Grants and Subsidies for Living in Spanish Villages

In recent decades, Spain has faced a demographic and socioeconomic challenge that marks a turning point in its history: depopulation (nearly 40% of Spanish municipalities are at risk of depopulation) and rural flight.

Although the term “Empty Spain” (España vaciada) has become popular to describe this issue, it is essential to understand that the situation is far more complex than it appears at first glance. While cities grow and thrive, rural areas are emptying out.

Are you thinking about moving to a village? At Fotocasa, we analyze the range of public support schemes, direct grants, and tax breaks available in 2026 so you know the exact requirements before taking the leap.

With so many regional and national options, how much money can you actually receive for relocating to a Spanish village today?

What are the state grants to buy or build a home in small municipalities in 2026?

Currently, there are several grants to buy a home in Spain in rural areas. At the national level, people under 35 can access a direct subsidy of up to €15,000 per property through the new state framework. The State Housing Plan 2026–2030 includes this specific scheme for purchasing or building a primary residence in towns or settlements of up to 10,000 inhabitants.

The grant is capped at 20% of the purchase price or construction cost. To qualify for the subsidy, the total household income must generally be below 5 times the IPREM (Spain’s Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator).

Although the regulatory framework is set by the national government, the administration and launch of applications rest entirely with the housing departments of each autonomous community.

Below, we detail which autonomous communities offer grants to move to rural villages.

Which autonomous communities offer the highest direct grants to live in rural areas?

Autonomous communities have introduced direct grant programs with amounts ranging from €2,900 up to €40,000 per applicant.

Source: Regional and provincial housing and demographic challenge calls, updated for 2026.

As shown in the table above, La Rioja and Extremadura offer Spain’s highest individual grants to establish a primary residence in rural settings.

1. La Rioja: Plan REVIVE up to €40,000

The REVIVE Plan in La Rioja supports the purchase, renovation, or self-build of a primary residence in towns of up to 5,000 inhabitants. It is aimed at people up to 45 years old with incomes equal to or lower than 6 times the IPREM (€3,600 per month). The maximum eligible property or project cost is capped at €220,000 excluding taxes.

• Up to 500 inhabitants: grant of up to 40% of the total cost, capped at €40,000.
• From 501 to 2,000 inhabitants: grant of up to 30%, capped at €30,000.
• From 2,001 to 5,000 inhabitants: grant of up to 20%, capped at €20,000.

The deadline to submit applications to the Government of La Rioja is open until June 1, 2027.

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2. Extremadura: up to €15,000 for remote workers

The program to attract digital nomads to Extremadura offers up to €15,000 to those who relocate their tax residence and remote work activity to the region. To qualify for the maximum amount, applicants must commit to registering on the municipal census (empadronamiento) and maintaining continuous residence for 36 months in municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, or otherwise be a woman or under 30 years old. In addition, local initiatives such as the Vive en Ambroz scheme (Cáceres) offer up to €15,000 for settling in their towns.

3. Galicia: home purchases in rural municipalities

The Regional Government of Galicia (Xunta de Galicia) is keeping open its specific call for grants aimed at young adults under 36 who purchase or self-build a home in municipalities of up to 10,000 inhabitants. The application window remains active until November 16, 2026.

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4. León: Rural Youth Housing Program

The Provincial Council of León (Diputación de León) provides a direct grant designed for individuals aged 18 to 36 (extendable to 39 for young farmers) registered on the census in towns across León. It includes €2,900 for purchase or construction, €2,500 for renovation, and €2,000 for rent.

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What personal income tax (IRPF) deductions can you claim for moving to a village?

Relocating your residence to a sparsely populated area allows you to apply direct deductions to the regional portion of your personal income tax when filing your tax return (Declaración de la Renta), especially when the move is tied to employment reasons.

Source: Regional tax regulations and Law 2/2021 on measures against depopulation.

As the table above illustrates, regional tax reductions cover rental costs, job relocations, and the purchase of a primary residence.

• Castilla-La Mancha: in addition to the €500 for employment-related relocation (applicable in more than 500 municipalities categorized under intense or extreme depopulation), the region offers deductions of up to 25% on personal income tax for actual residence in sparsely populated areas and a reduced Property Transfer Tax (ITP) rate of 3% for young adults.
• Cantabria: applies a €500 deduction across two tax years for employment relocation to municipalities with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants or low population density, alongside a 20% deduction for renting in areas facing demographic decline.
• Galicia: waives Property Transfer Tax in sparsely populated areas through its Zero Taxes in Rural Areas program and offers a 15% deduction for purchasing or renovating homes in model villages (aldeas modelo).

Spanish villages offering money and employment to move there

Several local town councils and regional initiatives offer comprehensive employment and housing packages designed to reverse population loss.

1. Villasayas (Soria): this municipality of 65 inhabitants offers families with children a part-time municipal employment contract as a laborer, along with the management of the local village bar and access to renovated municipal housing.
2. Almadrones (Guadalajara): channels private job openings within the local hospitality sector with salaries between €1,100 and €1,600 per month (14 payments per year) that include room and board.
3. Support platforms: specialized networks such as Proyecto Arraigo, Pueblos Vivos (Aragón), and the Confederación de Centros de Desarrollo Rural provide tailored guidance to families and remote workers by connecting them with housing and land banks.

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Is it worth moving to a village in Spain in 2026?

The combination of non-repayable grants (reaching up to €40,000 in La Rioja or €15,000 in Extremadura and under the State Plan) together with tax incentives of up to €500 per year makes small towns a financially compelling residential choice.

This makes it an ideal option for remote workers, young adults under 35, and buyers with modest savings who want to stretch their budget further. If you are looking to apply for these programs, make sure to first check the mandatory municipal registration (empadronamiento) deadlines (typically within 1 to 3 months following the purchase) and consult your autonomous community’s official registry of municipalities at risk of depopulation.

What about you—would you consider moving your primary residence to a Spanish village to take advantage of these incentives, or do you prefer city living?