Forget paying for a holiday in Tuscany – now you can get one paid to enjoy life there.
Regional authorities in Tuscany have announced they will pay up to 25,000 pounds (30,000 euros/32,000 dollars) to people moving to mountain villages.
The new Mountain Residence (Residenzialita in Montagna) programme offers people grants ranging from €10,000 to €30,000 (£8,470-£25,000) to help cover the costs of buying and renovating a home.
Tuscany has allocated a total of €2.8m (£2.3m) to the scheme to encourage people to move to towns in the region with declining populations.
According to the program website‘The aim of the intervention is to promote and encourage repopulation and socio-economic revitalization of mountain areas by acting against the marginalization of these areas.’
Regional authorities in Tuscany have announced that they will pay up to £25,000 (€30,000) to people who move to mountain villages. Above, Santa Fiora, one of the towns taking part in the scheme
But are there any exceptions? Firstly, the location: it only applies to houses in mountain towns with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants.
Although there are 76 to choose from since, according to 2022 population data published by regional authorities.
These include the spa town of San Casciana dei Bagni, known for its thermal baths, Santa Fiora, known for its hot springs, and Caprese Michelangelo, the birthplace of the Renaissance artist Michelangelo.
The program applies only to homes in mountain towns with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, such as Caprese Michelangelo, the birthplace of artist Michelangelo (pictured).
Another rule states that the financial contribution received cannot exceed 50 percent of the cost of the home and its renovation.
Applicants must be Italian citizens, EU citizens or non-EU citizens “of legal age”, holders of a residence permit with a duration of no less than ten years.
They must also be registered as residents in an Italian city that is not a mountain community.
Finally, successful applicants will have to make the Tuscan property their permanent residence.
Applications can be made at the Tuscany region website and must be submitted before 13:00 CET on 27 July.