Is a Swiss Town Really Paying Expats Thousands to Move There?

In recent weeks, some UK media outlets have claimed that people moving to Switzerland could receive a 20,000-franc grant. But is a town in the Swiss Alps really offering large sums to attract new residents? Let’s find out.

Swiss Alpine Town Reportedly Offers Grants to Newcomers

The story began on January 5 when the British tabloid The Daily Mirror published an article titled “World’s happiest country is two hours from the UK – and they’ll pay you to move there.” The article claimed that Switzerland offers 20,000 francs to families who relocate to enjoy one of Europe’s highest standards of living.

According to the report, families can receive 20,000 francs per adult under 45 and 10,000 francs per child if they settle in Albinen, a small village in the Canton of Valais. However, there are conditions: newcomers must buy a house worth at least 200,000 francs, commit to living there for 10 years, and become Swiss citizens.

Is This Story Accurate? Are they really paying expats thousands to relocate?

The claim may sound enticing, but there are significant inaccuracies.

• Grant Eligibility: The grant is only available to permanent residents of Switzerland (those with a C-permit) and Swiss citizens. Expats moving from abroad cannot qualify.
• Local, Not National: The funding isn’t provided by the Swiss government but by Albinen’s local authorities.
• Old News: This initiative was introduced back in 2017, specifically to repopulate the small village, which then had fewer than 100 residents. It was aimed at families to help reopen the local school.
  Moreover, there’s no evidence that the scheme is still active. At the time, it was designed for just five to ten families.

Misinformation Sparks a Wave of Applications

When Albinen announced the scheme in 2017, media coverage quickly led to global interest. The local council reportedly received over 12,000 applications, mostly from overseas. However, strict rules disqualified nearly all applicants.

Former Mayor Beat Jost recalled how chaotic it became: “Some people arrived with suitcases, expecting money and apartments. It was crazy.” He explained that only 1% of applications were serious.

How Did the UK Media Get It Wrong?

The recent reports stem from a chain of recycled and inaccurate stories. The Daily Mirror referenced a November 2024 article by The Daily Express, which quoted a relocation company, Seven Seas Worldwide. Their source? A 2023 Daily Mail article that cited outdated 2018 reports, leading back to the initial buzz when the scheme launched.

Was the Scheme Successful?

Despite the confusion, Albinen’s initiative did attract a few new residents. Since 2017, 38 people, including 11 children, have moved to the village. The first family to benefit was from the Swiss canton of Aargau in 2018.

While Albinen’s efforts brought some new life to the village, the story serves as a cautionary tale about how misinformation spreads. If you’re dreaming of a move to Switzerland, it’s best to verify the facts first!