Woman wrapping up boxes | Get paid to move to Italy

GET PAID TO MOVE TO ITALY: IS IT POSSIBLE?

​In 2017 the town of Candela in the Puglia region of Southern Italy began offering up to €2,000 to entice people into moving to the village of less than 2,000 inhabitants. Several other Italian towns have since followed suit albeit for a limited time only. Those looking to move from the United States will still need to go through the visa application process. But come prepared because you’ll need to start some kind of business to help breathe life into these regions.
Woman wrapping up boxes | Get paid to move to Italy

​1. Candela

​It began with the small town of Candela, known as “La Piccola Napoli,” which now has only 2,700 inhabitants. It offered a grant of €800 euros per person and up to €2,000 for couples with children in exchange for moving to this town. Newcomers were required to live inside Candela, rent a house and have a job that pays a salary of at least €7,500 a year to be approved for the offer. They were also eligible for tax credits on city waste disposal, bills and nurseries in the future.

​2. Santo Stefano di Sessanio

​Santo Stefano di Sessanio in the Abruzzo region was next and there were only 115 residents living there! Of these, 41 are over 65 years old and only 13 residents are under the age of 20. The offer for this town expired on November 15, 2020.

According to the municipality, the small town was in need of (in order of necessity):

  1. Tour / Cultural guide;
  2. Tourist informant;
  3. Cleaner;
  4. Generic maintenance technician;
  5. Drugstore shop operator;
  6. Selling local food products and their marketing.

If you’re looking to live in a small village then these opportunities are definitely worth considering as they are still valid even during the pandemic. For remote workers there’s even more reason to look into the next area: Molise.

​3. Molise: the secret region of Italy

​Now, MoliseItaly is proposing a similar offer that actually began in September of 2020. The region, which lies east of Rome, is paying people €700 (about $855) a month for up to three calendar years (a maximum of $27,000 to move) to people who move to villages with a population of 2,000 residents or fewer and open a business there—the idea being that you’re doing something to enhance the small community. There are about 100 villages which are currently underpopulated as much of the population moves to larger cities to look for work.

To be eligible for the move, applicants must be between 18 and 40 year old, and be a resident of Italy or the EU (or have the ability to become one, so moving from the US is still viable). Additionally, they need to be moving from a place that has more than 2,000 residents.

While you’re not restricted in the type of business you open, it is good to keep in mind that people generally leave the area for a reason. Molise itself is a mountainous region and generally doesn’t receive many tourists because there is very little to do and many people don’t consider it a desirable place to live.

That being said, there is an opportunity to take advantage of Molise’s having everything in one place, that is, the sea, lakes, forest, and mountains (with ample slopes for skiing).

Some of the towns making the offer are are: Fornelli, Pesche (built high in the hills), Riccia, Capracotta and Campitello Matese (for those who love skiing), Pietrabbondante and Sepino (a large area with lots of archeological sites), San Giovanni in Galdo, Castel San Vincenzo, and Duronia (an area popular for trekking). Each Italian village has something different to offer.

In addition, the local government will also give low-population towns €10,000 a month in order to help build infrastructure and promote cultural activities for the residents.

Panorama of Molise region from a high point of view
Picture by Lucio Musacchio

4. Vetto

Situated in the Emilia Romagna region, the small village of Vetto has some homes to be auctioned, through our own website Auctions2Italystarting from €1. The town itself is keen on having newcomers and is willing to fasttrack the associated paperwork to get the projects rolling.

Conclusion

​It is likely that in the coming years other small towns and villages across Italy will try to implement a similar program to lure people. Even outside of Italy, countries like Greece are making similar offers but at lower rates, generally around 500 euros per month. Other Italian regions have tried selling homes for as little as €1 or giving castles away to those who are to refurbish and repurpose them. There’s definitely no shortage of innovation in what Italy is trying to do, and it is a good opportunity for anyone interested in moving to Italy.
Check out also our video about tax residency in Europe (below) or the one about the Superbonus 110%, or the one about Italian elective residency visa.

88 thoughts on “GET PAID TO MOVE TO ITALY: IS IT POSSIBLE?”

          1. How can i contact you now ,am from Lagos Nigeria,am interested to come to immigrants.can i get your email or phone number pls,

      1. How do I apply? I am an American Woman who teaches Barber College and I am willing to relocate to start up a business.

      2. Hello Nicole,

        Hope you are doing well. I came across your article with a lot of insights. I am an Indian national and would like to take up such an opportunity. Is this is a possibility based on my nationality? I am 45 years of age as well. Would this be an issue to proceed?

