13 Companies That Pay You To Move to Scotland!

Did you know you can get paid to move to Scotland? 

I’ve loved all the time I spent in Scotland 🙂

From admiring Edinburgh’s medieval charm to exploring the gorgeous Isle of Skye to trying to spot the Loch Ness Monster and of course, just enjoying everyday Scottish life, it’s absolutely great. 

Read on as I break down all the details that can help you call Scotland home.

Soon, you might find yourself enjoying the rich Scottish history, stunning landscapes, and breaking into the Ceilidh dance!

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The Island Bond Fund – UPDATE : Now Scrapped

You have probably heard about Scotland’s Island Bond and have been very excited about the prospect of getting a cool £50,000 (USD $64,190) to move to an island. 

Sadly, the plan for the Island Bond Fund has been recently scrapped.

Here’s what happened.

In 2021, the Scottish Government made a proposal to reduce the islands’ depopulation with a scheme called the Islands Bond. 

The plan was to attract young families and individuals to reside on the Scottish islands and offer them a £50,000 (USD $64,190) incentive. 

The scheme hoped to foster innovation and stimulate local economies with this.

When the plan was announced, people worldwide were excited at the prospects. 

However, when the government looked deeper, they realized that those who were on board with this idea were mainly non-islanders. 

The island locals themselves were opposed to the idea and unconvinced that the Island Bond was the right solution to tackle their depopulation.

The islanders pointed out an issue where people might just take up the offer for the monetary reward instead of genuinely wanting to be a part of the island communities. 

This will not fare well in their close-knit communities, and they fear a shift in their societies.

Key figures like Liam McArthur, the Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney, criticized the bond as an election gimmick. 

He wanted a plan that addressed the root cause of the decreasing population.

For example, the need for affordable housing, broadband connectivity, and better infrastructure and transportation system.

The Scottish government’s Rural Affairs and Islands Secretary accepted this criticism. 

She clarified that the Islands Bond was not the only solution to their population challenges and promised to reassess their strategy.

So, with all that considered, the £5 million (USD $6.9 million) fund has been officially scrapped. 

I know this seems like a bummer for those of us that were excited about this program and wondering “how to move to Scotland with no money” or “move to Scotland for 50k, how to apply”.

However, I think the reasoning is fair, and hopefully, the islanders get better infrastructure and support to help them thrive.

If you still want to move to Scotland for money, I’ve got an interesting offer to share. Read on! 

Get Paid To Move To The Isle Of Rona

Still dreaming to move to an island in Scotland and get paid? How does a deserted one with a population of 2 people and 180 deer sound?

No, I’m not pulling your leg!

If the thought of leaving everything behind and moving to a tranquil, deserted place has ever occurred to you, then there’s an offer for you.

The Isle of Rona seeks a hard-working full-time estate worker to help with the island maintenance. 

The role is quite expansive, and if you’re vegan or vegetarian, you might want to give it a miss as it involves venison processing.

Aside from that, you’ll need to maintain the island’s two vacation homes, handle housekeeping, and manage the deer. 

You’ll also have to maintain the solar panels, generators, boats, and machinery.

Yup, you do gotta work to earn your keep on the Isle of Rona. 

While the exact salary is undisclosed, your compensation will include accommodation on the island with amazing sea views.

The perfect candidate would be someone who enjoys solitude but can still be sociable with guests, visitors, and workmates. 

But don’t worry about unscheduled socializing draining your social battery;

The only way to get to Rona is by private boat, so you will always know when guests are coming! 

Most times, you can spend uninterrupted Netflix sessions on your laptop or TV 🙂

If you’re up for a challenge and want to experience what it’s like being somewhere isolated with a 90-to-1 deer-to-human ratio, send your application over to ronalodge@isleofrona.com 

Who knows, a tranquil life might just be what’s next for you! 

13 Companies That Pay You To Move To Scotland

If you’re asking yourself, “How to move to Scotland and get a job”, these companies offer some pretty cool opportunities for you. 

Whether you’re looking to get paid to move to Scotland from England or Moving to Scotland from US, or anywhere else in the world, these job prospects will help you find something, and you’ll be working in Scotland in no time 🙂

1. 4xtra Hands

Here’s an excellent platform for you to find agricultural jobs all over Scotland. You can find all sorts of roles, from general farm work to specialized roles.

