Want to Live on an Island in 2025? These Places Will Pay You

Get Paid to Move: Best Islands Offering Relocation Bonuses

The fantasy of island living — waking up to the sound of waves, enjoying sun-kissed afternoons, and indulging in local delicacies — just got a major upgrade: getting paid to do it. Yes, several islands and countries across the globe are offering financial incentives to new residents in 2025.

Whether you're looking to restore a rustic villa in Sicily, plant roots in a remote Greek paradise, or launch a startup on a tropical island, there's a destination that's ready to welcome you — and reward you.

Here are the top islands and countries that will pay you to move there in 2025, featuring Sardinia, Sicily, Antikythera, Mauritius, and newly added New Zealand, Taiwan, and Ireland.

Sardinia, Italy – Get €15,000 to Move to a Rural Island Town

Sardinia is more than a summer playground for Italians — it's a full-time island dream, and now you can get paid to call it home. In 2022, the Sardinian government launched a €45 million initiative to revitalize its shrinking rural communities, many of which have seen dramatic depopulation over the past few decades. To attract new residents and breathe life into these aging towns, the government is offering grants of up to €15,000 to individuals and families willing to move, purchase a property, and settle in villages with fewer than 3,000 residents. Dozens have already taken advantage of this opportunity to start fresh in paradise.

💶 What You Get:

• €15,000 relocation grant
• Access to a €45 million government fund
• Affordable homes in picturesque villages

📜 Requirements:

• Move to a Sardinian town with fewer than 3,000 people
• Make Sardinia your primary residence within 18 months
• Purchase and renovate a property

Sardinia's stunning beaches, Mediterranean cuisine, and peaceful lifestyle are the perfect antidote to city stress. It's remote enough to feel like a retreat, yet vibrant with culture, tradition, and good wine.

Sicily – Buy a Historic Home for €1 in Sambuca di Sicilia

The picturesque Sicilian town of Sambuca di Sicilia gained international fame in 2019 when it launched its now-iconic €1 home program. Created to address the steep population decline and a surplus of abandoned homes, the initiative offers international buyers the chance to own a historic property for the symbolic price of €1. In exchange, buyers must commit to renovating the home within three years, with average restoration costs ranging from €15,000 to €20,000. A €5,000 security deposit is required and refunded upon successful completion. Since the program’s launch, over 100 properties have been sold to buyers from around the globe, breathing new life into this once-sleepy hilltop village.

💶 What You Get:

• A €1 home in a hilltop Sicilian town
• Refundable €5,000 deposit after successful renovation
• Full home ownership in one of Italy’s most authentic regions

🔨 What You’ll Spend:

• Renovation must be completed within 3 years
• Estimated cost: €15,000–€20,000

🧀 Why Move Here:

You’ll live in the heart of wine country with a strong community, panoramic views, and food that makes every day feel like a celebration. Plus, Sambuca has been praised for its transparency and support for international buyers.

Antikythera, Greece – Free Home + Monthly Paycheck

Tucked between Crete and the Peloponnese, the tiny Greek island of Antikythera has become an unexpected relocation hot spot thanks to a unique incentive program launched by the Greek Orthodox Church in partnership with local authorities. With fewer than 50 permanent residents and a rapidly aging population, the island faced the risk of vanishing entirely. To reverse this, new families are offered a free home, land, and a monthly stipend of €500 for three years — totaling €18,000. The program, active since 2019, is aimed at attracting young families to repopulate and sustain the community. A few pioneering families have already made the move, embracing remote island life in exchange for peace, purpose, and payment.

💶 What You Get:

• €500/month for the first 3 years
• A free house and land
• Support from the Greek Orthodox Church

📜 Requirements:

• Must relocate as a family (ideal for couples with children)
• Commit to becoming a permanent resident

With only a few dozen residents and no commercial tourism, Antikythera is a haven of peace. You’ll live off the coast of Crete, surrounded by cliffs, turquoise water, and ancient ruins — truly off-grid island life.

