Think of this. You wake up to the sound of church bells, step outside, and breathe in the crisp mountain air. Cobblestone streets. Rolling vineyards. A sleepy piazza where time moves slower.
Now imagine Italy paying you to live here.
Sounds like a scam? It’s not. Across the country, tiny villages—some so beautiful they look AI-generated—are offering up to $50,000 just to get you to move in.
The reason? They’re dying.
Between 2014 and 2019, over 5,000 villages saw a massive population drop. Young Italians have fled to Milan, Rome, and Florence, chasing careers. What’s left? Aging locals. Deserted homes. Entire towns slowly fading away.
So, local governments came up with a plan. Pay outsiders to move in, renovate homes, and bring life back.
It’s bold. It’s tempting. But don’t grab your suitcase just yet.
It’s not for everyone. But for the right person? It’s a golden ticket to a whole new life.
Let’s break it down. Which villages are offering cash? What do they want in return? And most importantly—is this an opportunity of a lifetime or just a glorified real estate hustle?
The 13 Villages Offering Cold, Hard Cash:
Not all Italian villages are desperate. But some? They’re throwing money at the problem.
From medieval hilltop towns to sleepy coastal escapes, these places are offering serious cash—up to $50,000—to lure in fresh faces. Some want you to fix up an abandoned house. Others need young families to repopulate their dying schools. A few just want warm bodies to keep local businesses afloat.
Here are the 13 villages willing to pay you to call them home:
1. Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Abruzzo
- Incentive: Up to €44,000 ($48,000) for young entrepreneurs.
- Why? Population under 120. Mostly elderly. They need fresh blood.
- The Catch: You must be under 40 and commit to staying at least 5 years.
2. Presicce-Acquarica, Puglia
- Incentive: €30,000 ($32,000) toward home purchases and renovations.
- Why? They’re sitting on too many abandoned houses.
- The Catch: You must buy and restore a home in the historic center.
3. Candela, Puglia
- Incentive: Up to €2,000 ($2,200) just for moving in.
- Why? Once called the “Naples of Puglia,” it’s now a ghost town.
- The Catch: You need a job (remote work counts) and an annual income of at least €7,500 ($8,100 USD).
4. Locana, Piedmont
- Incentive: €9,000 ($9,800) for families with at least one child.
- Why? Schools are shutting down due to lack of students.
- The Catch: You must earn at least €6,000 ($6,500) per year.
5. Bormida, Liguria
- Incentive: €2,000 ($2,200) for anyone who moves in.
- Why? The mayor got tired of seeing houses sit empty.
- The Catch: Rent is cheap (€50/month), but jobs are scarce.
6. Teora, Campania
- Incentive: €5,000 ($5,400) toward home purchases.
- Why? The town lost most of its population after a 1980 earthquake.
- The Catch: You must live there for at least three years.
7. Sambuca di Sicilia, Sicily
- Incentive: Homes starting at €1 ($1.10), plus grants for renovations.
- Why? It’s one of the most famous “€1 home” towns in Italy.
- The Catch: You must invest at least €15,000 ($16,200) in renovations.
8. Fabbriche di Vergemoli, Tuscany
- Incentive: Up to €30,000 ($32,000) for new businesses.
- Why? The town is pushing for economic revival.
- The Catch: You must propose a business that benefits the community.
9. Rieti, Lazio
- Incentive: Subsidies for businesses and housing.
- Why? The town is rich in history but losing its younger generation.
- The Catch: Business grants are competitive—only the best ideas get funded.
10. Carrega Ligure, Piedmont
- Incentive: Various grants for restoration projects.
- Why? A former mountain retreat, now almost deserted.
- The Catch: It’s remote—nearest big city is over an hour away.
11. Gangi, Sicily
- Incentive: €1 homes, plus grants for restoration.
- Why? The town won “Most Beautiful Italian Village” but still struggles with depopulation.
- The Catch: You must invest in renovations within three years.
12. Ollolai, Sardinia
- Incentive: Homes for €1, plus tax breaks for new businesses.
- Why? It was once a thriving shepherd town, now nearly abandoned.
- The Catch: Renovation commitments are steep. Expect to spend €20,000+ ($21,600).
13. Cinquefrondi, Calabria
- Incentive: €1 homes, with minimal property tax for new buyers.
- Why? Its mayor calls it a “COVID-free village,” hoping to attract remote workers.
- The Catch: A €250 ($270) yearly insurance fee is mandatory.
Living in an Italian Village:
Moving to a tiny Italian village sounds like a dream. Morning walks on cobbled streets. Wine at sunset. A slower, simpler life. But reality? It’s not always as romantic as it seems.
The Good:
For some, it’s paradise.
- The scenery? Unreal. Rolling vineyards, medieval architecture, and mountains in the distance.
- The food? Fresh. Simple. Better than any overpriced plate you’d get back home.