2. Adzuna

Adzuna is a top-rated job board that features job listings across multiple sectors in Scotland. You can find opportunities in IT, administration, healthcare, and more.

3. Be Personnel

Specializing in a diverse range of industries, they help you find your perfect fit in Scotland. You can find opportunities in all sectors here. 

4. Eden Scott

Eden Scoot is a Scotland-based recruitment agency that can help you find roles in companies like Gretna Green, Hamilton Park, and NHA, to name a few. They cover all sorts of industries. 

5. Farming UK

They offer a range of farming and agricultural jobs in Scotland, perfect if you want hands-on, outdoor work.

6. Firstsource

A global company with substantial recruitment packages. They offer positions in various sectors, including customer service, banking, healthcare, and insurance,

7. Global Highland

This agency has various roles in industries like hospitality, construction, and commercial sectors. They place over 3,000 workers in the Scottish workforce every month.

8. Greycoat Lumleys

This recruitment agency has roles like property and grounds maintenance, housekeeping, and personal shopping, with a competitive salary and living arrangement.

9. Gumtree

A well-known job resource providing permanent farming, agriculture jobs, and even management positions in various sectors.

10. Luxury Scotland

Offers job roles in hospitality, guest services, or property maintenance in prestigious and high-standard luxury establishments. 

You could work in some of the most beautiful locations in Scotland.

11. Medpace

This health-oriented company offers you jobs related to medical equipment management, clinical development, and assistant jobs with full benefits.

They focus on the health and biotech sectors.

12. News Now 

This is a unique platform offering farm work opportunities that come with accommodation, perfect if you want to immerse yourself in rural life.

13. Orbex

They focus on aviation, software, and engineering. Currently, they have openings for hiring managers and technicians. 

Moving To Scotland

Moving to Scotland is a great idea. It’s an amazing destination, which I personally love, and it has stunning landscapes, great culture, and is known for its friendly people.

The cost of living in Scotland is also about 47% lower than in other UK cities like London.

It’s quite the ideal place to move to if you’re wondering, “Can I move to Scotland and get paid?”.  

But first, let’s look at the visa requirements and other important information you need to know before moving.

• Who Needs A Visa?

Anyone who’s a non-UK resident will need a visa to work and set up a business in Scotland. 

However, Irish citizens and those with Indefinite Leave to Remain don’t need a visa.

You should apply for your visa at least 3 months before the date of your travel. Usually, the visa application decision takes about 3 weeks. 

• What Type Of Visa Do You Need?

The type of visa depends on your circumstance, job, and skills. 

Below are the visa options, and you can check the exact visa you need in advance to prepare yourself. 

• Skilled Worker Visa – If you have a job offer from a licensed sponsor in the UK for a skilled job. You need to meet a minimum salary threshold and prove English language proficiency.
• Health And Care Visa – This visa is designed for eligible health and social care professionals and is part of the Skilled Worker Visa route. But, it has faster decision times and lower application fees.
• Intra-Company Visas – If you’re moving on a transfer from a multinational company, this is the visa for you. 
• Global Talent Visa – This visa is if you’ve been endorsed as a recognized or emerging leader and work in a qualified field. 
• Innovator Visa – If you’re a non-EEA national and want to build your business in the UK, this visa is suitable.  You will need £50,000 (USD $64,190) in investment funds, with certain exceptions.
• Start-Up Visa – This is for anyone with an innovative, viable, and scalable start-up business idea. 
• Youth Mobility Scheme – If you’re between the ages of 18 to 30, you can apply for this visa. It allows you to work in the UK for up to 2 years. 
• Graduate Immigration Route – If you’ve been studying in the UK, this visa will allow you to continue to stay for another 2 to 3 years and work in the UK. 
• Temporary Work – Religious Worker Visa  – If you’re exploring “how to apply to move to a Scottish Islam” or contribute to any other religious faith in a non-pastoral role or within a religious order in Scotland, this visa is your go-to option. 

If you’re unsure, again, you can go through this quick check to see the suitable visa for you 🙂

• Healthcare

Healthcare in Scotland is free for all residents, and you even get free prescriptions.

Once settled in Scotland, you must register with a local General Practitioner (GP)  at a medical center. 

