Top 7 Countries That Will Pay You to Visit (or Move) in 2025
Want to be paid to travel? In 2025 several countries and regions are running bold programs that either pay people to relocate, provide cash/grants to remote workers, or sponsor influencers and visitors with free trips or stipends. These deals aren’t “free money” — most come with strings (work/visa requirements, residency periods, content commitments, or restricted applicant pools) — but if you can meet the conditions they can make travel cheaper, or even profitable. Here are the top seven places to watch (and how to apply).
1. Spain — grants for digital nomads & rural-revival programs
Spain has been one of the most active countries offering cash incentives to attract remote workers and new residents — especially in depopulated regions. A standout is the “Live in Ambroz” program in Extremadura, which set aside funds to give successful remote-worker applicants grants up to around €15,000 to relocate and live in the Ambroz Valley for a minimum period. The goal: reverse rural depopulation by paying for housing, set-up costs and integration programs for tech and remote professionals who commit long term. If you’re a remote worker who can secure Spain’s digital nomad visa and meet eligibility this can turn a sabbatical into a seriously subsidized year abroad.
What to know: grants are limited in number, typically require you to become a legal resident in Spain (NIE), and may be targeted to specific sectors (often tech). Do your homework on visa and tax implications before you move.
2. Italy — €1 houses, relocation grants and generous local incentives
Italy’s “get people back into villages” movement continues to be one of the most publicized ways to be effectively paid to live somewhere — with variations across regions. From €1 homes in tiny towns (which usually require you to renovate within a timeframe) to regional relocation grants (Sardinia, Trentino and other areas have run programs that include renovation subsidies, free rent for a few months, or even substantial relocation grants), Italy’s mix of symbolic homes and cash incentives remains strong in 2025. The northern region of Trentino has even announced very large relocation packages for selected new residents (with important conditions).
What to know: many “€1” or grant programs aren’t unconditional — you’ll usually need to commit to renovating, live there for years, or meet local requirements. Always check the official municipal site and not only headline lists.
3. Greece — digital-nomad visa + income-tax incentives
Greece has become a magnet for remote workers in 2024–25 thanks to a clear digital-nomad visa and tax incentives for those who transfer tax residency. The headline benefit frequently mentioned in guides: eligible remote workers who become Greek tax residents can access a reduced tax regime — in many cases a 50% reduction on income tax for a set period (commonly cited as up to seven years for qualifying professionals). Combine that with Greece’s low living costs, islands and excellent climate, and it’s no surprise people are choosing to live and work there.
What to know: eligibility rules vary and usually require that you haven’t been a Greek tax resident for a number of prior years, meet income thresholds and apply formally for the regime — so check official immigration/tax guidance before you count on the savings.
4. New Zealand — visitor rules & targeted outreach for digital nomads/influencers
New Zealand took a very public step in early 2025 to relax and clarify visitor/working rules targeted at remote workers and influencers, making it easier for digital creators and skilled remote professionals to spend longer stretches there while working for foreign employers. The government framed the change as part of a wider campaign to revive tourism and attract high-earning visitors to boost local spending. While New Zealand’s measures are not “cash payouts” per se, the visa flexibility and outreach packages (sometimes including promotional hosting/invitations for creators) effectively make it cheaper and easier to live and create content there — a strong indirect financial incentive for creators.
What to know: New Zealand remains careful about local job markets; such visitation/working programs come with eligibility rules and sometimes invitations or partnerships with tourism boards. If you’re an influencer or nomad, official promotion partnerships can include paid stays, transport subsidies or marketing deals.
5. United Arab Emirates (Dubai) — paid influencer programmes & hospitality sponsorships
Dubai has moved aggressively into sponsored content and creator training as part of a tourism push. A high-profile example in 2025: Dubai’s “influencer academy” — a government-backed program run with partners that trains creators and, according to coverage, provides salaries, accommodation and access to exclusive locations for participants. For travel creators this is a direct route to being paid to visit — via funded residencies, sponsored briefings or government hospitality schemes.
What to know: these programs target people who can create professional, high-reach content and are often competitive. Be sure you fully understand any exclusivity or content obligations before accepting an offer.
6. China — invitation or sponsored trips for select influencers and delegations
China has, on occasion, organized fully funded trips for international influencers, student delegations and cultural ambassadors as part of soft-power and tourism promotion programs. Recent reporting in 2025 highlighted organized, fully-funded 10-day itineraries for US influencers under exchange programs — not an open “apply and get paid” scheme for everyone, but a real path for creators with substantial followings who can be invited and sponsored. For creators building a niche, such invitations can effectively pay you to visit.
What to know: these are targeted programs, typically with selection criteria (follower counts, audience demographics, language, content alignment). They require diplomacy and disclosure: know the rules about sponsored trips, reporting, and any required messaging.
7. Denmark (Copenhagen) — reward programs for sustainable tourist actions
Not all “payment” schemes are big cash grants or relocation bonuses. Copenhagen piloted a creative incentive program called CopenPay that rewarded visitors and locals for low-carbon, sustainable actions (e.g., collecting litter, volunteering, choosing public transport) with perks such as free lunches, coffee or wine from participating businesses. It’s a model other cities may copy: micro-payments, vouchers or in-kind rewards for tourists who do the “right” thing — a practical way to save money while visiting. For travellers who care about sustainability, these programs are an immediate way to get value for doing good.
What to know: rewards are local and small in scale (vouchers and freebies rather than large cash grants) but they’re real, community-facing incentives that can reduce trip costs while supporting sustainable tourism.
Quick tips if you want to get paid to visit (or move) in 2025
Read the fine print. Many programs are time-limited, target specific professions, or require legal residency and a minimum stay. Don’t assume headlines = guaranteed cash.
Check visa & tax implications early. A relocation grant can be neutralized by a surprise tax or residency rule if you don’t qualify. Use official government websites or a qualified immigration/tax adviser.
Target your pitch. If you’re an influencer, apply to official tourism board programs or accepted creator academies; if you’re a remote worker, look for regional digital-nomad grants and local integration programs. Document your eligibility (income, portfolio, residency history). \
Be flexible on location. Many of these incentives are aimed at rural revival — small towns and islands often pay more for long-term commitments than big cities.
Confirm authenticity. Local municipality sites and national government pages are the only safe sources for application links and eligibility details — avoid scams that recycle clickbait lists without official links.
Final note
Getting paid to visit in 2025 is less fairy tale and more targeted opportunity: governments and tourism boards are willing to pay some visitors who deliver specific value — whether that’s bringing a remote income stream to revitalize a village, creating high-reach content for a tourism campaign, or taking part in sustainable tourism actions. If you’re strategic (and honest about what you can offer), you can turn travel into a subsidized — even profitable — adventure this year.
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