Neither the UK nor Iceland: This European country will pay you $98,000 to live on one of its islands

Ireland has rolled out an ambitious plan to bring new life to its remote islands, many of which have spent decades losing residents. The government is offering grants worth up to $98,000 to people willing to move there and restore long abandoned homes as part of a national effort to rebuild local communities.

A plan focused on long-term revitalization

The initiative is far more than a simple relocation incentive. It is designed as a comprehensive policy aimed at social and urban renewal. The money can be used only to renovate homes built before 1993 that have been vacant for at least two years, and it cannot be spent on furniture or on converting the property into a short term rental.

The program is open to European Union citizens as well as applicants from outside the EU. Those from non-EU countries must still meet standard immigration requirements because the grant does not provide shortcuts to residency or citizenship. The government says the ideal candidates are professionals who can work remotely or people looking to build long-term lives rooted in the community.

Staying put is a core requirement

The minimum stay is one of the pillars of the plan. The renovated property must be used as a primary residence or as a long-term rental for at least 10 years. Anyone who fails to meet this rule could be required to repay part or all of the grant, which Ireland sees as key to ensuring a real commitment to island life.

Generous offer comes with challenges

Officials emphasize that the offer, while generous, comes with challenges. The weather can be harsh, local services are limited and access to the mainland sometimes depends on the tides. For people seeking quiet, nature and a slower pace of life, however, these islands offer something that is increasingly hard to find elsewhere in Europe.

Cautious optimism on the islands

Among longtime residents, the initiative is generating cautious optimism. An influx of new neighbors could boost local schools, small businesses and community groups while helping preserve cultural and linguistic traditions, especially in Gaelic speaking areas. The government says its goal is not to attract short-term visitors. It wants full-time residents who will truly become part of island life.

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