Beautiful part of Spain offers Brits £12,629 to move | World

In a bid to revitalise the picturesque but sparsely populated countryside, the regional government of Extremadura in Spain has announced a new initiative that could see remote workers paid up to £12,629 to relocate to the beautiful Ambroz Valley.

Known as “Live in Ambroz,” the program aims to attract digital nomads to this tranquil part of Spain by offering a financial incentive in exchange for a commitment to live in the region for at least two years.

The Ambroz Valley, located in the province of Extremadura, is a hidden gem known for its lush forests, charming villages and picturesque mountain views.

The peaceful atmosphere of this region is complemented by its rich cultural history, with highlights including the ancient Roman spa town of Baños de Montemayor and the famous Silver Greenway, which dates back to the Bronze Age.

The valley has also gained recognition for its sustainable tourism practices, as evidenced by the 2019 European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) award it received.

Despite its natural beauty and historical importance, the Ambroz Valley faces the challenges of “Empty Spain”, a phenomenon where rural areas suffer from population decline as their inhabitants migrate to urban centres.

Hervás, the most populous town in the valley, has a population of just under 4,000, while other villages, such as Segura de Toro, have just 181 people.

The new digital nomad program is part of a broader effort to reverse this trend by attracting new residents who can contribute to the local economy and community life.

Under the Live in Ambroz initiative, up to 200 eligible remote workers can receive grants of up to €15,000 (approximately £12,629) to cover accommodation and other relocation costs.

The exact amount of the subsidy depends on factors such as age, gender, and the population size of the city to which the applicant is moving. Women under 30 moving to smaller cities will receive the highest subsidies.

To be eligible to apply for the scholarship, candidates must not have lived in Extremadura for the last six months, must be legal residents of Spain and have a foreign identification number, and must work remotely in the technology sector.

Applications are expected to open in mid-September. Successful applicants are expected to integrate into their new communities, build connections, and potentially stimulate local economic activity.

The programme is part of a wider movement in Spain to combat rural depopulation and manage overtourism in urban centres.

If successful, the Live in Ambroz project could become a model for other regions facing similar challenges, breathing new life into beautiful but often overlooked rural areas of Spain.