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Will Switzerland pay me to move there?

Albinen. Albinen, a charming town in Switzerland, invites people to move there and even pays for it to increase its population. Expats under 45 years of age are offered 20,000 Swiss Francs or around USD 21,000 for moving, and 10,000 Swiss Francs, or approximately USD 10,000 for moving their children.



Switzerland does have a high-profile incentive program, specifically in the small village of Albinen in the Valais canton, aimed at combating depopulation. As of 2026, the village offers up to 20,000 Swiss Francs (CHF) per adult and 10,000 CHF per child to families willing to relocate there. However, the requirements are exceptionally strict: you must be under 45 years of age, be a Swiss citizen or hold a "C" permit (which usually requires living in Switzerland for 5 to 10 years first), and commit to living in the village for at least 10 years. Additionally, you must purchase or build a home in Albinen valued at a minimum of 200,000 CHF. If you leave before the 10-year mark, you are legally required to pay back the incentive in full. While other small municipalities occasionally offer similar "remote work" or "family" grants, Switzerland does not have a general national program that pays foreigners to move to the country without significant pre-existing ties or financial investment.

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