The beautiful Greek island that's paying people £15k to move there

A remote island in the Aegean Sea is offering serious cash incentives to families who move there. In a bid to boost the dwindling population, which at its highest is around 65 people, the island will pay new residents €500 (£415) a month for three years after they move, totalling €18,000 (£15,000).

The Greek Orthodox Church has committed to making payments to reinvigorate Antikythera's diminishing community, which is home to just 24 full-time residents, but swells to 65 during the summer season. With many younger islanders moving away to seek employment opportunities, the population has fallen from around 300 over the last 40 years.

Mayor Andreas Harhalakis previously stated: "We need young families, large enough to make Antikythera alive and full of children's voices."

Until last year, the school had been shuttered for twenty-four years, according to the Greek Reporter,but it has now reopened after a young family moved to the island. The Greek City Times reported that four young families had relocated to Antikythera in 2023.

Applicants may be more likely to be successful if they are skilled in professions that contribute to the island's economy, such as fishing, baking, or construction.

There is one lone coffee shop that remains open throughout the year, which also serves as a grocery store, and for visitors, accommodation options include the island's lone hostel.

The tiny island is around just nine square miles, known for its wild beauty with low hills, shrubs, and steep limestone cliffs, and isolated sandy and pebble beaches, with one main village and port, Potamos.

While it is quiet, Giannis Tzinakos, a retired Greek Air Force general who now spends most of his time on the island, said there is "no other place in the world where you can find such absolute peace and quiet".

People are thought to have been enjoying the island for centuries, with archaeological evidence suggesting ancient settlements date back to 4000 BC.

Greek property firm Elxis reported in February that since the homes offered as part of the scheme haven't yet been built, applications, which will be followed by interviews, were not yet open.

Antikythera can be reached by ferry from the neighbouring island of Kythira, or from the port of Kissamos in Crete.