Portugal Pays People to Move to Rural Areas: How the Emprego Interior MAIS Relocation Program Works in 2026

Portugal continues to attract new residents to the country’s sparsely populated regions. As part of the Emprego Interior MAIS program, the government covers relocation costs and may pay up to €5,000 to those willing to work or run a business in the country’s inland regions. Learn more about the eligibility criteria, available funding amounts, and requirements for applicants

For several years now, Portugal has remained one of the most popular destinations in Europe for people looking to relocate. However, most newcomers choose Lisbon, Porto, or coastal regions, while many of the country’s inland areas continue to lose population. To encourage people to move outside the major cities, the government has launched the Emprego Interior MAIS program, which provides financial support to those willing to work, start a business, or begin a new life in less populated parts of the country.

As of 2026, the program remains available and continues to accept applications. It may be of interest to both Portuguese citizens and foreigners who are legally authorized to live and work in the country. In this article, we explain how Emprego Interior MAIS works, who is eligible to participate, which regions are included in the program, and how to receive government support when relocating.

In a previous article, we discussed new tourist taxes in Europe in 2026 and which countries will require tourists to pay more.

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What is the Emprego Interior MAIS program, and why was it created?

The Emprego Interior MAIS program was launched by the Portuguese government to support economic development in the country’s inland regions. For many years, these areas have faced population decline, aging communities, and labor shortages, as a significant portion of young people move to large cities or abroad.

To make living and working in these areas more attractive, the government offers financial assistance to people willing to relocate. The program’s goal is not only to increase the population but also to support local businesses, create new jobs, and develop the regional economy.

Under the Emprego Interior MAIS program, support is available to individuals who relocate to designated inland regions of Portugal to:

- Take a job under an employment contract

- Start their own business

- Register as self-employed

- Pursue professional activities in the region permanently

The program is administered by the Portuguese Institute for Employment and Professional Training (IEFP) and is part of a broader national strategy to reduce regional inequality. For this reason, support is provided only to participants who relocate to settlements included in the official list of the country’s inland territories.

For many participants, the lower cost of living is an added benefit. In small towns and rural areas of Portugal, housing, utilities, and daily expenses are often significantly cheaper than in Lisbon or Porto, which makes it easier to adapt after moving.

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Which regions of Portugal are considered “inland”?

Participation in the Emprego Interior MAIS program is only possible if you move to one of the regions that the Portuguese government has officially designated as inland areas. These are primarily areas located far from the Atlantic coast and major metropolitan areas, where population density remains low and local authorities are interested in attracting new residents.

The program covers a significant portion of central and eastern Portugal. Among the best-known regions are:

- Bragança

- Guarda

- Castelo Branco

- Portalegre

- Vila Real

- Viseu

- Beja

- Certain municipalities in the districts of Coimbra, Leiria, and Santarém

Many of these areas offer a higher quality of life than large cities. There is less traffic, lower real estate prices, a more relaxed pace of life, and better access to natural landscapes. For example, in some inland municipalities, renting an apartment can cost several times less than in Lisbon.

At the same time, program participants should keep in mind that not all cities in Portugal qualify under the Emprego Interior MAIS program. The most popular destinations among foreigners—Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Faro, and most coastal municipalities—are typically not included in the list of areas eligible for financial support.

Before submitting an application, you must verify whether your chosen place of residence is included in the official list of regions approved by the Portuguese government. Eligibility for program benefits depends on this.

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What kind of financial support is available?

One of the main benefits of the Emprego Interior MAIS program is financial assistance designed to cover the costs of relocation and settling into a new region. The amount of the payments depends on several factors, including the type of employment, family composition, and the participant’s actual expenses.

The basic support is calculated based on the Portuguese Social Assistance Index (IAS), which is reviewed annually by the government. In addition to the basic payment, participants may be eligible for additional allowances for family members who relocate with the applicant.

The program also provides partial reimbursement for expenses directly related to the move. This may include the transportation of personal belongings, family relocation, and other documented expenses.

Financial support may include:

- A basic payment for the program participant

- Additional assistance for a spouse or children

- Reimbursement of relocation expenses

- Support for individuals starting their own business or working as self-employed individuals

It is important to note that funds are not paid out automatically after a change of residence. Applicants must meet the program’s established criteria, submit the required documents, and confirm that they are employed or conducting business activities in a designated inland region.

