Of the five countries below, Portugal comes closest to covering moving day costs. Its relocation program can help eligible workers cover even the cost of transporting their belongings. In Ireland, the biggest benefit comes after you find a home that needs work. In Spain, Italy and Greece, the savings could show up on your tax return. Which offer is worth a closer look depends on what you plan to do when you arrive. Mobilidade Apoiada para Um Interior Sustentável

Taking your job to Portugal’s interior

You may be able to keep your job and still qualify for moving assistance. Portugal’s Emprego Interior MAIS program covers several ways of working in designated inland communities, including taking a local job, starting a business, or working remotely for an employer abroad. Mobilidade Apoiada para Um Interior Sustentável

In 2026, the base grant is €3,759.91 for eligible workers with an open-ended contract or those creating their own job or business. A qualifying fixed-term contract lasting at least 12 months carries a smaller grant of €2,685.65. The base amount rises by 20% for each household member who moves with you, and you can also get an additional €805.70 to transport belongings for someone on an open-ended contract moving with a partner, bringing the total to €5,317.59. Check the program’s list of eligible locations before signing a lease. Mobilidade Apoiada para Um Interior Sustentável

Bringing an empty home back into use in Ireland

If an Irish property catches your eye, ask the seller two questions early. When was it built, and how long has it stood empty? Ireland’s Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant offers up to €50,000 toward approved work on a building constructed before 2008 and vacant for at least two years. An additional €20,000 may be available if you can document that the property is derelict. An empty house that needs a new kitchen and windows may qualify for the basic grant, but those repairs alone won’t secure the top-up. Local Government Ireland

You can apply while you’re negotiating the purchase if you have evidence, such as confirmation from the estate agent. The local authority must approve the proposed work in advance, and the finished property must become your permanent home or a registered rental. That makes the timing of the application as important as choosing the right house. Local Government Ireland

Starting a job in Spain

For someone weighing a Spanish job offer, it’s worth comparing take-home pay under the ordinary tax rules and the special regime often called the Beckham Law. Eligible workers who become Spanish tax residents can apply to have qualifying employment income taxed at 24% up to €600,000, with 47% applying to the portion above that threshold. The regime can cover the year you become a tax resident and the following five tax years. You have to elect it, so factor that step into your move. Régimen especial

Retiring on a foreign pension in Italy or Greece

In Italy, the town you choose matters. People receiving a pension from abroad who transfer their tax residence to a qualifying municipality can opt for a 7% tax on eligible foreign income. The scheme covers smaller communities in southern regions including Sicily, Puglia and Calabria, as well as certain earthquake-affected municipalities. If you’re comparing two towns in the same region, check each municipality’s eligibility before assuming the tax bill will be the same. www1.agenziaentrate.gov.it

In Greece, start with your tax history. People receiving a foreign pension who transfer their tax residence to Greece may qualify for a 7% rate on foreign-source income for up to 15 years. Applicants must have lived outside the Greek tax system for at least five of the previous six years and must move from a country with a tax cooperation agreement with Greece. For a retiree choosing between the two countries, Italy’s list of qualifying towns and Greece’s residency test are practical places to begin.