Can You Really Get Paid to Move to Europe?
Yes… sometimes. Here’s what’s actually real in 2026.
Every few months, an article goes viral claiming you can get paid to move to Europe.
And honestly… it’s not totally wrong.
But it usually skips the important bit:
These are local, targeted incentives, created to bring people back to shrinking towns and rural communities.
They almost always come with conditions, timelines and property commitments.
So let’s separate the headlines from reality and look at what is genuinely available right now.
If you’re already thinking about a move to Europe, this can be a very helpful bonus (just don’t plan your entire relocation around a Facebook post).
Italy – €1 homes, renovation grants and the famous “€100,000” headline
Italy really does run some of the most well-known relocation incentives in Europe.
€1 homes – real, but not cheap
The famous €1 home schemes are run by individual municipalities and are designed to revive historic village centres.
In practice, this usually means:
You must renovate the property
You must submit a renovation plan
There is often a time limit to complete the work
You’ll still pay legal fees, taxes and renovation costs
The €1 is symbolic.
The real commitment is to restoring and living in the property.
Trentino’s “up to €100,000” support
One of the most widely reported programmes is in Trentino.
This is a regional initiative aimed at bringing residents back to under-populated municipalities.
The headline figure is often quoted as:
up to €80,000 towards renovation
and up to €20,000 towards purchase
Important reality check:
This is not a nationwide Italian scheme.
It applies only to specific municipalities and operates as a structured grant programme.
You are expected to:
buy or renovate in an eligible area
meet residency and project requirements
follow the local application process
Sardinia’s home bonus
Sardinia has also introduced incentives aimed at encouraging people to live in smaller towns.
In recent programmes, the incentive is commonly reported as:
up to €15,000 towards buying or renovating a primary residence
in municipalities with small populations
This is designed to attract full-time residents, not holiday-home buyers.
Spain – village grants and the “Empty Spain” movement
Spain has a long-running challenge known as “Empty Spain” large rural areas losing population as people move to the cities.
To address this, some villages offer modest financial incentives.
A well-known example is Ponga in Asturias.
Ponga has been reported as offering:
a small relocation grant (often quoted at around €3,000)
and in some cases additional support linked to families and long-term residency
Across Spain more broadly, different villages and regions offer:
small cash grants
support with housing
assistance for new businesses
help for remote workers willing to relocate
The key point is this:
You normally must register locally and genuinely live in the town.
These schemes are designed to rebuild communities, not to subsidise short stays.
Switzerland – generous on paper, but very restrictive in practice
The Swiss village of Albinen made global headlines for offering relocation incentives.
The published structure includes:
cash incentives per adult and per child
a requirement to buy or build a home locally
a commitment to remain living in the village for several years
However, and this is very important, if you are coming from abroad:
Foreign nationals without permanent Swiss residency status are not normally eligible.
So while the programme itself is genuine, it is mainly relevant to people who already have the right to live in Switzerland long-term.
Greece – a tiny island stipend (very limited places)
The Greek island of Antikythera has attracted attention for offering support to new residents.
Reports describe:
a small monthly stipend (commonly quoted around €500 per month)
and assistance with housing
This is a very small-scale initiative aimed at attracting only a handful of families to a very remote island.
It is not a national Greek policy and availability is extremely limited.
It is best seen as a local social project rather than a mainstream relocation route.
Ireland – refurbishment grants (one of the clearest and most reliable schemes)
Ireland offers one of the most transparent and well-documented programmes.
Through national schemes, buyers can receive:
up to €50,000 to refurbish a vacant home
and up to €70,000 if the property is classified as derelict
This applies across Ireland, with additional focus under the government’s Our Living Islands policy for designated offshore islands.
This is not a payment simply for relocating.
It is specifically designed to:
bring long-term vacant housing back into use
and support sustainable local communities
You must still:
qualify to live in Ireland
buy an eligible property
and meet the refurbishment and occupancy rules
The part most articles don’t mention
Even when the incentive itself is genuine, most people underestimate the real cost of an international move.
In reality, you still need to budget for:
property deposits and staged payments
legal and survey costs
renovation cash flow
residency and registration requirements
and very importantly… moving your money internationally
When you’re transferring large amounts, often in stages, exchange-rate movements can have a much bigger impact on your final budget than any relocation grant.
A quick Moving Currency tip (before you fall in love with a house)
If Europe is even a maybe for you this year:
set up your international payment plan early
understand how your currency will be transferred for deposits, renovations and completion
and consider whether locking in exchange rates makes sense if your purchase is spread over time
We regularly help buyers protect their budget simply by planning their currency strategy before they commit.
So… can you really get paid to move to Europe?
Yes – sometimes.
But it only applies:
in very specific places
under very specific conditions
and usually alongside a property purchase or renovation commitment
Think of these incentives as a helpful nudge, not a relocation salary.
And if you are planning a move and want to understand what your international payments could look like in real numbers, that’s exactly what we help with at Moving Currency.