Latest news with #livingislands
The Independent
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Want to get paid £70,000 to move to a remote island? Here's how - but there's a catch
Ever dreamed of living on a remote island? Well, you could get paid £70,000 (€84,000) to do it. The Irish government is paying individuals to refurbish a property on one of the country's remote offshore islands. Part of the 'Our Living Islands' policy the initiative aims to boost the population of remote communities off the West Coast of Ireland. Anyone can apply and you do not need to be an Irish citizen to benefit. Properties up for grabs are located on islands such as Aran Islands, Clare Island, Dursey, Inishturk, Inishbofin and Bere, all boasting rugged coastlines, breathtaking views and individual charm. In total there are 23 inhabited offshore islands that qualify for the scheme. As of 2016, these islands had a combined population of just 2,734. But there's a catch, the properties up for grabs on these islands are derelict or vacant and will need major renovations. The 10-year national policy, which launched in 2023, aims to improve infrastructure and housing. Several Italian towns also make use of a similar scheme that sees vacant properties sold for €1. It's resulted in headlines about crumbling villas and fixer-upper failures since it started in 2017. Croatia and France have also launched schemes to help renovate derelict remote homes, but with the caveat that you will need to make it your home. In Japan, some countryside homes are sold for ¥1 or even for free in auction in hopes of boosting dwindling populations. However, applicants in Ireland can receive as much as €84,000 to refurbish the derelict properties into a residential home. But the grant is not for holidays homes and short-term rentals. The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant to refurbish vacant properties starts at €50,000 and an extra €20,000 is on offer to refurbish derelict properties. On the qualifying islands, the scheme can offer people €60,000 for the refurbishment of a vacant property, or up to €84,000 where the property is also derelict. However, to benefit from the scheme there is some criteria to meet. The island property needs to be vacant or derelict and built before 2007. It also needs to have been unoccupied for at least two years. The grant money can be used to do up the property and live in it or rent it out, but this must be done for a minimum of 10 years from the date of payment of the grant to avoid paying the grant back. If someone decides to sell the property in the first five years of receiving the grant they will need to reimburse the local authority. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said as of the end of March this year, a total of 35 island applications under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant have been received by relevant local authorities, with 22 approved.
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
You could live on a tiny remote island off the UK coast and get paid a staggering £70K a YEAR… but it's not all easy
A SCHEME could see you live on a tiny remote island off the UK coast and get paid a whopping £70K a year - but it's not all that easy. The initiative falls under the "Our Living Islands" policy, designed to attract more residents and breathe new life into remote communities. 8 8 8 The Irish government is offering individuals up to £70,000 to purchase a home on one of the country's remote islands. Around 23 inhabited offshore islands are eligible for the scheme. As of 2016, the combined population of these remote isles was just 2,734. The Aran Islands are the most famous ones in the scheme and feature three picturesque rocky isles, Inishmaan, Inisheer and Inishmore. However, the most remote island is Tory (Toraigh), which had a population of just 141 people as of 2023. Each isle has its own unique landscapes and features that shape its character and the lives of those who live there. The scheme is open to everyone, even if you're not an Irish citizen — but there's a catch. The £70,000 grant provided by the government is intended to renovate vacant or derelict homes on the island. They are not paying people to move there directly. The scheme aims to improve infrastructure in the area, which in turn will help create more sustainable communities. The beautiful home on Irish market for €750k with incredible island views Successful applicants must use the money solely for restoring properties, as it is not a lump sum that can be used for general living expenses. Renovating properties can be expensive, and once complete, the scheme does not permit the home to be used as a holiday let or short-term rental. Despite not needing to be an Irish citizen, applicants must meet certain criteria to qualify. To receive the grant, applicants must either own or be in the process of buying a property that meets the age and vacancy requirements. Those looking to move to one of these remote islands can only choose a vacant or derelict property built before 2007 that has been unoccupied for a minimum period. Applicants must also plan to live there permanently or rent the property out for at least 10 years to avoid having to repay large portions of the grant. If someone sells the property, stops using it as their main home, or it's no longer rented out, they may have to repay all or part of the grant to the local authority. In the first five years, homeowners must repay the full grant. Between five and ten years, they must repay 75 per cent of the grant. After ten years, homeowners can keep the property without repaying any of the grant. 8 8 8 8 8
