Madrid (EFE).- Depopulation is one of the challenges faced by hundreds of municipalities in Spain that, year after year, see how their population is getting older and, therefore, many towns offer “unique” incentives such as giving away land in exchange for working it, offering free housing or giving newborns a kilo of bread and cheese.
Spain has nearly 5,000 towns in which fewer than 1,000 people live, according to data from the Continuous Register released by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), and the municipalities of Empty Spain, that is, 84% of the towns from the interior of the peninsula with less than 5,000 inhabitants, have lost more than 58,000 people in the last five years.
These are some of the advantages of living in towns:
Andalusia: free plots
In Vejer de la Frontera (Cádiz) the tradition of Hazas de la suerte continues, a peculiar system of exploitation of communal lands that has existed since 1288, when King Sancho IV decided to give away land to encourage the population to settle in the municipality.
Every year, generally coinciding with the Christmas Lottery draw, residents who were born in Vejer or have lived in the municipality for more than twenty years enter a draw for which they may win one of the 232 “hazas”, or plots of work, and exploit them for four years, which means an extra income of about 6,000 euros in the four years for the lucky ones.
Aragon: 1,400 euros, a gift of bread and cheese for being born
In Utrillas (Teruel), the parents of children born in 2022 received one of the 23 checks for 1,400 euros, which is accompanied by artisan cheese and one-kilo bread to validate the saying that children are born with one under the arm.
Six municipalities in the Somontano region (Huesca) offer new settlers a welcome kit that includes a keyring for the keys to their new home, a welcome letter, a calendar with local holidays, an album in which to leave memories the first year, a voucher for guided tours of the region and a document with instructions for editing a video presentation of the new children.
Asturias: tax relief of up to a thousand euros
In Asturias, the residents of 53 councils at risk of depopulation receive deductions of up to a thousand euros for rent, for the acquisition and rehabilitation of housing, for the establishment of self-employed workers in rural areas or for the expenses derived from nursery schools.
Cantabria: personalized medication dispensing system
In Cantabria, a personalized drug dispensing system has been implemented to reinforce healthcare for elderly patients and polymedicated people residing in rural areas.
Castilla-La Mancha: deductions of up to 25% of personal income tax
In Castilla-La Mancha there are deductions in the regional section of personal income tax of up to 25% for taxpayers who have their habitual residence in sparsely populated municipalities.
A 15% deduction is also established for the acquisition or rehabilitation of the habitual residence and for the transfer of residence for work reasons.
Castilla y León: plot almost free for life
In the Valladolid town of Villabrágima each year they launch a communal distribution of land known as the “quiñones”, which dates back to the 15th century, and consists of giving a 2.5-hectare plot for life to all those registered over the age of 25 years in exchange for a symbolic canon, so that they work the land and can stay in the town.
Catalonia: housing for young people at 50%
In Torrebesses (Lleida), the town hall grants a 95% discount on the construction license for those under 35 years of age and, in Camarasa (Lleida), 11 public plots for young families have been put up for sale at half price.
Valencian Community: free housing for one year
El Toro (Castellón), a municipality with 281 inhabitants and which has gained 43 residents in one year, grants one hundred euros a month for each child up to 12 years of age to keep their school open and offers housing for a year to help families settle.
Extremadura: 3,000 euros per child and school expenses paid
In Madrigalejo (Cáceres) 3,000 euros are paid for birth or adoption and, in Higuera de la Llerena (Badajoz), the cost of school expenses is covered, in addition to things related to personal hygiene and personalized bibs.
Galicia: up to 5,000 euros if you have two children
In the Ferrolterra region, aid is allocated to the families of babies born in January 2022: 1,000 euros for the first child born, adopted or fostered; 2,000 more if he has functional diversity, 2,000 for the second and 3,000 if he has a disability.
La Rioja: rent and expenses at 20%
The Government of La Rioja offers a deduction of 20% of the rent and electricity and gas expenses for emancipated young people under 36 years of age who have their habitual residence in small municipalities.
Murcia: up to 10,800 euros to purchase a home
In Murcia, young people who want to buy a home in municipalities with less than 10,000 inhabitants can receive up to 10,800 euros, with a limit of 20% of the purchase price.
Navarra: free housing
In Navarra, the Azuelo City Council, with 31 registered residents, offered to manage the civic center, which functions as a bar and social venue, with the incentive to give the winners a recently renovated home for free.
Basque Country: 1,500 euros for starting a business
In Álava, the council offers a deduction of 1,000 euros for starting an economic activity in rural areas, and if the entrepreneur is a woman, 1,500 euros.