- The lifestyle? No traffic. No stress. Just peaceful days and friendly faces.
- The cost? Laughably cheap. In some places, rent is €50 a month. A restaurant meal? Under €10.
If you crave slow living, this is the jackpot.
The Not-So-Great:
But let’s be real. Not everyone thrives in a tiny town.
- No one speaks English. If you don’t know Italian, good luck.
- Say goodbye to Amazon Prime. Big stores? Forget it. Need something? Expect long waits or long drives.
- Nightlife is nonexistent. If you love bars, events, or just seeing new faces, village life might drive you mad.
- Paperwork is painfully slow. Renovations, permits, even setting up Wi-Fi—nothing moves fast here.
It’s not a vacation. It’s a lifestyle shift.
Who Thrives Here—and Who Regrets It?
Some people never leave. Retirees love the peace. Remote workers find balance. Families raise their kids in safety.
Others? They can’t get out fast enough.
- The ones who stay: Those who embrace the culture, learn the language, and don’t mind a slower pace.
- The ones who leave: People who crave excitement, don’t speak Italian, or underestimated the work needed to restore a home.
How to Apply:
So, you’re in. You’re ready to trade the grind for a quiet Italian village. You need to apply, qualify, and prove you’re serious.
Here’s how to actually get accepted.
1. Find the Real Deals (And Avoid Scams)
Not every “Get Paid to Move to Italy” offer is legit.
Stick to official government sites and verified programs. The best sources?
- Regional government portals (Abruzzo, Calabria, Sicily)
- Local municipality websites (Comune di Santo Stefano, Comune di Presicce)
- Italy’s €1 home programs
🚨 Red flag: If a website asks for an “application fee,” it’s a scam. Real programs don’t charge you to apply.
2. Get Your Paperwork Ready
These villages aren’t looking for tourists. They want commitment.
What you’ll likely need:
- Proof of income (bank statements, work contracts)
- A solid business plan (if you’re applying for funding)
- Residency paperwork (for long-term programs)
- A commitment to stay (some require 3+ years)
3. Beat the Competition
You’re not the only one who wants a piece of this. Thousands apply. Few get accepted.
Want an edge?
- Learn some Italian. Even basic phrases show effort.
- Have a clear plan. Whether it’s remote work, a café, or renovating a home—prove you’re serious.
- Be flexible. If one village rejects you, try another.
4. Be Ready for Slow Bureaucracy
Even if you’re accepted, don’t expect things to move fast.
Permits, contracts, renovations—it all takes time. Italy’s legal system isn’t built for speed.
The best move? Find a local contact—a lawyer, real estate agent, or even a helpful neighbor—to guide you through the maze of paperwork.
Why Italy Is Paying for Residents:
At first, it sounds crazy. Why would a country pay people to move in?
But Italy isn’t alone. From Japan’s shrinking towns to Vermont’s remote worker grants, rural areas worldwide are struggling to survive.
Why Are Villages Emptying?
These towns are disappearing because:
- Young people are leaving. Big cities offer better jobs. Villages? Not so much.
- Fewer babies, more retirees. Italy has one of the lowest birth rates in Europe.
- Businesses can’t survive. No workers, no customers—eventually, no economy.
If nothing changes, entire villages will vanish.
Will Paying People to Move Work?
Italy is betting on it. And in some places, it’s working.
- Sambuca di Sicilia’s €1 homes attracted international buyers, restored properties, and boosted tourism.
- Presicce-Acquarica’s cash incentives brought in new families, filling empty schools.
- Santo Stefano’s business grants gave local economies a second chance.
But it’s not always a success.
Some villages still struggle because:
- Renovations cost more than expected. Many €1 home buyers bailed after realizing repairs can hit €30,000+.
- Lack of jobs makes it tough. If you can’t work remotely or start a business, long-term survival is hard.
- Bureaucracy is slow. Applications, permits, renovations—it all takes forever.
Will More Countries Do This?
Probably.
- Spain has similar incentives for rural areas.
- Portugal is offering visa perks for digital nomads.
- Greece is literally paying families to settle on remote islands.
As cities overflow and small towns fade, governments will keep trying to rebalance the population.
So, Is It Worth It?
For the right person? Absolutely. You get paid, experience Italy, and escape the rat race.
For others? Not so much. If you expect an easy transition, think again.
One thing’s clear—Italy is fighting for its villages. And for those willing to take the leap, it might just be the opportunity of a lifetime.
Closing Thoughts:
If you’re craving a slower, quieter life—and don’t mind some paperwork, renovations, or the quirks of small-town Italy—this could be the adventure of a lifetime. You’ll get financial help, stunning scenery, and a chance to be part of a historic village revival.
But if you need a fast-paced environment, modern conveniences, or a seamless transition, think twice. These programs aren’t a free ride—they’re an investment, both in money and patience. For the right person, though? It’s a dream come true.
