Ever dreamt of packing up and starting fresh in a new country?
What if I told you that some places will actually pay you to do just that?
Sounds like a fantasy, right? But it’s true! Some countries and companies are offering incredible incentives for people to move.
And the benefits? They go beyond just money.
Imagine a better quality of life, exciting career opportunities, and the adventure of living abroad.
In this article, we’ll look at programs and countries that will pay you to relocate. You’ll learn how to apply and what to expect.
So, if you’ve ever thought about starting a new chapter overseas, keep reading. Your next big adventure might be just around the corner!
Why would countries pay you to move there?
Economic Revitalization
Many countries offer incentives to attract new residents and boost their economies.
Take Italy, for example. Some towns are selling homes for just €1.
Why? To revitalise their communities. These small towns have seen populations dwindle as people move to bigger cities.
By offering homes for nearly nothing, they hope to bring in new residents who will spend money locally, renovate properties, and breathe new life into these areas.
It’s a win-win situation. You get an affordable home in a beautiful location, and the town gets a chance to thrive again.
Skill Shortages
Certain regions are desperate for skilled professionals. Think tech experts, healthcare workers, and engineers.
These areas might not have enough local talent to fill important roles. So, they look abroad.
Countries like Germany and Australia often seek out skilled workers to join their workforce.
They might offer relocation packages, visas, and even financial incentives.
Population Decline
Some places are experiencing a population decline due to low birth rates. This can lead to ghost towns and struggling economies.
To combat this, countries like Japan and Spain have started initiatives to attract new residents.
In Japan, rural areas offer incentives to families and remote workers willing to move there.
Spain has previously run similar programmes in its quieter regions, aiming to repopulate and rejuvenate these communities.
By moving to these areas, you help them grow and, in return, you get a fresh start with support from local governments.
These are just a few reasons why countries, communities and companies are willing to pay you to move.
Countries that will pay you to move there
Serious about making the big leap and getting paid to move overseas? Here are some places to consider:
Chile
Chile is a hot spot for entrepreneurs looking to make their mark!
The country has a fantastic programme called Start-Up Chile. It’s designed to attract innovative start-ups from all over the world.
So if you have a budding business idea up your sleeve, perhaps Start-Up Chile is the way you will get paid to move abroad.
Here’s how it works.
Start-Up Chile Program
Start-Up Chile was launched to transform Chile into a global hub for innovation.
The programme offers support to early-stage entrepreneurs.
Whether you have a tech start-up or a creative business idea, this programme might be your golden ticket.
Start-Up Chile has three options: Build, Ignite and Growth. The track you apply for depends how far along your business is.
New entrepreneurs start by applying for Build. If your application is successful, you can be awarded 15 million Chilean pesos (approx. 15K USD) to invest in your business.
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process
So, who can apply?
The programme is open to entrepreneurs from any country.
You need to have a start-up that’s less than three years old. Your project should also be scalable and innovative. You need to be at least 18 and committed to running your startup as a full time job.
To apply, you’ll need to fill out an online application. This includes providing details about your business and your team.
You’ll also need to submit a pitch deck and a short video explaining your project.
If your application impresses the judges, you’ll be invited to an interview before joining the programme.
Benefits and Incentives Offered
What do you get if you’re selected?
First, there’s the money. You could receive up to $100,000 in equity-free funding, depending on the size of your company and which program you apply for.
That’s right – you don’t have to give up any ownership in your company.
You’ll also get a one-year work visa to live in Chile.
Plus, access to office space, mentoring, and a vibrant community of entrepreneurs.
Chile’s Start-Up Chile programme is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs. If you’ve got an innovative idea and a drive to succeed, why not give it a shot?
You might find yourself building your dream business in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Denmark
Denmark is another option if you’re a budding entrepreneur looking for a new country to set up shop in.
The small European nation offers a visa scheme, Startup Denmark, to allow self-employed people and entrepreneurs to move to and work in Denmark from around the world.
It is open to everyone except EU, EEA or Swiss nationals (who don’t need a visa to move to Denmark anyway).
Although the Startup Denmark scheme doesn’t provide financing itself, there is lots of funding available for entrepreneurs from other sources in Denmark such as the Innovation Fund Denmark and the Danish Growth Fund.
Ireland
Ireland is another fantastic destination if you’re looking to get paid to move.
With its friendly people, lush countryside and vibrant culture, it’s a great place to start anew.
If you’re looking to get paid to move to Ireland – and you love the rural life – look into the Living Islands scheme.
This is a government policy to revitalise life on a number of small islands off Ireland’s coast.
There are around 30 islands covered by the policy, with a total population of less than 3,000 people! These islands are culturally significant, and the Irish government wants to see them thrive.
That’s why they are offering grants of €84,000 (around $90,000) for anyone who wants to relocate the islands.
You will need to make the island your primary residence, and live in one of the older, vacant properties there.
If you love the quiet, rural life and can work remotely or start a business in a small community, perhaps a relocation to an Irish coastal island is for you!
