No one "pays to play" it is a free game. Some players choose to give donations, which do not give them any special priviledges as stated in the ToS.
If you wish to have your nation sat, you can request for a maximum of 10 weeks. There is a pinned thread in the game abuse forum (subforum of the Moderation forum) that explains how it's done and in which you need to post.
And yes, giving your nation away is not allowed.