Ever fancied upping sticks to a Greek island adorned with whitewashed buildings, a charming harbour, and shimmering turquoise waters? While it may seem like a pipe dream, it could become a reality thanks to an initiative from the island of Antikythera.

Nestled in the Aegean Sea between Crete and the Peloponnese, this picturesque island is offering incentives to families and skilled workers to move there, including complimentary food, accommodation, and a monthly allowance. In a bid to reverse the island’s dwindling population, Greece is offering new Antikythera residents €500 per month for three years after they settle in. This amounts to a total of €18,000, or roughly £15,000. The island offers a tranquil, rural lifestyle complete with stunning beaches and the balmy Greek climate.

“Antikythera has only 45 permanent residents as of now, so it’s a tranquil and close-knit community,” says Wayne Mills, Head of Operations at Seven Seas Worldwide, an international shipping company.

“They’re especially keen to attract young families to revitalize the island and bring back youthful energy, so you’ll no doubt be extremely popular as soon as you arrive!”

In response to falling populations, numerous countries are rolling out the welcome mat to lure new residents to specific regions. Most of Antikythera’s inhabitants are over 50, and there are very few children.

According to Elxis, a provider of real estate and legal services in Greece, the initiative was organised by the Greek Orthodox Church of Kythera, which also extends to Antikythera, to attract bakers, fishermen, and families with children.

Designed for a total of five families, they will be interviewed before being given the financial incentive to live in Antikythera. 

Andrea Harhalakis, the president of Antikythira, said in an interview with Iefimerida.gr that “we need young families, large enough to make Antikythira alive and full of children’s voices.”

However, there’s a catch. While families who wish to move to the island will have their pick of a new house on the island, the homes have not het been built yet due to delays in paperwork, 

Therefore, Antikythira has not yet welcomed any families with this program. To get updates on their construction, people are encouraged to direct any questions to Kythira’s Tourism Department.

Covering a mere 7.89 square miles, the island of Antikythera can be reached by ferry from its neighbouring isle of Kythira or from the port of Kissamos in Crete.

With its sparse population and secluded setting, Antikythera provides a window into the traditional lifestyle of Greek islanders.

During the winter months, there’s only one small shop offering basic foodstuffs and vegetables. However, despite its remoteness, the island does have electricity and internet access.

Antikythera is also renowned for the unearthing of the Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient Greek analogue computer believed to date back to around 150-100 BCE.

This remarkable device was utilised to forecast astronomical positions, eclipses, and potentially other celestial events.

Uncovered in 1901 within a shipwreck off the island’s coast, it’s regarded as one of the most important technological relics from antiquity.

The Antikythera shipwreck (circa 70-60 BCE) ranks among the richest ancient wrecks ever discovered, yielding a treasure trove of artifacts such as statues, coins, and luxury items.

In addition to its historical significance, the island is admired for its rugged natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Serving as a crucial stopover for migratory birds journeying between Europe and Africa, Antikythera has become a magnet for birdwatchers.