A small village in northern Spain is offering free houses and a secure job for anyone willing to relocate there. Nestled in the region of Castile and León, Arenillas is a quaint community with only around 40 inhabitants.
Repopulation Package
Local authorities have launched a 'repopulation package' to increase the population and revitalize the village, which has been battling depopulation since the 1980s. The initiative offers people the chance to move to Arenillas, provided they bring 'practical or transferable skills,' according to Holiday Pirates.
The project particularly targets families with children to boost urban redevelopment and support local schools. Interested applicants must send a CV to ayuntamiento@arenillas.es, introducing themselves and their family, and explaining why they want to move. They should also outline the skills they can contribute to the village.
Free Accommodation
Successful applicants will receive free accommodation in freshly renovated apartments with no rent required. However, tenants must cover bills such as gas and water. Electricity is mainly supplied through roof solar panels, making it a cheap utility. Families with children are provided free transport to and from school in Berlanga de Duero, about a 20-minute drive away.
There is a high demand for workers in construction as the community works on maintaining the village and managing the local community centre. However, such initiatives are often aimed at Spanish citizens or those with the right to work in Spain. International applicants may need to obtain a visa or meet residency requirements. The scheme has already received 200 applications in its first few weeks.
Global Repopulation Efforts
Other regions worldwide are adopting similar strategies to boost dwindling populations. Japan pays people to move to rural areas, particularly from Greater Tokyo, under the Regional Revitalization Migration Support Grant. Individuals can receive up to ¥1,000,000 (£4,734) or ¥3,000,000 (£14,202) per household, aiming to redistribute the population from Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
In Spain, the 'Live in Ambroz' scheme invites digital nomads to Extremadura, offering grants of up to €15,000 (£13,000) to move there for at least two years. Albinen, a Swiss village, offers 25,000 Swiss francs (£23,600) per adult in a family of four and 10,000 Swiss francs per child to relocate. The village, threatened by depopulation, requires newcomers to buy a property worth at least 200,000 Swiss francs and live there for 10 years.
