London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jul 07, 2025

European digital nomad destinations that will pay you to move there

European digital nomad destinations that will pay you to move there

Digital nomad on the move in Europe? Here are the places in Europe that will reimburse you to live there.

An influx in remote working following the pandemic means thousands of Europeans are embracing digital nomad life.

So much so that a number of destinations are willing to pay families, entrepreneurs, and wannabe home renovators to live and work there.

Sometimes referred to as “Zoom towns”, these places often come in the form of quaint, tourist-friendly villages that need a little TLC, but can also encompass entire countries.

Many factors contribute to where a remote worker decides to set up shop. Luckily, a growing number of places are making offers they hope you can’t refuse, to the tune of as much as €44,000.

The combined economic value of the global digital nomad community is a gigantic €669 billion, making it an unquestionably worthwhile investment.

Research from William Russell reveals that there are three reasons a town is usually willing to pay people to relocate there:

*  Underpopulation
*  Economic stimulation
*  Renovating housing

Whatever the reason might be, here are some of the best places in Europe offering money in exchange for digital nomads to move there right now.

Spain: tiny towns in Galicia and Asturias
Get paid to soak up the views of the Iberian Peninsula in Rubiá, Galicia


Swathes of Spaniards are abandoning the country’s traditional pueblos (villages) in favour of larger cities.

And local governments have concluded that the best way to bring people back is to offer a financial incentive.

The town of Ponga, Asturias is granting families €3,000 to help them settle in, plus an additional €3,000 for each new baby born in the area. It is adorned with intricate rural churches displaying art dating back to the 17th century and has a population of less than 600 people.

Another is Rubiá, tucked away in the mountains of Galicia. If the gorgeous views of the Iberian peninsula aren’t enough to draw you in, the local township supplementing your income with an extra €100-150 per month might be.

Ireland: the entire country
Dublin, Ireland has become a hub of business activity for companies big and small


Fancy starting the next Airbnb, Google, or Paypal? Lots of companies choose Ireland as their European headquarters because of low corporation tax and its links to the EU.

Digital nomads with a penchant for friendly people, greenery and fresh produce should look no further. The Irish government has designed a scheme for ambitious, well-travelled people looking to follow their lead.

The criteria for Enterprise Ireland is pretty simple: you’ll need to demonstrate that your company is capable of creating at least 10 jobs and €1 million in sales over the first three years.

Last year, the scheme awarded over €120 million to start-ups, even throughout the added challenges of COVID-19.

Switzerland: along the mountains of Albinen

A move to the Swiss mountainside retreat of Albinen will leave you $25,200 richer and has been one of the world’s most generous settlement grants since 2017. There is a budget for up to four families to do so each year.

Fresh alpine air, some of the world’s best education and healthcare, and high salaries make it an easy draw. That said, there is a catch.

People moving to Albinen must commit to staying there for at least 10 years and you’re also not eligible for the grant if you’re not a citizen or married to one. You must also treat the residence as your primary property and be under the age of 45.

Italy: €1 houses in Sicily, Sardinia and more
Properties in need of renovation can be bought in Sardinia, Italy for just €1


Bursting with culture, delicious food, and glorious weather, it’s easy to wonder why there are so many areas in Italy using the charm offensive to get digital nomads to move there..

Central to this is the recent property trend where towns across the country sell off €1 homes. The goal is to draw creative minds with a bit of cash to spare to rejuvenate beautiful, albeit dilapidated, homes back to their former glory.

Make sure you’re in it for the right reasons rather than a cheap investment - there are often agreements that you invest in renovations or face a fine from the local authorities.

Regions in the country involved in these schemes include:

*  Sicily
*  Sardinia
*  Abruzzo
*  Milano

Italy: Villages in Apulia, Abruzzo, and Calabria
Live among the historic Italian clifftops of Tropea, Calabria


If home renovation isn’t your thing, there are many locations that don’t require that level of time and investment. Places that, like the rest of this list, would rather pay you instead.

Take Candela, for instance. Set within Italy’s gorgeous Apulia region, the medieval village earned itself the nickname ‘Little Naples’ for its beauty and easy-going way of life.

You can receive €800, €1,200, or €2,000 euros depending on whether you’re a lone traveller, in a couple, or a family. All you need is an annual salary above €7,500 and an application for formal residency.

Elsewhere, there’s Santo Stefano di Sessanio in the Abruzzo region, not too far from Rome.

The cobbled town has recently started to offer grants of up to €44,000 to incentivise new residents aged 18-40 to live there, with the expectation that you will open a business throughout your stay.

Finally, Calabria is the most recent addition to Italy’s offerings. The region forms the ‘toe’ of the Italian boot shape and consists of several villages that have seen huge declines in populations. Some have been left with fewer than 2000 residents in recent years even though there is the infrastructure to accommodate many more.

Applicants must be under 40 to apply, but would be entitled to €1,000-€8000 a year for two to three years. Potential earnings of €24,000 to live on the Italian coast? Sign us up.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
×