Spain is offering Brits the chance to relocate to its quieter villages, with some schemes paying people to make the move while enjoying far more sunshine than back home. The initiative aims to repopulate rural areas that have seen declining populations as younger generations move to cities for work.
The Live in Ambroz programme in Extremadura is inviting digital nomads to apply for grants of up to €15,000 (nearly £13,000) to live in the area for at least two years. Compared to London, Ambroz enjoys between 70 and 90 per cent more sunshine per year, equating to roughly three extra hours of sunshine per day on average. Renting is also more affordable, with three-bedroom homes available for around €690 a month (roughly £600).
Spain is not the only country offering financial incentives to attract new residents. The Italian island of Sardinia is offering grants of up to €15,000 for those willing to relocate to towns with fewer than 3,000 residents. Couples looking to start a family can also benefit, with payments of around €600 (£520) a month for a first child and €400 (£345) for a second until they reach five years old.
Meanwhile, the village of Radicondoli in Tuscany offers incentives through its WivoaRadicondoli scheme, covering up to 50 per cent of rent for two years or grants towards buying a home, provided residents commit to staying for at least a decade. Around 100 of the village's 450 homes are currently empty.
In Switzerland, those under 45 could consider relocating to Albinen, where new residents can receive up to 25,000 CHF (around £23,600) per adult and 10,000 CHF (£9,400) per child. Applicants must commit to living there for at least 10 years and purchase a property worth at least 200,000 CHF (£189,000).
