"Move to a Remote Island and Receive 100 Million Won in Cash"... Ireland Offers Unprecedented Relocation Support Funds

Support Provided for Relocation to Islands Outside the Mainland
Concerns Over 20 Years of Population Decline on Surrounding Islands

Ireland has attracted attention by announcing a policy to provide 100 million won in support funds to those who move to its remote islands.

One of the subsidy target locations, Inishmore Island
[Photo by Ireland Tourism Board]

According to the US CBS broadcast on the 19th (local time), the Irish government recently announced that it will provide up to $92,000 (approximately 118 million won) to people who purchase houses and move to about 30 islands located in the Atlantic Ocean outside the mainland.

The support fund target areas include Inishmore, the filming location of the movie "The Banshees of Inisherin," which was nominated for an Academy Award last year.

Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands located in the western sea of Ireland, is an island visited by many tourists due to its rugged coastline and long history.

The government's decision to provide support funds is understood to be because the total population of the islands around Ireland has been continuously decreasing over the past 20 years.

The total population of the islands is less than 3,000, and some places have only two permanent residents, but since about 300,000 tourists visit every year, the islands are very important tourism resources.

A scene from the movie 'The Banshees of Inisherin,' filmed against the backdrop of Ireland [Photo source=YouTube]

To receive support, migrants must purchase a house built before 2008 that has been vacant for at least two years, then submit an application and obtain approval from the local city or county council.

Those who repair vacant buildings are given remodeling costs of $67,000 (approximately 86 million won), and if they repair abandoned buildings, they can receive $92,000 (approximately 118 million won).

The support funds must be used only for demolition and repair work such as roof replacement and structural work.

Foreigners, including Americans, can purchase houses on the Irish islands, but purchasing a house does not automatically grant the right to reside in Ireland.

However, foreigners can obtain residency rights if they receive a work permit in Ireland or submit an investment or business plan.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.