Receive 150 euros a month: Italian authorities lure new residents with cash payments

The Italian city of Mantua, located in the northern Italian region of Lombardy, has long been experiencing an aging population. To address this, the local government is ready to allocate money so that new residents can settle here.

According to euronews, we are talking about 150 euros per month. But to get it and live in one of Italy's cultural cities, you need to meet the requirements.

It is planned that about 100 applications for grants will be accepted per year.

What is known about the city of Mantua

It is a large city famous for its Renaissance palaces and excellent food.

The city has about 50,000 inhabitants. One of the most famous places is Palazzo Ducale, a palace fortress built by the ruling Gonzaga family between the 14th and 17th centuries.

It is the sixth largest palace in Europe with more than 500 rooms, seven gardens, and eight courtyards.

The architect is Giulio Romano, who also built the Camera degli Sposi (Wedding Room), often called the most beautiful room in the world.

The room is decorated with illusionistic frescoes by Andrea Mantegna with lush gardens, court scenes, and a ceiling with an oculus open to the painted sky.

Mantua is also known as the capital of gastronomy. One of the most famous dishes is tortelli di zucca, pasta with pumpkin, Parmesan, nutmeg, and amaretti biscuits.

Another popular pasta dish is bigoli con le sardelle, fatty spaghetti with onions, garlic and sardine sauce.

Be sure to try the elvezia cake, a dessert invented in the 18th century in honor of visiting Swiss chefs. It is made of three round layers of egg white, sugar and almond paste filled with chocolate or custard.

Conditions for receiving the Mantua grant

The City Council has a total of €400,000 for this initiative, €200,000 of which will be distributed this year and another €200,000 in 2024.

The funds will be used to pay rent for those who move to the city. New residents will receive 150 euros for rent per month.

Applicants must sign a lease agreement for at least a year.

The program is open to both families and individuals. Preference will be given to professionals with a salary of about 1,200-1,500 euros per month, although the income threshold has not yet been officially announced.

In addition, residents are promised affordable municipal kindergartens and schools.

The council sees this as a boost for the city and a valuable opportunity for new residents.

Applications for the program will be available by the end of the summer.

Why Mantua authorities pay for living in the city

The proposed scheme is aimed at rejuvenating the population in the city.

"If we add the aging of the population to the data on the falling birth rate, in the next few years, most Italian cities will have more people not working than those who are," says Mantua Mayor Mattia Palazzi.

According to local officials, by attracting new working residents over the next few years, the municipality will be able to manage public spending on social security more freely.