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Ireland Is Offering $92,000 For People to Move to Its Remote Islands

By Margherita Cole on June 23, 2023

Ireland is Paying People to Move to Remote Islands

Photo: GiorgioMagini/Depositphotos

Looking for a way to escape the city? For those interested in moving to a quiet island with stunning views, Ireland is offering a unique opportunity. In an effort to revitalize about 30 remote islands off of the country's coast, the Irish government is providing grants worth up to $92,000 for people to relocate there.

Currently, these secluded islands have less than 3,000 inhabitants altogether, with some places having only two permanent residents. These islands are mostly cut off from the rest of the country and have undeveloped infrastructure. The government's new plan, called Our Living Islands, lays out a 10-year national policy that is seeking to bring more capital investment to these areas so that they can become “sustainable, vibrant communities.”

Part of this policy includes attracting more people to relocate to these islands. “An ongoing concern for island communities both nationally and internationally is to maintain the population levels of their islands,” the plan notes. “Island communities generally have a higher than average age profile, as many young adults leave the islands to avail of further education or employment opportunities elsewhere.”

So, as a way of encouraging people to move to these remote locations, Ireland is giving out grants that are worth up to $92,000. These funds are meant for renovating the old, derelict buildings already there. Furthermore, the property has to have been built prior to 2008 and vacant for two years, and the grant recipients are expected to either become permanent residents of the island or rent the renovated house out.

There are no residency requirements for purchasing properties in Ireland, meaning Americans and anyone from a different country can apply for this grant. You can take a look at the application form here.