The country offering £77,000 to move there as part of government initiative – but there’s a catch

For many, the cost of moving to another country – from placing a deposit on a new home, to paying for international movers, to navigating costly currency transfers – can quickly become overwhelming. 

But what if some countries are willing to sweeten the deal by paying you to move there? 

It might sound too good to be true, but some nations are actively incentivising relocation – and one South American country is going the extra mile, offering up to £77,000 in funding to select newcomers.

Start-Up Chile is a government-backed program in Chile that provides funding, mentorship, and resources to foreign entrepreneurs.

The program is designed to bring in global talent and boost the local economy by supporting early-stage businesses, especially in tech. 

As well as a year-long visa and a co-working space, Start-Up Chile gives out equity-free funding, meaning entrepreneurs don’t have to give up a share of their company. 

The funding ranges from $20,000 (£15,270) to $100,000 (£77,000) – with one founder reporting that they received around $70,000 (£53,400) in total. 

However, there are a number of conditions: in return for equity-free funding, participants must move to Chile and work from the program’s facilities. 

Start-Up Chile is a government-backed program in Chile that provides funding, mentorship, and resources to foreign entrepreneurs

To stay in the program, participants must also earn 4,000 “social capital” points by mentoring others, giving talks, or attending events – all part of a system designed to boost collaboration and knowledge-sharing. 

Due to the popularity of the program, the application process is highly competitive, and not all applicants are selected. 

Participants should also equally prepare for an extensive application process, as detailed by Growth Mentor.    

It starts with an in-depth online form of around 200 questions, followed by a one-minute video pitch, and if possible, a demo of the product or service. 

A referral letter from someone who has already taken part in the program is also required.

Those who make it to the next stage are then invited to a 15-minute interview.

The program has helped launch over 1,600 startups and has attracted big names like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, which set up operations in the country in the last decade. 

While relocating to a new country is a big step, for many entrepreneurs, especially those in tech, Chile’s offer could be the opportunity of a lifetime. 

The program is designed to bring in global talent and boost the local economy by supporting early-stage businesses, especially in tech

Meanwhile, Italy is offering families £23,000 to move to the idyllic regions of Sardinia and Calabria – but there’s a catch.

The offer is a move from the Italian government to repopulate areas of the nation that are seeing populations decline due to an exodus of young Italians moving to larger cities or overseas for work – meaning the towns from which they hail are somewhat left behind.

In response to the decline, the government is inviting overseas citizens to move to Italy – but they will only receive the £23,000 if they choose to live in one of nine small villages with a population of 2,000 people or fewer.

While some might be put off by the idea of living in a sleepy Italian village, others may be enticed by the cash incentive and stunning scenery.

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