However, note that this scheme does not offer visas. You will need to have the right to live in Ireland before you apply.
If you are a UK, EU or Swiss citizen, you automatically have the right to live and work in Ireland.
Coming from the US or elsewhere? You may be eligible for Irish citizenship yourself if one of your parents or grandparents was Irish.
Places in the U.S. that will pay you to move there
One of the great things to come out of the last few years is the boom in remote working.
Many states and communities in the U.S. are taking advantage of this boom to encourage remote workers to move there and revitalise their communities.
There are heaps of grants up for grabs to help you settle into a new community in the United States!
These schemes do not offer immigration support. They are open to US citizens, or foreign nationals who already have the right to live and work in the United States.
If you are hoping to move to America from overseas, you will have to look into how to do that legally before you are eligible for any funding!
West Virginia
Ascend West Virginia is a program developed to encourage remote workers to move to the state. They will pay you a total of $12,000 to move. That’s $10,000 in your first year, and a further $2,000 if you stay a second year.
You will also get access to free coworking space, social events and outdoor activities to help you build a community in your new town.
West Virigina is a beautiful state with mountains, fresh air and hiking trails in abundance. So if you are ready to embrace the outdoor lifestyle, this opportunity seems too good to pass up!
Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Tulsa Remote program is offering a grant of $10,000 to remote workers to relocate. You will be part of a large community of remote workers for support and socialising.
You will receive your grant in monthly installments. Or, if you buy a property in Tulsa, you can request to receive it in a lump sum.
Noblesville, Indiana
This city has been named one of the best places to live in Indiana, and they want to share that with you!
Currently the Noblesville mayor is offering a $5,000 relocation grant for remote workers coming from outside the state.
The grant is actually part of a larger package valued at $15,000!
This includes a year’s membership to a co-working space, the local chamber of commerce, a season pass for two golf courses and the aquatic center, and many more benefits besides.
Floyd County, Indiana
Floyd County is a small town of under 80,000 people, with fabulous scenery and national parks.
If you are self-employed or employed and can work remotely, they are offering an awesome relocation package. This consists of $5,000 cash upfront, a $5,000 Longevity Bonus or a $5,000 Business Start-Up Grant, and five years free membership to a co-working space.
You can find lots more places that will pay you to relocate within the U.S. on this site.
Places that WILL NOT pay you to move in 2024 (viral stories fact-checked!)
When researching this article, I found a lot of similar articles on the web about countries that will pay you to move there – but they all contained extremely outdated and inaccurate information.
Keep in mind that while paid-to-relocate schemes pop up from time to time, many of these schemes were only open for a very short time and are now closed AND/OR have strict qualification requirements that excludes most people from applying.
And in some cases, these schemes never existed and were just some weird internet rumour!
Still, this misinformation keeps getting reposted on websites that do not do their research!
I have researched all these programs thoroughly on official government websites and local forums and news sites.
Here is the truth about some of the ‘fake news’ programs you may have heard of, but which you can’t apply for:
The island of Antikythera in Greece
This beautiful Greek island made waves in the news after it was reported that the local Greek Orthodox Church was sponsoring families to move there, providing them with a free house and €500 ($540) a month!
A 2019 source says that the scheme is not going ahead. Another local source (last updated February 2024) confirmed that the island has not yet welcomed any families. What’s more, the plan was only to accept a very small number of families who would bring essential skills to island life, such as fishermen and bakers.
It seems unlikely the scheme will actually go ahead. I could not find any information on official sources such as the town’s website.
If you’re dreaming of relocating to Greece, I suggest you don’t hold your breath for this one!
Albinen in the Swiss Alps
A story has been doing the rounds since 2017 that the town is offering generous housing benefits and subsidies to young families.
While this is true, the subsidies are only available to non-Swiss nationals if they already hold permanent residency (which requires 5-10 years residence in Switzerland).
So, if you are looking to get paid to move to Switzerland from your home country, you will not be eligible.
The town had to put out a statement to ask people to stop contacting them after being inundated with enquiries from around the world!
Ponga, Asturias, Spain
A lot of articles on how to get paid to relocate claim that the municipality of Ponga in northern Spain will pay €3,000 per person who moves there!
However, this scheme is not mentioned on the town’s ‘Live in Ponga’ website, which is run by the town hall.
Some internet forums confirmed that this is outdated information and the scheme is no longer active in 2024.
Similar stories have been going around about other towns and villages in Spain. I could not find any active programs that pay you to move to Spain in 2024.
Get paid to move to Scotland’s rural islands
In 2021, it was widely reported that the Scottish government was offering grants of £50,000 ($64,000) to young people and families willing to move to remote Scottish islands such as Orkney and the Isle of Skye!
However, a year later the plan was scrapped after opposition from local residents.
Kaitangata, New Zealand
A few years ago, a story went viral that the NZ town of Kaitangata was paying people $160,000 to move there! The mayor was forced to put out a statement saying that the story was untrue.
Unfortunately, the story is still doing the rounds on blogs and news sites that do not check sources.
