Brits can apply to live on Greek island for free but there's very unusual catch

If you've ever fancied taking an extended break on a Greek island, now could be the ideal moment - as Brits have been offered the chance to live in the Mediterranean without paying a penny - though there's one quirky condition.

According to travel specialists Holiday Pirates, applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 opportunity. "You'll receive accommodation, breakfast and utilities," the firm revealed in a TikTok clip. But what's the snag? You must undertake voluntary work at a cat sanctuary. "You will be helping look after all the kitties (around five hours per day, five days per week)," Holiday Pirates added.

The feline rescue centre sits on Syros island, a compact Aegean destination that serves as the Cyclades' capital, with applications welcomed from anyone prepared to volunteer for a minimum of one month.

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The sanctuary's website, SyrosCats, elaborates: "We welcome volunteers - singles or couples, who are fit, mature, healthy and independent and would like to come for a minimum of a month to help with all aspects of cat care.

"If you have training or experience as a veterinary nurse, or feral cat experience, you'd be particularly welcome, but we're happy to take any cat lovers, so long as you are prepared to get your hands dirty, be reliable, self-sufficient and can turn up on time."

SyrosCats also notes: "We're looking for helpers who already have some work experience. If you're under 25, it's unlikely you'd be able to demonstrate the level of self-sufficiency and initiative that we need.

"We usually have about four volunteers at any one time, often from very different backgrounds and all parts of the world and you need to be tolerant and accepting of differences in customs, race, gender and belief, that you may encounter here and in Greece. Currently volunteers are house sharing. You would have your own bedroom, but be sharing a kitchen, bathroom and communal living space with two or three other volunteers."

Volunteers start their day at 8am, carrying out various tasks such as feeding outdoor, street and beach cats, as well as providing breakfast for special needs or cage restrained cats. Post-breakfast, more duties await, including caring for "sick cats that need cuddles, cats that need playing with or socialising" and making trips to the vets.

In the evening, an hour before sunset, volunteers are expected to return for tasks like cleaning litter trays of any caged cats, checking and topping up their water, assisting with medications, cleaning and grooming, and ensuring cats are collected into correct places for the night.

The TikTok video quickly racked up over a million views, with many users seemingly thrilled by the opportunity. "I'm packed. Who do I need to speak to?" one person quipped in response.

A second person penned: "Ohhhh... I would LOVE this... cats are my passion, I loved seeing the cats when visited Greece - we always left food where we could. I'm a retired breeder so know how care for neonates up to aged cats... pick me, pick me!"

Then a third praised the initiative: "What a fantastic opportunity especially when you are a cat person which l am."

While a fourth TikTok user confessed: "This has genuinely made me think. I may be changing my life at some point now."

Thinking of applying?All the information you need, including the form, can be found here.