LIST: Want to live abroad? These countries are willing to pay you to do so
Want to move to another country?
Many people are dreaming of being able to do so. Some simply want to change their environment or live with their loved ones. Others, meanwhile, want to look for better opportunities for work, studies, or both.
Whatever the reason, it's not something anyone can do in the blink of an eye. There are certain concerns that need to be considered. If, for you, one of them is money, did you know there are places that would love for you to live there, so much so that they'd be willing to pay you—if not put up sweet deals?
Here's a list of countries that have such offers, including necessary conditions and other requirements.
Chile
Chile is looking for founders of startups to "empower" via its "Start-Up Chile" accelerator program.
The program, established in 2010, is offering three kinds of grants to startups that are "technology-based, innovative, scalable, and high-impact":
- Build, a four-month program that provides 15 million Chilean pesos (PhP 891,000) to early-stage startups;
- Ignite, a four-month program offering CLP 25 million (PhP 1.4 million) to startups with already a functional product three years into development, plus a chance to get CLP 20 million (PhP 1.2 million) to sustain its growth; and
- Growth, an eight-month program granting equity-free CLP 75 million (PhP 4.4 million) to established companies.
Chile said the program saw 2,000 startups comprising 5,000 alumni across 85 different countries.
You can apply for it here.
Greece
The Greek island of Antikythera is looking to increase its resident count, as there are less than a hundred people there.
The island, which is situated along the Aegean Sea (between Crete and the Greek mainland) and is 45 minutes away from the capital Athens, is offering 500 euros (PhP 33,000) to applicants monthly for three years. That's a total of 18,000 euros (PhP 1.1 million) of payment.
The Travel, a tourism-focused outlet of the Canada-based Valnet, reported that applicants must have at least four children. It didn't explicitly require marriage.
Applicants who are skilled in baking or fishing are preferred.
Since the island is remote, there's limited access to medical care, culture, and educational and job opportunities. Residents have to rely mostly on the island's resources for survival. Traveling is also generally via ferry and boat services, which take hours back and forth.
Know more about the program and submit your application to Antikythera officials by calling their office first at 00302736033004.
Ireland
Ireland has an "Our Living Islands" program, which has the goal of revitalizing the population of its 30 offshore islands amid a trend of depopulation.
Locals and foreigners may participate in the program, which has a few caveats.
They must buy a vacant house on the island by themselves. The Irish government can only give a grant of up to €50,000 (PhP 3.3 million), with a top-up of up to €20,000 (PhP 1.3 million), for refurbishment costs under its Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
The program doesn't facilitate immigration or resettlement to Ireland itself. Interested parties must observe residency requirements in the country, as detailed on the Irish Immigration Service website.
Moreover, the islands are far from the mainland and without enough bridges or roads, they require boats or planes for travel.
Know more about the program here. For inquiries, email oileain@drcd.gov.ie.
Italy
Ollolai town on Sardinia island in Italy, meanwhile, is offering individuals to stay in houses there for a symbolic €1 (PhP 66) in exchange for providing knowledge to the population through presentations, classes, and projects related to their respective fields.
According to its website, eligible applicants include professionals and entrepreneurs with multiple years of experience in professional services, such as in the field of technology, media, finance, real estate, and architecture, as well as professional artists, writers, musicians, scientists, and academics in general.
They may stay up to a maximum of one month, and the government said it may evaluate case-by-case requests for longer stays.
Guests, however, must cover other expenses like food, utilities, deposit, and travel.
Ultimately, they may purchase a property there.
The program is also in line with Italy's digital nomad visa program, which is intended for non-EU citizens who intend to work remotely while living in Italy.
You can apply for the program here.
Canada
The Canadian province of Saskatchewan has a graduate retention program that aims to provide tax rebates to college graduates.
Those who graduated on or after Oct. 1, 2024, may be eligible for up to 24,000 Canadian dollars (PhP 985,000), while those who graduated before that date may receive up to CAD 20,000 (PhP 821,000).
They must also have graduated from an approved post-secondary program or at least six months of full-time study at an eligible post-secondary institution and results in a certificate, diploma, undergraduate degree or journeyperson certification. They must also be moving to Saskatchewan, and file income tax.
In effect, applicants may stay in the province for 10 years.
Know more about the program and download the application form here.
Japan
Did you know that the Japan government has a Regional Revitalization Corps program amid the country's declining population?
First launched in 2008, the program offers applicants to live and work in the countryside for one to three years for ¥3 million (PhP 1.1 million), on top of bonuses for living expenses.
As The Japan Times detailed in its 2024 report, contracts follow two patterns: a standard contract that makes the corps member a normal employee, and a sole proprietor contract that classifies the corps member as a freelancer.
The terms are determined by each locality and allow for some negotiation flexibility. Members are also encouraged to remain in the area by starting private businesses or resettling after their contracts end.
The major requirement for the program is a high level of fluency in Japanese, both written and spoken.
Know more about it here.
Mauritius
Looking to start your own business? Mauritius is seeking to fund entrepreneurs who wish to start and grow their respective brands there.
Located off of east Madagascar, the island country is offering 20,000 Mauritian rupees (PhP 24,800) to anyone who can present a promising business idea to the government.
Applicants must also fulfill the necessary visa requirements for their stay.
The program is part of the Mauritius Business Growth Scheme, which was designed to address the challenges of a slowing economy and the emigration of talent from the island.
Know more about the offer here.
Switzerland
Switzerland's municipality of Albinen has a "Housing and Family Support" program that aims to incentivize people to live there.
It's willing to offer 25,000 Swiss francs (PhP 1.7 million) per adult below 45 and 10,000 Swiss francs (PhP 705,000) per child to families who wish to relocate to the mountain community.
They, however, are required to apply for permanent residency and purchase a property that will serve as their primary residence for a minimum of 10 years.
Know more about the program here.
Spain
The Spanish autonomous community of Extremadura has a "Live in Ambroz" program offering assistance to people wishing to reside and work remotely from there.
The grant is mainly focused on those who are working in the tech industry. But there's a catch: They must not have lived in Extremadura within the last six months and they must be a legal resident of Spain with a foreign identity number. Non-EU nationals must get a digital nomad visa and official residency before they become eligible for the program.
According to authorities, women and individuals under 30 would receive €10,000 (PhP 663,000), while others would get €8,000 (PhP 530,000). During the third year of stay, there'd be an additional grant of €5,000 (PhP 331,000) to the former, and €4,000 (PhP 265,000) to the latter.
Know more about the program here.
Croatia
The rural Croatian town of Legrad, which is home to about 2,000 residents, wants to increase that number. Mayor Ivan Sabolic previously said they've become a border town with few transport connections to other places.
They are not exactly offering to pay you to move there, but they have been offering prospective inhabitants a house for a symbolic one kuna (PhP 8).
Interested applicants must be below 45, be in a marital or extramarital partnership, must not have a criminal record, and must not own any other property, per Forbes.
On top of that, they'd be in charge of renovations and other living expenses.
According to Reuters, the town said it would pay 25,000 kuna (PhP 220,000) for refurbishments. It's also willing to cover up to 35,000 kuna (PhP 308,000), if not the 20% of the price of the house.
It requires individuals to commit to staying at least 15 years.