Five countries offer incentives to attract residents to rural areas in 2026

Italy, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland and Chile are introducing financial support programs in 2026 to attract new residents to villages, rural areas and islands experiencing population decline. The measures include housing grants, relocation assistance and support for entrepreneurs. In Italy’s Sardinia, municipalities with populations below 3,000 will cover 50% of the cost of purchasing or renovating a first home, up to €15,000. Ireland’s Living Islands policy will provide up to €60,000 for renovating vacant homes and €84,000 for derelict buildings on offshore islands. Spain’s Extremadura region plans to offer remote workers moving to settlements with fewer than 5,000 residents €10,000, while other eligible applicants may receive €8,000. Participants must reside in the area continuously for 24 months. In the Swiss village of Albinen, families may receive support if they invest more than 200,000 Swiss francs and live there for 10 years. Foreign applicants without a Swiss residence permit are excluded. Chile’s CORFO will also provide financing through Start-Up Chile to ventures with growth potential, with support ranging from 15 million pesos in the Build track to 75 million pesos in the Growth track.