Under a new scheme, the Sardinian government will pay home-buyers who permanently relocate to one of the region's beautiful rural towns
Interested in a move to the Mediterranean? In a bid to rejuvenate the local economy and boost population numbers, Italian officials are offering grants of up to €15,000 (£12.9k) for those who relocate to sunny Sardinia.
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A boost for rural towns
The government has set aside €45 million (£39m) to fund the grants and help breathe new life into its dwindling rural towns.
The lump sums are non-repayable and part of a nationwide scheme to rejuvenate struggling regions. The Sardinian government is encouraging people to purchase houses in need of renovation, and even start up businesses in the local area.
“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,” Sardinian President Christian Solinas stated in a press release.
A place in the sun
Sardinia, a large island in the Mediterranean, could offer an idyllic fresh start for house-hunters searching for sunshine and sea.
The isle is laden with a rich cultural history, including bronze-age ruins built as far back as 1,500 BC and the magnificent 13th-century Cagliari Cathedral.
Despite offering over 1,000 miles of idyllic sandy beaches, stunning vistas, and pretty pastel buildings, the area has a declining population and economy.
Younger residents are moving to mainland Italian cities for work, leaving the area in need of rejuvenation, perhaps from someone like you!
What’s the catch?
While the idea of being paid to move to an idyllic Italian island sounds too good to be true, it's not—however, the scheme does come with some stipulations.
The grant money must be used to fund the purchase or renovation of a home in Sardinia (not just £12,900 worth of gelato). That home must also be located within an area that has fewer than 3,000 residents.
Potential Sardinian property purchasers must live in the home full time and register for permanent residence within 18 months of arriving. That means no holiday-home hunters.
Not all movers will be eligible for the full grant of €15,000 (£12.9k), and the grant can't exceed half of the total cost of the house price or renovation cost, so you'll be expected to invest some of your own money too.
The initiative has recently been unveiled by the Italian government, so keep your eyes peeled for details on how to apply for the grant.
READ MORE: How to renovate an old house
Featured image: DaLiu / Shutterstock