Mauritius – Startup Funding in a Tropical Island Nation

Mauritius, the sparkling jewel of the Indian Ocean, is inviting global entrepreneurs to bring their business ideas to its shores — and backing it with cash. Since launching the Innovator Occupation Permit Scheme in the early 2020s, the Mauritian government has sought to position the island as a regional startup hub. Eligible entrepreneurs can receive MUR 20,000 (about $433 USD) to support relocation and startup costs, in addition to access to innovation incubators and coworking spaces. The goal is to diversify the economy and attract global talent. While the financial incentive is modest, dozens of entrepreneurs have relocated, drawn by the island’s affordability, digital nomad appeal, and enviable lifestyle.

💶 What You Get:

• 20,000 Mauritian Rupees (about $433 USD) in startup support
• Access to incubator programs
• A low cost of living in paradise

📜 Requirements:

• Submit your startup idea or existing business to a government panel
• Get approval to receive the grant

Mauritius offers all the essentials: turquoise lagoons, friendly locals, diverse culture, and tax perks for business owners. While the grant is modest, the island’s affordability and quality of life make it a smart choice for digital nomads and entrepreneurs.

New Zealand – High-Demand Jobs and Remote Work Incentives

While New Zealand doesn’t offer direct cash grants for relocation, it has launched several initiatives to attract skilled workers and new residents to its more remote areas. Since 2019, regional visa pathways and incentives for critical workers — especially in healthcare, agriculture, and construction — have been in place to combat workforce shortages in smaller towns and islands like the South Island’s West Coast and Otago regions. These programs offer streamlined residency, relocation support, and job placement assistance. Thousands have moved through these routes in recent years, drawn by New Zealand’s wild landscapes, friendly culture, and a life rich in outdoor adventure and opportunity.

💼 Incentives Include:

• Priority visas for in-demand professions
• Remote area settlement grants
• Support for young families relocating from abroad

New Zealand is ideal for those seeking a rugged island life: hiking, surfing, vineyards, and outdoor adventure. It's perfect for nature lovers and professionals willing to fill job shortages in healthcare, education, and tech.

Taiwan – Teach English and Earn $3,000/Month

Taiwan isn’t offering a relocation grant per se, but the island nation provides one of the most lucrative and supportive environments for English teachers. With programs active for over a decade, Taiwan’s public and private institutions offer monthly salaries ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 USD, often with additional benefits like housing, health insurance, airfare reimbursement, and paid holidays. The cost of living remains relatively low, allowing foreign teachers to save while enjoying a vibrant, modern society rooted in tradition. Cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung have welcomed thousands of native English speakers since the early 2000s, creating a growing expat community in this dynamic island paradise.

💶 What You Get:

• $2,000–$3,000/month teaching salary
• Paid vacation, housing stipends, and health insurance
• A lively culture, from night markets to mountain trails

While it’s not a relocation grant, the generous salary vs. low living costs means you can live well — and save — in a beautiful island nation. Bonus: You’re a short flight from dozens of Southeast Asian destinations.

Ireland – Business-Friendly Island Life with Tax Perks

Ireland may not hand you a welcome check, but it offers something just as valuable: an incredibly favorable business ecosystem. Since the early 2000s, Ireland has drawn global attention for its low corporate tax rates — 12.5% until 2023, and now still competitive at 15%. This shift aimed to align with international tax reforms while maintaining Ireland’s reputation as a haven for entrepreneurs and multinational companies. From major tech giants to small startups, thousands of businesses have chosen to relocate here. With English as the main language, vibrant culture, safety, and direct access to the EU market, Ireland remains a strategic and lifestyle-savvy move for entrepreneurs in 2025.

💶 What You Get:

• Corporate tax rate: 15% (still one of the lowest in the EU)
• Tech-friendly environment with startup hubs in Dublin and Galway
• Potential grants for innovation and rural resettlement

Live in a green valley cottage or a buzzing city like Dublin, where pubs hum with live music and the craic is always good. Ireland offers the charm of island living with the energy of a European capital.

🌍Choose Your Paradise, Get Paid to Live There

Whether you're a startup founder, a young family, or someone craving a change of pace, these islands and nations are not just postcard-perfect — they’re paying you to join their story. From Greece’s secret islands to Italy’s iconic villages, and from Taiwanese cities to Mauritius' tropical calm, 2025 could be the year your life changes — and your bank account grows.