Get Paid to Move to This Greek Island? Here’s What We Know About Antikythera

The idea sounds almost too good to be true: A quiet Greek island, free housing, and up to €500 a month to live there.

My feed has been flooded with the news of Antikythera, an island in Greece, and the story of getting paid to move there. But how much of this story is actually real? And could you really pack your bags and move tomorrow?

Tiny Island, but a Big Problem

Image credit: Charalambos Andronos from Getty Images

Tucked between Crete and the Peloponnese, Antikythera is home to fewer than 50 permanent residents. Like many rural destinations across Europe, its population has been shrinking for decades.

To reverse this, local authorities, along with the Greek Orthodox Church of Kythera, have explored ways to attract new long-term residents, not tourists.

This is where the now-viral “get paid to move” story begins.

The Offer: What’s Been Reported

Various reports over the years suggest that selected families may receive:

• A monthly allowance of around €500 for up to three years

• Housing (or land to build a home)

• Basic support to help them settle into island life

In total, that works out to roughly €18,000 to €20,000 in financial support.

Sounds like a dream? Well, there’s a catch.

The Reality

Despite the headlines, this is not an open, ready-to-apply programme. But there are things that they don't tell you...

• It’s highly selective
  Priority is typically given to families (often with multiple children) and those with practical skills like farming or construction

• No clear public application system
  There isn’t a simple website where you can sign up

• Housing isn’t always ready
  Some reports suggest construction delays and limited availability

• It’s not a government-wide programme
  It’s largely a local initiative, not a national relocation scheme

Why Families Are the Focus

Image credit: Charalambos Andronos from Getty Images

This initiative isn’t about attracting digital nomads or short-term expats. It’s about rebuilding a community. Local leaders want:

• Schools to reopen

• Businesses to stay alive

• Daily life to feel sustainable again

That’s why families and people who can contribute to island life are prioritised.

What Life There Is Really Like

Image credit: Charalambos Andronos from Getty Images

Antikythera isn’t Santorini or Mykonos. Life here is:

• Quiet and slow-paced

• Surrounded by raw, untouched nature

• Deeply community-driven

But it also means:

• Limited shops and services

• Dependence on ferry schedules

• Travelling for healthcare or education

For some, that’s a dream. For others, it’s a big adjustment.

Part of a Bigger Trend

Antikythera isn’t alone. Across Europe and beyond, smaller towns are offering incentives to attract residents as populations decline.

From Italy’s €1 homes to regional grants in Spain and Greece, this reflects a growing shift: Places are looking for people, not just visitors.

So… Can You Really Move There?

Technically, yes. But realistically, it’s not as easy, or as immediate, as social media makes it seem.

Think of it less as: “Get paid to live your Greek island dream”, and more as: “Commit to rebuilding a remote community, with a little support along the way”.