        My email is noronhajoel28@gmail.com.

        I would be grateful to get some more information. I look forward to hearing from you.

        Thanks and regards,

        Joel

    1. Faraz khadivdjam

      My name is faraz khadivdjam
      l am Canadian and am intrested in moving to ITALIAN villages
      i have BA in design and am proficient welder and also pvc window builder.
      kindly advise possible opportunity available andwhatis needed for me tomake this move

      1. Faraz khadivdjam

        My name is faraz khadivdjam
        l am Canadian and am intrested in moving to ITALIAN villages
        i have BA in design and am proficient welder and also pvc window builder.
        kindly advise possible opportunity available andwhatis needed for me tomake this move

      2. Hello,
        I am an African living between Macedonia & Serbia and my wife is a SERBIAN. How can we migrate to one of the Villages in Italy.

        I am a real estate agent and I and my wife have a small joint business.

        Kindly advice by providing your contact details. Thank You.

  1. Shanice Miche Charters

    Hi there ,

    I’m from South Africa and would like to relocate to Italy.

    How does one apply ?

    1. Hi my name is jeannette and I am itallian, I have 4 kids, 2 who live with me, and my mum, I am self employed as a chiropodist/foot health care practitioner and I have my own business, my mum is a carer of 6 years and works in care homes, and we all really want to move to italy. I have never lived in italy before but had family who have lived there all their lives until passing. I would like the chance to move to italy and set up my business there and my mum would like to become a carer there. Please can you help??

  2. Jade Lorna Hill

    Good morning to whom it concerns,

    I have been looking into some of the small villages within Italy that are becoming increasingly unpopulated and the place requires those from Italy and those in the EU to move. I would love this opportunity and to even take one of the jobs they’re offering. I am currently living in the UK – we have just left the EU. Does this stop me from doing so?

  3. Hi I am a 21 year old mechanic from England me and my girlfriend are looking to relocate and start a family, I would love to open up a vehicle repair garage if needed in the village. Or work in any other similar trades if needed.

    Please get in touch,

    Thanks Reece

  4. Go we are originally from Poland but for 16 years we live in uk age 22yers old and 25 years old daughters and me 46 years old mum we will like to move to Italy how we can apply?

  5. Sesethu Jingqi

    Good Day, where do I obtain the application Form? I would like to start my process in moving there.

  6. Hi is this also applies for people who are living in the UK? If so how can I apply as can’t find form anywhere?
    Could some email me the application please
    Thanks sam

  7. How can I contact you.
    My brother is a physiotherapists he have 5 years experience as a physiotherapists.
    And my wife is a medical assistant.
    And I have masters degree in education.

  8. Hello very interested in starting my business how do I apply? Do you have a email address or contact number so I can talk to you about more details? Looking forward to speaking with you. Enjoy your day & be safe.

  9. Hello…
    Please let me know when the portal for application of the Italy relocate and get paid is opened, I really want to apply

  10. Zaleha Dollente

    I am interested to move in Italy and in of it’s villages. I’m a licensed nurse.
    How will the process be?

  11. Hello Sir/Mam
    I am Sadakat Ali from India 🇮🇳 I really want to move in so please tell me how to apply so that I will come and do small business ASAP ..
    I have completed my BSc in Hotel management and also I have 2 years experience in bakery and confectionery chef .

  12. I am a driver based in Kenya
    Normally for trucks can I get access to enter to those villages
    My contacts +254704261337
    +254714772730

  13. Hi I am interested in relocating how do I get more information or can I get more information I think this will be a big opportunity for me

  14. Bernarda Bucheli

    Me and my mother are interested in relocating. She knows the language pretty well and we are versatile in the job area. How can we apply?

  15. My family is very interested in relocating and building our business, plus money to fix it up correct? We are Americans and are jacks of all trades the all of us. Pease contact me.

  16. Hi I am a filipina a graduate of business administration major in Financial Management and currently working in sales pharmaceutical. I am good at communicating and selling. But i can work physically, cleaner, front desk, or any. I am honed in terms of working with people. Let mw know how and to apply

  17. Dear
    I would like to move with my family in italy village ,i am 47 year old with 3 kids & wife,
    please share details so i can process the way & try my lucky.
    thank you

  18. Nelson Effiong

    Am interested with this how will I contact you to get prepare for my traveling to this country

  19. Hey
    I want to relocate there,am 22 yrs old.i want to come study and work there.How can I go about it.Am single.
    Sincere regards.

  20. Hi Im Italian and living in South Africa I’m a Property Practioner and would like to relocate to a small town in Puglia

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