Italy’s Tuscany region is offering cash incentives for people to move into its underpopulated rural towns and villages.
USA Today reported the new initiative “Residenzialità in Montagna 2024” – which translates to “Residentiality in the Mountains 2024” – will offer between roughly $10,000 and $32,000 to anyone willing to relocation to a locality with 5,000 residents or less. The funds are meant to be used for purchase and renovation of residential property but cannot exceed more than half of the property’s price. Applicants can choose from 76 locations across the region.
According to the initiative’s website, the incentives are designed “to favor and encourage the repopulation and socio-economic revitalization of mountain areas, acting in contrast to the marginalization of these areas.”
More than 5,000 of Italy’s smaller towns and villages have become “perilously depopulated,” according to a 2016 study by Italy’s Ministry of Environment. The new initiative allocated about $3 million to encourage new residents.
However, there are some caveats for Americans seeking to apply – they must receive a residence permit “lasting no less than 10 years,” register as residents in their new locality and not already live in a mountain village. The properties being sought must also be permanent residences and not vacation homes.
Photo: Irene Steeves / Flickr Creative Commons
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