Ready for a slower pace of life? Get over $16K to move to the Spanish countryside
Those ready to convert to slow living and spend their days wandering through old-world plazas, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the quaint countryside can now get paid to make the move.
The remote Spanish region of Extremadura, bordering Portugal, is offering up to 200 digital nomads and remote workers a maximum of €15,000 (about $16,778) in grants to relocate there for at least two years.
The grants are meant to be used for "available housing, arable land and everything necessary to speed up their arrival," the website states.
The offer is part of a repopulation program called "Live in Ambroz" – referring to the Ambroz Valley and its charming rural villages. The valley "is one of the areas that is suffering from a constant loss of population and services," according to a Sunday press release by the Extremadura government.
Extremadura is a highly rural region of Spain with just over 1 million residents in 2023, according to CaixaBank Research – compare this to the bustling population of 3.3 million in Madrid. Also, unlike Madrid, it's inexpensive to live in Extremadura. In Badajoz, a province in Extremadura with Moorish roots, rent for a one-bedroom in the city center is about €475 (about $531) a month. In Madrid, a centrally located one-bedroom apartment costs approximately €1,366 (about $1,528).
The rustic region also struggles economically and is one of the smallest contributors to the country's GDP, contributing less than 2% to Spain's GDP. Agriculture is its economy's main sector.
However, Extremadura still has a lot to offer. The area is Spain's second-largest wine producer and has the most freshwater coastlines with beautiful inland beaches. Steeped in rich history, there are also medieval ruins dating back to ancient Rome and beautiful Moorish architecture, making travelers feel like they're traveling back in time.
The government hopes to expand the program to other parts of Extremadura that need revitalization.
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How do I apply to live as a digital nomad in Extremadura?
Authorities told Euronews that applications for the grants are expected to open around mid-September. Once available, applications can be submitted online through the Extremadura General Electronic Access Point.
The €15,000 will be split up into several grants: women and those under 30 years old choosing to live in a town with less than 5,000 residents will receive €10,000 (or $11,185) and everyone else will get €8,000 (about $8,947), according to Euronews. After two years, the former will be given an additional €5,000 (or $5,592) and the latter €4,000 (about $4,473).
Here are the requirements to apply:
You must have never lived in Extremadura within the last six months.
Be a legal resident in Spain, like through the country's own digital nomad visa
Work remotely in the tech industry
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: This rural region of Spain will pay you $16k to relocate there