Had enough of your job, city, obnoxiously loud neighbor, shall we go on? Well, what if we told you that Ireland will pay you $90K, yes $90,000, to move to one of its remote islands?
The very real deal is from “Our Living Islands,” a 10-year Irish policy setting out to maintain sustainable and thriving communities on the country’s offshore islands.
These offshore islands are defined as ones that are not connected to the mainland by bridge or causeway, cut off daily by the tide, have permanent year-round populations, and are not under private ownership. This includes Aran Islands (including Inis Mór), Clare Island, Inishbofin Island, Inishturk Island, Dursey Island, Bere Island, Tory Island (Toraigh), among others.
Thus, the country of Ireland is offering a hefty sum of €84,000 (approximately $90,000) to those looking for a change of scenery and willing to relocate to one of the islands. Now before you go breaking your lease, please note that there’s a catch…
In order to receive the promised funds, individuals must purchase a house that’s been vacant for at least the last two years and pre-dates 1993. But that’s not all. The grant money must be used to fix up the house, including structural work, decorating, insulation, etc.
Moreover, the home must become your private principal residence or it must be available for long term rent with the tenancy registered with the Residential Tenancies Board.
“The challenges affecting our islands are similar in many ways to those experienced in the rest of rural Ireland, whether they relate to employment opportunities, access to services, the provision of vital infrastructure or the social and economic impacts of COVID-19. However, these challenges can be even more pronounced on the islands due to their geographical isolation and separation from the mainland,” said Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development.
In offering the grant, Our Living Islands hopes to repopulate the communities for generations to come. To see how to qualify for the grant, you can read more on the government website. Here is a look at the application form.
If you’re not an EU-national, Our Living Islands does not facilitate immigration. Therefore, interested foreign nationals must comply with the country’s immigration policies and requirements.
Explore more details surrounding this policy and if it’s a fit for you on Our Living Island’s official website.