You could be paid to live in a charming small village (Image: Getty)
We’ve all dreamed of escaping the UK and moving to a sunny island, and it turns out that you may be able to pocket a huge bonus while making your dream come true.
Areas across this popular holiday island are offering packages of up to €15,000 (just over £13,000) to expats willing to move to the beautiful, sunsoaked location in an attempt to boost local populations and the economy, and there are extra bonuses available for couples planning to start a family too.
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The grant aims to tackle decreasing populations in villages (Image: Getty)
Sardinia, Italy’s second-largest Mediterranean island, boasts white sand beaches, turquoise seas, and charming villages. It’s a popular destination for Brits, especially during the summer months, and just a two-and-a-half-hour flight from the UK.
But would you be willing to relocate full-time? Sardinia’s new programme seeks to encourage mainland Italians and foreigners from across the globe to relocate to its villages. Anyone moving to a village with less than 3,000 residents can apply for the €15,000 grant to buy or renovate a home, as long as they are planning to be a resident for at least five years. Recipients of the grant will need to move to the island and register as a permanent resident within 18 months.
There are also incentives for couples who want to start a family to move to the island. Monthly subsidies of €600 are available for the first child, and families who have a second will get an additional €400 for the child until they turn five.
The grant would be available to expats moving to small villages (Image: Getty)
If you move to a village of less than 3,000 people, and plan to start a business that’ll generate jobs for locals, you can also apply for an additional grant of up to €20,000, around £17,500, to get your ideas up and running.
It’s not the first time Sardinia has offered incentives for people looking to relocate to the island paradise. The Mediterranean hotspot has previously been part of the €1 home scheme, where potential residents could buy homes in remote locations for as little as 87p. These schemes usually came with terms and conditions attached, such as needing to show proof that you could afford the extensive renovations needed in these properties.
Sardinia offers expats beautiful Mediterranean scenery, beaches that have been compared to the Maldives, and mild weather in the winter. January sees highs of around 10C, while March weather hits 16-18C. There are also hot, dry summers where the weather is 30C and dry weather is all but guaranteed.
Expats will be able to enjoy the island’s stunning beaches (Image: Getty)
The capital of Cagliari is a cultural hub, known for its Roman architecture, historic palaces, and colourful markets. Across the island, there are Ancient Nuragic sites to explore where you can learn about life during the Bronze Age.
Sardinia also has lots of smaller, traditional cities to explore such as Nuoro, which sits in the mountains. It’s known for being the home of several Sardinian museums as well as a foodie city where you’ll find a huge number of restaurants serving local cuisine.
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