Across Europe, more and more small towns are launching support programs for new residents. Some of them offer financial grants, reduced rents, or housing assistance to stem the outflow of population. Learn more about the cities and programs that are ready to pay for relocation in 2026

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In recent years, many European regions have faced population decline, especially in small towns and villages. Young people are moving to large metropolitan areas, and some settlements are gradually losing economic activity, jobs, and infrastructure.

To reverse this trend, local authorities are launching incentive programs for new residents: rent compensation, grants for housing repairs, financial support for families or entrepreneurs. Some of these initiatives have already closed the application process, but some programs remain relevant for 2026, and we will talk about them further.

Earlier we told you that the EU has approved the first ever visa policy strategy.

Are you planning to move, work or stay in the EU for a long time and don't know where to start?

To avoid getting lost in the changes to visa and migration policy, use the immigration guide from Visit World. It contains up-to-date information on obtaining a residence permit and citizenship in different countries, step-by-step instructions, requirements for applicants, a list of documents, deadlines and costs. The guide will be sent to your email in PDF format in just a few minutes and will help you plan your legal move without unnecessary stress.

A Tuscan town helps with renting and buying housing

A small town in Tuscany (Italy) has launched a financial program to attract new residents and fight depopulation. The format of the initiative does not provide for “houses for 1 euro” - housing is sold at the market price, but newcomers can receive real financial support.

The city government has allocated more than €400,000 for the program. New residents can count on compensation of up to 50% of the rent for the first two years, financial assistance for the purchase of housing, as well as separate grants for energy-efficient solutions and green energy connections.

The conditions for participation in the program are as follows:

- The minimum period of residence for tenants is 4 years, for homeowners - 10 years;

- Participation is available only to those who plan to use the housing as their primary residence;

- The number of places in the program is limited.

Since the launch of the program, about 60 people have moved to the city, which is significant for a community with a population of less than 1,000 residents. Currently, about 100 houses remain empty in the city, so the authorities continue to recruit new applicants.

Relocation programs in rural areas of Spain

There are projects in Spain that help people move to sparsely populated communities and simplify communication with local authorities. They do not pay money “for the move itself,” but reduce start-up costs and help to find housing, work, or business opportunities in specific municipalities.

Some programs are targeted at entrepreneurs: municipalities are interested in opening new services and are ready to offer affordable housing, assistance with utilities, and support at the start-up stage. Other platforms work as aggregators of offers: from houses in rural areas to vacancies and plots of land.

The following conditions should be considered before applying:

- You must have the legal right to live and work in Spain;

- A clear business idea is required to participate in programs for entrepreneurs;

- Most communities expect long-term residence, not temporary relocation;

- The amount of support depends on the specific municipality (housing, work, business assistance).

These initiatives are convenient for those who plan to move to rural Spain for several years or permanently and want to reduce the financial burden at the start.

In the previous article, we provided information on the most expensive cities in the world to live in in 2026 according to Numbeo.

Ireland pays up to €70,000 to restore houses on the islands

Ireland has launched a government support program for those willing to settle on remote islands and restore abandoned buildings. The initiative is aimed at increasing the permanent population of the islands and restoring the housing stock that has been empty for years.

Under the program, you can get a grant of up to €50,000 to repair a house. If the housing is in a state of disrepair and requires large-scale reconstruction, the amount of support can increase to €70,000. Funds are allowed to be spent exclusively on repair and construction work: insulation, structural reinforcements, and upgrading of engineering systems.

Basic requirements for participants:

- You need to buy and own a house on one of the islands;

- The building must have been constructed before 2007 and must have been empty for at least 2 years;

- The funds received can only be used for repairs and restoration;

- The building must be used as a permanent residence or for long-term rental.

The program is available for 30 islands that do not have a bridge connection to the mainland. Before participating, it is worthwhile to realistically assess the living conditions: access to shops, medicine and transportation is limited, and logistics depend on weather conditions.

In the previous article, we provided a rating of the top 10 tourist destinations according to Time Out for travel in 2026.

Sardinia offers money for housing, business, and childbirth

The regional government of Sardinia has launched an anti-depopulation program for small towns with a population of up to 3,000 residents. The goal is to encourage people to move permanently, restore housing, and launch local businesses.

Those who move to such communities can receive up to €15,000 to buy or renovate a house, provided they live there for at least 5 years. There are separate payments for families with children and support for entrepreneurs who create jobs for local residents.

The following incentives are available under the program:

- Up to €15,000 for the purchase or repair of housing in towns with up to 3,000 residents;

- A monthly payment of €600 for the first child and €400 for each subsequent child until the child reaches the age of 5;

- Up to €20,000 to start a business that creates jobs in the community;

- A prerequisite is actual residence in the community for at least 5 years.

The program is not suitable for short-term relocation: the authorities are counting on those who are ready to establish themselves in the region for a long time and integrate into the local economy.

Scottish island offers work with free housing

In Scotland (UK), vacancies periodically appear that combine work in a nature reserve and living on a remote island. This is not a classic relocation program from the municipality, but a real opportunity to live in an isolated area with housing costs covered.

One example is a seasonal ranger position on a small island off the coast. The candidate is provided with free housing and a salary of about €5,000 per month. The island is located a few minutes by boat from the mainland, but there are no permanent residents there - only employees and wildlife.

What does this offer include:

- Free accommodation in a staff house on the island;

- Contract for several months (approximately six months);

- Responsibilities for monitoring birds and the state of natural areas;

- Difficult logistics: food, household services and fuel have to be brought in by boat;

- Limited access to shops, medical care, and communication.

This format is suitable for those who want to temporarily change their lifestyle, work in nature, and live away from urban infrastructure without spending money on renting a house.

Planning to move or legalise your status? Use our proven guide!

To live legally in another country, expats need to obtain a residence permit, which may eventually entitle them to citizenship. The procedures, requirements and deadlines vary depending on the country and the reason for moving.

You can find up-to-date and structured information on obtaining a residence permit or citizenship in any country in the immigration guide from Visit World. In PDF format, you will receive step-by-step instructions, a list of documents, costs and processing times, applicant requirements, rules for filling out forms, practical advice and status benefits — all delivered to your email in just a few minutes.

If you are considering moving or staying abroad for a long time, purchase the immigration guide from Visit World and prepare in advance!

We remind you! Electronic travel authorisations, extended visa-free travel, digital arrival cards instead of paper forms — in 2026, border crossing rules in many countries will change again. Travel will not become more difficult, but it will require more advance preparation. Read about the new travel rules in 2026 at the link.

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Travel guide for 200 countries;

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Travel insurance around the world (please select the country of interest and citizenship to receive services);

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