Remote work untethered millions of people from the office — and a growing list of towns, states, and countries have noticed. Facing shrinking populations or hungry for fresh talent, they're offering hard cash, free coworking space, and even help buying a home just to get people to relocate. The catch? Most of these programs come with strings attached: minimum stay requirements, remote-employment rules, or a business plan you'll need to defend. Here's where the money actually is in 2026, and what it takes to qualify.
Get Paid to Move Within the U.S.
West Virginia — Up to $12,000 over two years
West Virginia's Ascend WV program has quietly become one of the most successful relocation initiatives in the country. Since launching in 2021, it's pulled in roughly 90,000 applications and welcomed well over 1,400 new residents, with a retention rate above 96%.
What you get: $12,000 in cash, paid out over your first year, plus a year of free outdoor recreation gear and passes and access to local coworking space.
What it takes: You need to be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or green card holder, and working remotely (or self-employed) for an employer based outside the state. Once accepted, you have six months to move and must commit to two years of residency in one of six participating regions — Charleston, the New River Gorge, the Greenbrier Valley, Morgantown, the Eastern Panhandle, or Greater Elkins. In 2026, the state also rolled out a companion track called Ascend Heroes, aimed specifically at military veterans relocating for in-state jobs.
Alaska — An annual dividend just for living there
Alaska doesn't pay you to move so much as it pays you to stay. The Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) shares out a slice of the state's oil and mineral revenue to every eligible resident, every year, indefinitely.
What you get: The amount is set annually by the legislature and has swung wildly in recent years — it landed around $1,000 in 2025, and after months of budget wrangling, 2026's payment settled at roughly $1,200 (a $1,000 dividend plus a separate $200 energy relief payment). It's worth checking pfd.alaska.gov each year, since the figure is never guaranteed in advance.
What it takes: You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and live in Alaska for the full calendar year before applying. Absences longer than 180 days can disqualify you, and having a felony conviction or residency claimed in another state will too.
Tulsa, Oklahoma — $10,000 to set up shop
Tulsa Remote, backed by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, is one of the longest-running and most studied relocation programs in the U.S. It's brought more than 4,000 remote workers to the city since 2018 and, according to Brookings research, has genuinely boosted local incomes and community ties.
What you get: $10,000 total — split between an upfront payment and a monthly stipend across your first year in the city — plus three years of free coworking membership and a network of community events. As of 2026, members also get a monthly wellness stipend and access to a visa-assistance track for international applicants.
What it takes: You must be 18+, legally able to work in the U.S., and either fully remote or self-employed for clients based outside Oklahoma. Applicants relocate within 12 months of acceptance and commit to staying at least a year. Acceptance is competitive — around 3% of applicants get in.
Topeka, Kansas — Up to $15,000 depending on your setup
The Choose Topeka initiative, running since 2020, targets both remote workers and people willing to relocate for a local job.
What you get: If you're moving for an in-person role with a participating employer, you can receive $10,000 toward rent or $15,000 toward a home purchase. Remote workers whose employer is outside Shawnee County can get up to $5,000 for rent or $10,000 for a home purchase.
What it takes: On-site hires need their employer enrolled in the program. Remote workers can apply after their first three months living in the county, alongside other eligibility criteria. It's not an automatic payout — you'll want to confirm your employer participates before counting on the money.
Get Paid to Move Abroad
Ireland — Up to €50,000 for entrepreneurs
Ireland's Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) isn't for anyone looking for a change of scenery — it's built for founders.
What you get: Up to €50,000 in funding, plus a two-year residency permission (a multiple-entry visa for nationals who need one). Entrepreneurs who stay and build in Ireland for five years can qualify for long-term residence.
What it takes: Any nationality can apply, but your company must be registered in Ireland. You'll need a solid business plan, supporting documents, and a €350 application fee.
Albinen, Switzerland — Cash to keep a mountain village alive
Albinen, a village of fewer than 250 people in the Swiss canton of Valais, pays new residents to move in and stay — literally.
What you get: Up to 25,000 Swiss francs per adult and 10,000 francs per child (roughly $27,000 and $11,000 respectively).
What it takes: This one has real strings: you must buy a house in Albinen and make it your primary home for at least ten years, be under 45, and already hold Swiss citizenship or a permanent residency permit (typically earned after 12 years of residence with a C permit, or through marriage to a Swiss citizen).
Chile — Up to $30,000 in startup funding
Startup Chile, based in Santiago, funds founders rather than general movers — but it's one of the more generous and inclusive programs on this list.
What you get: Around $20 million CLP (roughly $30,000) in equity-free funding and a one-year visa. The program also guarantees that half of all approved applicants are female-led ventures.
What it takes: A viable business plan and the willingness to build it in Chile. Santiago's relatively low taxes and cost of living sweeten the deal further.
Before You Pack Your Bags
None of these are "free money for existing" schemes — nearly every program above ties its payout to a minimum stay, a remote job outside the region, or a formal business plan. Read the fine print on residency requirements, clawback clauses if you leave early, and how the money is actually disbursed (lump sum vs. monthly installments) before you commit. Weigh the incentive against real cost-of-living numbers, healthcare access, and how well the place fits your life — the cash is a nice bonus, but it shouldn't be the only reason you go.
