Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is popular for its incredible food, gorgeous views, ideal weather, and hospitable population. Furthermore, it’s rich in history, art, and culture.

The reasons to visit are endless, but imagine the wonder of waking up there daily. In 2022, the region of Tuscany began offering financial incentives to new residents willing to start over and move there. Since then, almost 120 rural towns have offered some variation of the incentive.

Italy in Crisis

Italy faces a residential crisis in rural towns and villages, as younger generations leave to find more job opportunities in larger cities. As such, the population has dwindled and countless homes have been abandoned but region officials have come up with several solutions, including “Residency in the Mountains 2024,” to combat the crisis. The initiative offers 30,000 Euros, or about $32,500 to new residents.

A Couple of Potential Drawbacks

Although this seems like a sweet deal, there are a few other aspects to consider. The grants can go up to $32,000 but could be as low as 10,000 Euros, or almost $11,000. To qualify for a grant, a homebuyer must find a town with fewer than 5,000 residents, and the grant can’t be more than 50% of the cost of the home or renovations.

Eligibility Criterion

Another downside is that not every person is eligible to be considered for the grant. To qualify, residents must be Italian citizens. Or a citizen of another European country. Moreover, they’ll also need a residence permit of at least ten years, and they must be a city resident rather than a resident of a “mountain community.”

For those who meet the requirements, the online application process can be done on the Tuscany Region website, but all applications must be submitted by 1 pm CET on July 27th, 2024.