croatia’s laid-back, traditional lifestyle.

The Incentive: For those under 40, Croatia presents a rare deal in Legrad: a house for just $0.16 and a contribution of $4,000 towards renovation costs, with certain eligibility criteria.

England

Imagine a new life in England, where history and modernity intertwine in cities and countryside alike. As part of the countries that will pay you to move there, England is addressing a significant need in its education sector.

The gap? Teachers, especially in languages and physics, are in high demand. England is looking beyond its borders for talent to uphold its esteemed education standards.

The Incentive: Here’s the deal – if teaching languages or physics is your thing, England is offering £10,000 to help you relocate. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance educational quality while giving international educators the opportunity to experience life in a nation celebrated for its cultural richness and historical landmarks.

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 Incentive: The relocation program offers up to $20,000 in funding and a one-year visa.

Spain (Ponga)

Ponga, Spain, is offering an enticing relocation 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 a gorgeous climate, but unfortunately, it only has a few inhabitants.

Less than 800 people live there, out of which less than 50% are under 18 years old.

The Incentive: The village offered to pay young couples €3000 for moving there and an extra €3000 for every child born or moved there with the couple.

Additional Incentive: Spain’s government offers the Entrepreneur’s 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 and a one-year visa.

The biggest catch is that the family has to legally bind themselves to live in Ponga for at least 5 years, but who wouldn’t want to live in this tiny slice of heaven?

Spain might be one of the easiest countries to immigrate to, but this incentive is a spectacular opportunity. 

Austria

Austria’s government offers a program called the Red-White-Red Card, which provides funding and support to highly skilled people who want to move to the country and work. Additionally, certain employers provide relocation bonuses- essentially paying you to move there.

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.

The Incentive: Denmark’s government offers a program called the Start-Up Denmark program, which supports entrepreneurs who want to start businesses in the country.

While the program doesn’t provide funding, businesses in Denmark can apply for grants and public funding.

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 is an underrated gem of a country in Europe. With a great quality of life, free healthcare and education and a thriving tech sector, Estonia is on the top of the list of countries to move to.

The Incentive: Estonia’s government offers the e-Residency program, which provides funding and support to entrepreneurs who want to start businesses there. The program offers up to $50,000 in funding and a one-year visa. This essentially pays you to move to Estonia and start your dream business.

Iceland

Iceland is one of the most magical countries in the world. Yes, the tax rate and the cost of living are higher than in most places, but the quality (did we mention free healthcare and education) is some of the best in the world.

The Incentive for Students: Studying in Iceland provides students with a quality education and the opportunity to immerse themselves in a unique and dynamic culture. Icelandic universities are recognized globally for their academic excellence and research opportunities. Most universities offer travel and sustenance grants as well.

African Countries That Will Pay You to Move There

Mauritius

Mauritius may not be the isolated and hidden heaven that it used to be in decades prior, and while most of its beaches may have been explored, its potential hasn’t been.

The Incentive: That’s why the government of Mauritius has started a unique program that offers incentives to startups that might be one of the most experimental programs in the world.

For your startup to be eligible, you must prove to a committee that your idea is unique, viable, and has a good chance to grow.

You can apply in different fields, 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 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 is currently facing a similar low birth rate and population decline issue (similar to South Korea).

While the country does not offer a straightforward pathway to citizenship that countries like Canada do, they have recently revamped their visa process and created a class of skill labour visa that allows the visa holder to renew indefinitely.

This allows foreign high skilled workers to stay in Japan without having to leave after 5 years (which was an issue before).

The Incentive: 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 to move there.

This incentive, combined with the new visa offering, essentially pays you to move to Japan.

Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand

These three countries offer very similar incentives, so they’re grouped together. They offer programs 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 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 your position is finished, so that’s a bonus, too.

Several countries 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 and 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

If we had to pick a place to move to in South America, Chile would be it.

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.

The Incentive: 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 and a one-year visa.

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 and a one-year visa.

Canada isn’t 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 no earlier than 2011, 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 you can immediately move there if you are accepted. 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 free tuition for local public school graduates for the students of the families that have relocated there.

The catch is that your income can’t exceed 120% of the city’s median income.

• Alaska

It is a very broad offer when it comes to people who 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 minimum of $800. If you choose to take up the offer, you have to have lived in Alaska for a year and be present there for 190 days per calendar year, but it’s otherwise a great offer.

• Rochester, New York

Welcome to Rochester, a city where innovation meets history, set against the backdrop of New York’s scenic landscapes. As part of the global trend of countries that will pay you to move there, Rochester, USA, is making an exciting proposition.

The city, known for its rich culture and dynamic economy, is facing a unique opportunity. They’re seeking talented individuals ready to contribute to the growth of their community.

The Incentive: Rochester offers up to $15,000 to people ready to move there. This initiative, known as the “Move to Rochester grant,” is not just about cash; it includes home buyer grants and tailored programming for new residents.

It’s a call for skilled individuals looking to make a mark in sectors like manufacturing, health imaging, and smart energy.

• 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 and 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 20 countries 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. People can take advantage of these opportunities in a new country with proper research and planning.