What if I told you that there were postcard-worthy villages in Italy that are willing to pay you to move there? The southern Italian region of Calabria has created a program to offer $33,000 USD to those looking to move into one of their many villages. This tempting program is part of the government’s plans to reverse their declining population. More than 75 percent of the towns in Calabria have fewer than 5,000 residents each.
“We want this to be an experiment of social inclusion. Draw people to live in the region, enjoy the settings, spruce up unused town locations such as conference halls and convents with high-speed internet. Uncertain tourism and the one euro houses are not the best ways to revamp Italy’s south.”
– Gianpietro Coppola, the mayor of Altomonte
The program to move to Italy does come with a few requirements, so don’t think you’re just going to move there and receive the $33,000. For one, those looking to apply must be 40 years of age or younger. Makes sense since the whole point is to build up the population in the Calabria region, not have those go there to retire. Additionally, applicants must commit to starting a small business or purchase an existing one, or be a professional needed by the village they’re looking to move into.
If this program seems like a good fit for you, expect to see applications open up in the next few weeks.
