Can you picture yourself working by the grasslands of Ireland or attending meetings with the Swiss mountains in the backdrop? Cities and countries around the world have been offering incentives for people to move. And more and more destinations are opening up every year. From homes at unbelievable prices to space in local coworking communities, there are a host of perks available, along with an attractive grant to help with relocation. So if you’re considering your options, here are 13 countries that will pay you to move:

Portugal

The Employment Interior Mais program welcomes foreign expats as well as citizens who are willing to move to Portuguese interiors. You can claim one-time financial support of up to €4,827 (Rs4,29,183), which includes a direct grant of €2,633 (Rs2,34,107) with subsequent increases for relatives and commute. There are also benefits like an initial support for relocation.

Switzerland

Since 2017, expats under the age of 40 can claim CHf 25,000 (Rs22,74,132) for housing in the town of Albinen. This amount can be payable over a period of 10 years after the start of house construction or purchase.

Sicily, Italy

Italy launched its €1 (Rs88) houses project in 2019 to repopulate its dying villages. Under this project, Sicily, along with other destinations such as Sardinia and Abruzzo, are all selling off homes for less than Rs100. But you have to renovate these homes at your own cost within a certain timeframe.

Presicce, Italy

The Welcome to Presicce-Acquarica program is granting funds to those who buy a house in the small town. Faced with a thinning population, Presicce is offering a contribution of 60% of your new property’s value, as long as it’s under €30,000 (Rs26,60,100).

Oklahoma, United States

Tulsa in Oklahoma pays remote workers employed outside Oklahoma to work from the city. It offers a grant of $10,000 (Rs8,22,965), free desk space in coworking communities and access to networking events.

Minnesota, United States

The city of Bemidji is offering a remote worker program that reimburses moving and telecommunication expenses for up to $2,500 (Rs2,05,749) in the form of utilities, reimbursements and grants. Expect facilities like internet access; membership to a local coworking space; and the Community Concierge Program, which helps you mingle with the local community.

Alaska, United States

Alaska’s grant has been in place since 1967, and is called the Permanent Fund Dividend. If you move to Alaska, you can qualify for the annual dividends of around $1,600 (Rs1,31,679) from the state’s mineral royalties. In 2022, the dividend increased to $3,284 (Rs2,70,272).

Vermont, United States

The Remote Worker Grant scheme reimburses up to $7,500 (Rs6,17,213) for relocation-related expenses such as renting, moving and shipping.

Kansas, United States

Topeka, Kansas, offers up to $10,000 (Rs8,23,096) in funds for renting a house in the first year, and up to $15,000 (Rs12,34,644) for purchasing one.

Iowa, United States

The Newton Housing Initiative offers an incentive to buy a house and settle in the Iowan city. If you buy a house valued at $1,90,000 (Rs1,56,38,824) or more, you will receive a $10,000 (Rs8,23,096) cash incentive on it.

Alabama, United States

If you make over $52,000 (Rs42,67,957) a year and decide to work from Muscle Shoals (a city in Alabama), the local authority will grant you $10,000 (Rs8,20,761) over a period of one year to help with the move.

Countries that will pay if you start a business

Ireland

Ireland is a great place for young entrepreneurs to move and start a business. The country provides aid and support for college-based researchers and grants for small to medium businesses for setup, digitisation and more. The grant depends on the goal of the business as well as the eligibility criteria. More details here.

Chile

Start-Up Chile offers people with unique business ideas up to $300,000 (Rs2 crore) CLP funding. The grant is awarded to people irrespective of nationality, but the business needs to be founded in Chile. You will also have to stay in Chile for at least 12 months during the project you receive a grant for.