In an effort to combat the dwindling population in its mountain towns, Tuscan authorities have launched a unique incentive scheme. The “Residency in the Mountains 2024” initiative offers individuals between €10,000 ($A16,000) and €30,000 ($A48,000) to purchase homes in the region’s rural villages.
Applicants can use the funds to buy a house in one of Tuscany’s 119 mountain towns, each with a population of less than 5,000. Many of these towns suffer from depopulation and abandoned properties as residents move to larger cities for job opportunities.
Stefania Saccardi, Tuscany’s regional vice president, highlighted the beauty and potential of these areas, calling them “territories of unique beauty with villages to be rediscovered.” She emphasized that living in these municipalities is both a challenge and an opportunity, particularly for young people seeking a new life path.
The scheme is open to Italian and EU citizens, with specific conditions for non-EU citizens, including a long-term residence permit and registration in an Italian town not classified as a mountain community. Interested individuals can find the list of eligible towns and submit their applications on the Tuscany Region website before July 27.