That is why, before moving, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the current program terms in advance and calculate the potential amount of support based on your specific situation. This will help you assess your actual expenses and plan your move more effectively.

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Who is eligible to participate in the program?

Emprego Interior MAIS is not limited to Portuguese citizens. Foreign nationals who have legal grounds to reside and work in the country are also eligible to participate in the program. That is why this initiative attracts the attention of people who are planning to relocate to Portugal or are already in the country and are considering moving to less populated regions.

The program covers several categories of participants, making it accessible to people with different professional backgrounds and employment statuses.

Employees

The most common category of participants consists of individuals who have secured a new job in an inland region of Portugal. To participate, applicants must sign an employment contract with an employer operating in the relevant territory.

Typically, applicants must confirm that their new place of work is located in a region participating in the program and that the move is related to their employment.

Self-Employed Individuals and Entrepreneurs

Support is also available to people planning to start their own business or work as independent professionals. These may include consultants, IT specialists, designers, marketers, artisans, and representatives of other professions.

In this case, you must officially register your business in Portugal and conduct your activities within the inland region.

Remote Workers

The rise of remote work has significantly expanded the pool of potential program participants. People who work online for companies based in other cities or countries can also consider moving to Portugal’s inland regions if they meet the program’s requirements and can verify their professional activities.

For digital nomads and remote workers, this is an opportunity to combine a lower cost of living with a comfortable Mediterranean climate and high-quality infrastructure.

Foreigners with the right to reside in Portugal

The program is not limited to Portuguese citizens. Foreign nationals who hold a valid residence permit or other legal status allowing them to work or conduct business in Portugal are eligible to apply.

At the same time, it is important to remember that Emprego Interior MAIS is not an immigration program and does not automatically grant the right to a visa or residence permit. You must first regularize your immigration status and only then apply for financial support under the program.

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What requirements must be met?

Despite the program’s relatively simple structure, only applicants who meet the established requirements can receive financial support. Before submitting your documents, it is important to ensure that all criteria are met, as this is the stage where difficulties most often arise.

First and foremost, the move must be related to new professional activities in an inland region of Portugal. This may involve employment under a labor contract, starting a business, or registering as a self-employed individual.

In addition, you must actually change your place of residence. The program is designed to attract new residents to less populated areas, so the applicant must confirm that they have indeed moved to one of the municipalities included in the official list of inland territories.

The main requirements for participants include:

- Having a new job or professional activity in an inland region;

- Actually moving to a territory participating in the program;

- Having the legal right to reside and work in Portugal;

- Submission of documents confirming employment, entrepreneurial activity, or self-employment;

- Compliance with the application deadlines set by the IEFP.

Participants are also advised to keep documents confirming relocation expenses. In some cases, these may be required to receive additional compensation or for verification by the relevant authorities.

Since the program’s terms and conditions are periodically updated, it is advisable to check the current requirements on the official website of the Portuguese Institute for Employment and Professional Training (IEFP) before submitting your application. This will help you avoid mistakes and increase your chances of successfully receiving support.

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How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once you’ve confirmed that you meet the program’s requirements, you can proceed with your application. The application process is fairly straightforward, but it requires preparing supporting documents and carefully filling out the information.

In most cases, the process consists of several main steps:

Step 1. Get a job or register your professional activity

Before applying, you must have a reason to move to an inland region. This can be an employment contract, starting a business, or registering as self-employed.

Step 2. Move to the designated region

Your new place of residence must be in a municipality included in the list of areas covered by the Emprego Interior MAIS program.

Step 3. Prepare the required documents

Depending on your situation, you may need employment documents, proof of residence, business registration documents, a residence permit, and other supporting documents.

Step 4. Submit your application through the IEFP portal

All applications are submitted electronically through the official portal of the Portuguese Institute for Employment and Professional Training. Once submitted, the documents are reviewed.

Step 5. Wait for a decision and receive your payment

Once the application is approved, the participant receives the financial support provided by the program in accordance with the terms and conditions in effect at the time of submission.

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