The government of the Italian region of Tuscany has introduced a new program aimed at paying people to relocate to the region. This initiative is called “Residence in the Mountains” and was launched in June to stabilize the region’s declining population.
A total fund of €2,800,000 has been established to provide grants to individuals who settle in Tuscany’s rural areas. These grants, ranging from €10,000 to €30,000, are intended to help people move to Tuscany and renovate rural houses where they will reside. “The goal is to promote and encourage the repopulation and socio-economic revitalization of mountain areas, counteracting the marginalization of these territories,” the organizers stated.
The grant is designed to cover 50% of the renovation costs of a house in one of Tuscany’s 76 towns with populations of fewer than 5,000 residents. Among these are the relatively well-known San Casciano dei Bagni, famous for its thermal baths; Caprese Michelangelo, the birthplace of the renowned Renaissance artist; and the island of Capraia Isola. The program is available to Italians, EU citizens, and third-country nationals with a long-term EU residence permit of at least 10 years. Eligible applicants must commit to making the Tuscan property their primary home.
The application deadline for the program is July 27.
