Italian island offering people 15,000 euros to move there
Lucy Devine
Featured Image Credit: Jan Wlodarczyk/Alamy Stock Photo
A stunning Italian island is offering people a hefty payout to simply move there.
The island of Sardinia, located west of Italy, is known for its breathtaking beaches and crystal clear waters but is sadly suffering from a reduced population due to people relocating for work.
In a bid to boost the number of residents living in the smaller, rural communities, the island has introduced a pretty attractive incentive.
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The government is offering €15,000 (£13,000) to anyone who is willing to relocate to the shores of Sardinia. Seems like a no brainer, right?
But of course, there's a catch.
The funds must go towards renovating a property in one of the towns with fewer than 3,000 residents. This includes regions such as Galtellì and Calasetta, in the southwestern region of the island.
Those who apply must also live there full time, and the property cannot be used as a holiday home.
The government has set aside €105 million (£91.7 million) for the project, and it's expected that not every applicant will use the full amount - which essentially means more than 7,000 households could benefit from the scheme, giving a much needed boost to Sardinian communities.
“With the latest maneuver, and now with the guidelines necessary to give substance to the measures against the depopulation and isolation of the territories, we have created the conditions for young people to decide to stay and (develop) the economic fabric of the most fragile territories,” Sardinian President Christian Solinas said in a translated press release.
“There can be no growth without a real enhancement of the territories, of the interior and most disadvantaged areas, which must pass through new policies for their repopulation.”
Applicants will be able to apply for the grant after first registering their residence in Sardinia, and must do this within 18 months of arrival on the island to be eligible for the grant.
Sardinia is easily accessible too, with flights from all over Europe and ferry links to Europe - meaning you'll probably never be short of visitors!
It's not the first time Italy has offered an incentive for people to relocate to its shores as last summer, the town of Maenza -less than two hours south of Rome - was selling homes for just €1 (86p).
Those taking part in the scheme were expected to renovate their properties within three years, with a mandatory €5,000 deposit (returned once the renovations are complete).
The €1 house scheme was launched in Italy in 2019 as the country sought to revive deserted towns because of the mass exodus to cities.
Some of the towns that signed up to the scheme include the seaside city of Taranto in Puglia and the town of Laurenzana, located a few hours south of Naples.