The National Health Service (NHS) manages the healthcare system.

If you need dental care, you can get it through the NHS or private practices. But private practices will usually cost you a whole lot more. 

Some people might be required to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of visa application.

• Best Places To Live 

This is a tough one since Scotland has very different types of places to live in, and what you deem best will depend heavily on your preference. 

But let’s look at the top 3 happiest places in Scotland as a guide:

1. Stirling

Stirling ranks high on the happiness index in the UK, placing 6th. Stirling offers you a strong sense of community where safety is a priority.

Housing in Stirling is pretty affordable, with an average house price of £201,372 (USD $258,538) and a monthly rent of around £985 (USD $1,264).

2. Perth

No, not in Australia. There’s a Perth in Scotland too! 

Perth is known as a safe, picturesque city with regular police patrols that keeps you feeling safe. This city with beautiful architecture ranks 11th happiest place in the UK.

With an average house price of £180,532 (USD $231,783) and monthly rent of £627 (USD $805), Perth is a very affordable city. 

3. Inverness

Coming in at 51st in the happiest places in the UK, Inverness has a booming economy, yet is still an affordable city. 

Housing is relatively affordable, with an average house price of £209,967 (USD $269,570) and monthly rent for an apartment being £748 (USD $960).

Beyond these cities, there are many other wonderful areas to explore:

• Dornoch/ Embo Area – This area is perfect if you enjoy coastal beauty and want to live near the coast.
• Aviemore/ Kingussie Area – If you love the outdoors with forests, lochs, mountains, and exciting attractions like the Highland Wildlife Park and national parks, you will enjoy this area.
• Edinburgh – For city lovers, Edinburgh is an excellent choice, with its rich history intertwined with modern life, offering an endless list of things to see and do.
• The Scottish Islands –  Great for anyone seeking tranquility in a quiet, idyllic setting. Also, it’s very affordable. And there’s more than one option if you’re looking for the cheapest Scottish island to live on.

• Transportation

Scotland has a well-connected transportation network, making it easy for you to move about.

There are international airports in many cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, among others. 

These airports will easily connect you to other global destinations so you can easily jet-set somewhere global at any time. 

The cross-country rail network and nationwide bus service are also comprehensive. 

It’s so well covered that approximately 95% of Scotland’s population live within a 5-minute walk of a bus stop or train station.

• Driving

One crucial thing you must remember when driving in Scotland is that Scotland drives on the left-hand side of the road! 

This might feel a bit disorienting if you’re used to driving on the right-hand side, but don’t worry, with practice, you’ll get the hang of it in no time. 

If you’re coming from another country, you’ll need to get a UK driver’s license. 

You can use your valid license for up to 12 months, but after that, you will need to exchange it for a British one.

The UK will allow you to exchange your license if it was issued on or after the 1 April 1991. 

When you’re driving, bear in mind that speed limits are a big deal in Scotland and are strictly enforced. 

They also change frequently depending on the terrain, so keep your eyes peeled for them!

FAQs On Get Paid To Move To Scotland

Is Scotland Offering Money To Move There?

Wondering, “Is Scotland offering money to move there”? So The Scottish government has abandoned a plan to offer young people and families a £50,000 (USD $64,000) incentive to stay on, or move to, the islands. The Island Bond was initially proposed to reverse the depopulation of island communities. 

What Scottish Island Will Pay You To Live There?

So,  what Scottish island will pay you to live there? The Isle of Rona, a remote island between the West Coast of Scotland and the Isle of Skye, wants to hire an estate worker and partner to join the island – their current population is 2 people and 180 deer. 

Why Are People Moving To Scotland?

Wondering, “Why are people moving to Scotland”? Its extensive history, stunning scenery, top-notch healthcare, and world-class education are some of the benefits. Scotland’s public transportation system is first-class, and residents are very happy there. 

So, yes, you can get paid to move to Scotland!

There we have it – all the deets on how you can get paid to move to Scotland. Are you all excited yet? 

I hope you’ve found all the help you need here with making your decision to move to Scotland. Who knows, you’re going to be the next to live the magic of Scotland. 

 Is there anything more you’d like to know? Feel free to hit me up in the comments. 

And if you have any friends or family that also want to make an iconic move, send them this article! 

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