Italy
Reports have been doing the rounds about various towns in Italy that will pay young families to move there. These include Presicce-Acquarica, Sambuca di Sicilia, Calabria, Santa Fiora in Tuscany and Rieti in Lazaro.
None of these schemes are still open in 2024. I could not find any towns in Italy that will pay you to move there at the time of writing.
In this article, I have only included schemes that are actually active in 2024, where I could find proof from an official source such as a government website.
So, how can you actually get paid to move abroad?
As you can see, countries aren’t actually lining up to throw money at anyone who wants to move there! These opportunities do pop up sometimes, but they are few and far between.
The truth is, there are not that many countries that will pay you to move.
But if you still dream of starting over in a new country, don’t give up hope! Here are some legitimate ways you can make it happen:
Digital nomad visas
The hardest thing about moving overseas is making sure you have the correct visa or residency permit to do it legally.
Contrary to popular belief, you can’t just get on a plane and start a new life in another country!
Some countries do not pay you to move, but they do offer visas for entrepreneurs, remote workers, self-employed people, or digital nomads.
This means you will have the right to live there legally and work remotely on your own things online.
The requirements of each visa vary by country, so check out the official information carefully!
Keep in mind that you may need either proof of savings or proof of income, to show that you can support yourself in your new country.
Here’s a list of popular countries offering digital nomad visas or similar schemes, and links to learn more:
If you are thinking of setting up an online business so that you can work remotely abroad, see this post for ideas:
Teach English overseas
If you’re a native English speaker – especially from a country like the United States, the UK, Canada or Australia – you’re in luck!
Teaching English as a second language is a very, very easy way to get paid to move to another country.
It’s in demand pretty much all over the world, and in many cases, simply being a native speaker is all the qualification you need.
Some places require a Bachelor’s degree or an English teaching qualification (which you can take cheaply online), but this really depends on the country and company.
Most companies will support you with visa applications and all the necessary paperwork, and may even set you up with accommodation.
There are literally hundreds of these schemes all over the world, so you will have to do your own research into opportunities in the country that interests you!
Check job boards/sites like these for more information on English teaching jobs in countries all over the world:
Related post: How to Make Money Teaching English Online
Get paid to study abroad
If you are an undergraduate or graduate student, you could get paid to move overseas with a scholarship or grant to study abroad!
There is a lot of funding available to study at a college or university overseas. Some scholarships are tied to your area of study, your alma mater or your demographic background. It can take a bit of digging to find the right fit, but it will be worth it!
Here are some resources to find out more:
Company transfers
This route is not applicable to everyone. But for those in the right industries, company transfers are an amazing way to get paid to move overseas.
Big multinational companies are the best for this. If you already work for a multinational, it’s worth enquiring about any opportunities to transfer to an international site.
The big advantage of transferring overseas with your company is that they will usually organise everything! Visas/work permits, accommodation, removals services, and so on.
Plus, you will often get generous expenses to cover the cost of moving. And you may even get paid more in your new location, especially if it is considered a ‘hardship’ post!
If you are planning this route for the future, good careers to consider include consulting, finance, tech and hospitality.
If you are earlier in your career, look into paid internships abroad.
Have a job on a shortage occupation list
As you know by now, you generally can’t just rock up in a new country and get a job. You need to make sure you have the legal right to live and work in that country.
And unfortunately for us, most countries don’t give out that right so easily.
One loophole is if you have a very specialised or in-demand job or skill!
Many countries have a ‘skill shortage’ list, of jobs and trades they are lacking among their own population. If you can do one of these jobs, you’re in luck. It’s generally easy to find a job (usually this would be through an international recruiter before you get to the country) and of course, a visa/work permit.
These schemes vary by country so do your own research. Countries offering these schemes include:
- Japan
- Denmark
- Germany
- Portugal
- Ireland
- Australia
- New Zealand
The type of work covered by these schemes also varies by country, but often includes:
- Care workers
- Nurses
- Other medical specialists
- Engineers
- IT specialists
- Skilled trades/craftspeople
Other jobs abroad
Looking for a legit way to work abroad, but you don’t fancy teaching English and can’t get a company transfer?
Here are some other popular jobs/industries for finding work overseas:
- Au pair/nanny
- International aid/development
- Yacht crew
- Ski resorts
- Hospitality
- Tour companies
- International schools
Jobs in some of these sectors, in some countries, recruit internationally and can provide visa support. The requirements will depend what country you come from and what country you want to move to.
Hopefully this list will give you a starting point to do your own research!
Get paid to move overseas: the truth
As you can see, a lot of the rumours going round about how you can get paid to move overseas are just that – rumours.
However, there still are plenty of legitimate ways that you can move abroad – and maybe even get paid to do it!
Whether that’s teaching English abroad, getting a grant to study abroad, an inter-company transfer, or funding to start your own online business – there are opportunities for international go-getters such as you!
Would you like to relocate overseas? Which country would you most like to live in? Please share in the comments below!
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