You can get paid $15,000 to move to this idyllic Italian island, but there's a catch (2024)

If you've ever dreamed of living la dolce vita — the sweet life — in Italy, now's your chance to get paid for it...sort of.

The government of Sardinia, Italy, is prepared to pay people €15,000 each (about $14,767) to move to the Mediterranean island.

According to a translated press release, Sardinia is setting aside €45 million to subsidize 3,000 grants of up to $15,000 each.

"We have created the conditions for young people to decide to stay and [develop] the economic fabric of the most fragile territories," Christian Solinas, Sardinia's president, stated in the translated press release.

Here's what you need to know

Getting $15,000 to move to Italy sounds excellent, but this offer does have a catch.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Move to a Sardinian town with a population of fewer than 3,000 people
  • Put the $15,000 towards renovating a home
  • Live there full-time
  • Register Sardinia as your permanent residence within 18 months

Sardinia isn't the only Italian town offering money to lure new residents.

In the region of Calabria, new residents were promised $33,000 each, while in the village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, people were offered up to $52,022 in grants to move and work there.

"The goal is to boost the local economy and breathe new life into small-scale communities,"Gianluca Gallo, a regional councilor, told CNN in 2021.

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You can get paid $15,000 to move to this idyllic Italian island, but there's a catch (2024)

FAQs

You can get paid $15,000 to move to this idyllic Italian island, but there's a catch? ›

You can get paid $15,000 to move to this idyllic Italian island, but there's a catch. Sardinia is paying people almost $15,000 to move to the Italian city. If you've ever dreamed of living la dolce vita — the sweet life — in Italy, now's your chance to get paid for it... sort of.

Which island in Italy is paying people to move there? ›

The Italian island of Sardinia is offering people €15,000 to relocate there. Known for its sandy beaches, blue skies and turquoise waters, the Mediterranean idyll faces dwindling rural population numbers, as young locals move abroad for work.

Is Sardinia actually paying people to move there? ›

Get Paid $16,000 To Move To Sardinia, Italy

With an increasing number of Sardinian villages facing a depopulation crisis, the regional government has introduced a scheme to lure new residents. Applicants who move to a settlement with under 3,000 inhabitants will receive a payment of up to €15,000 ($16,000).

Which island in Italy is offering 15k? ›

Sardinia, a sizable island off the coast of Italy, is offering potential new residents €15,000 ($14,585) to relocate. In response to a shrinking population, Sardinia's government is aiming to boost residential numbers with a new initiative, according to Forbes.

Can you really get paid to move to Italy? ›

CALABRIA REGION, ITALY:

To combat population decline, the Calabria region – situated on the tip of the “boot” if you look at the map, northeast of Palermo – is offering new residents a relocation grant of up to €28,000 (~$30,000) over a period of three years. That's about $10,000 per year to help you get settled in.

Is the government giving money to move there in Italy? ›

With an aim to combat the trend of declining population, an Italian region named Calabria has a unique plan to provide €28,000 (about Rs 25 lakh) to individuals who are open to moving to small villages.

Is Italy paying $33,000 to move there? ›

Calabria, Italy, villages will pay you $33,000 to move in | CNN Travel. Santa Severina: A network of villages in the southern Italian region of Calabria wants to pay people up to $33,000 to move there. Among them is Santa Severina, perched atop a hill.

What city will pay you $15000 to move and work there? ›

Topeka, Kansas

The city of Topeka is paying people up to $15,000 to move there and take a job. They have special programs for veterans, people who used to live in Topeka, and those who get a job paying at least $50,000.

How to move to Italy for free? ›

How to Move to Italy with No Money
  1. Obtain a Work Visa. ...
  2. Use a “Get Paid to Move to Italy” Program. ...
  3. Trade Work for Food & Accommodation with Workaway. ...
  4. Find Remote Work or Take Your Job Remotely to Italy. ...
  5. Use Your Family Connections. ...
  6. Apply for the new digital nomad visa.
May 2, 2024

What Italian town will pay you? ›

This Italian town will pay you €30,000 to move in

Italy is pulling out all the stops when it comes to attracting new residents. The mayor of the village of Presicce, in the province of Lecce, is offering a 30,000 euro bonus to anyone who wishes to buy a villa and move to his little spot of heaven.

What Italian town is offering $30 K to anyone who moves there? ›

Presicce-Acquarica - a municipality comprising the two towns of Presicce and Acquarica del Capo - lies at the southern tip of Italy's Puglia region. Like many small towns, it has been suffering a dwindling population as residents have relocated to cities in search of better job opportunities.

Where is Italy cheapest to land? ›

The cheapest city to fly into is Rome, and the cheapest airport serving this city at the moment is Rome Fiumicino.

Which is the best island to retire in Italy? ›

Sardinia: Pristine Beaches and Tranquil Island Living

Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean, is known for its stunning beaches, rugged coastline, and rich cultural heritage, making it an ideal retirement destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Can I move to Italy as a US citizen? ›

Absolutely, Americans can move to Italy. However, this journey entails navigating through various visa requirements and legalities. Italy, like many European countries, has specific visa categories depending on the purpose of your stay.

Can I move to Italy without a job? ›

The foreign nationals who apply for an elective residence visa have to prove they have sufficient financial means (at least € 31,000 per year) from pensions, savings, or other sources to provide for themselves. If you apply for the elective residence visa, you are not allowed to work in Italy.

Can I move to Italy as a retiree? ›

Can a retired US citizen live in Italy? The short answer to this question is, yes, it is possible for a retired US citizen to live in Italy. Immigration-wise, this goal is achieved most of the time via the Elective residence visa.

How much does the government pay to move to Sardinia? ›

Sardinia is paying people almost $15,000 to move to the Italian city. If you've ever dreamed of living la dolce vita — the sweet life — in Italy, now's your chance to get paid for it...

Which Italian town is paying $30,000 to live there? ›

The charming Italian town of Pressice-Acquarica, located in the southern Puglia region, or the bit that makes up Italy's boot, is offering €30,000 (roughly $32,500) to move there. The financial incentive is part of an effort to combat population, a problem that is plaguing many of Italy's small, rural towns.

Does Albinen pay you to live there? ›

Albinen. Albinen, a charming town in Switzerland, invites people to move there and even pays for it to increase its population. Expats under 45 years of age are offered 20,000 Swiss Francs or around USD 21,000 for moving, and 10,000 Swiss Francs, or approximately USD 10,000 for moving their children.

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