Insights & guides
Practical guides on buying, investing and relocating — market by market.
Showing 253 of 253
Apartments for sale in Cyprus: prices by district, costs and the traps to avoid
Average apartment prices in Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca, Nicosia and Famagusta, the real purchase costs, VAT and transfer fees, why title deeds delay and how a contract lodged at the Land Registry protects you.
- How to buy
- Market and prices
Residence in Montenegro through property: a step-by-step guide for 2026
How property-based residence works in practice: who must meet the €150,000 test, what to buy, the costs, the annual renewal and the tax-residency trap, with a note for buyers from Poland.
- Residency and golden visas
Residence in Lithuania and buying property: how it really works
Property in Lithuania gives no residence permit. The real routes for EU and non-EU citizens, who may buy what, and the costs and taxes of ownership.
- Residency and golden visas
- How to buy
Residence in Slovakia and buying property: what the law really says
Buying a flat in Slovakia does not give you a residence permit. Here is what does: EU registration, business residence and the costs and taxes of owning.
- Residency and golden visas
- How to buy
Rental yield of Oman property: realistic returns in Muscat, Al Mouj and Salalah
Gross yields of about 5 to 7.5 percent, why the net figure is lower, a worked example with assumed numbers and the questions that decide whether an Oman flat earns what the brochure says.
- Rental income and yield
Buying an apartment in Oman as a foreigner: ITC zones, residency, costs and risks
Where a foreigner may own in Oman, what the owner residency and the Golden Visa really require, the purchase steps, the closing costs and what to check before you pay.
- Residency and golden visas
- How to buy
- Risks
Apartments for sale in Saudi Arabia: prices, districts, yields and risks
What apartments in Riyadh and Jeddah cost in 2026, what yields are quoted and why the figures disagree, how to choose a building and which risks are specific to foreign buyers.
- Rental income and yield
- Best areas
- Risks
Buying property in Saudi Arabia as a foreigner: zones, costs and risks in 2026
Since 2026 a foreigner can own property in Saudi Arabia, but only in designated zones. What the law allows, what it costs, how Premium Residency fits in and what to check.
- How to buy
- Risks
Buying a hotel unit in a branded Zanzibar resort: what to check first
Operator contract, payment plan, completion risk, exit, residency claims, currency and access — a buyer's checklist.
- How to buy
- Checking a property
Can a foreigner own property in Zanzibar? Leases, ZIPA and what you actually get
Land is state-owned, so foreigners hold leases and unit titles. How it works, what ZIPA does, what it costs and what to check.
- How to buy
Panama's Qualified Investor residency and branded hotel property: what to check before you buy
The September 2026 decree split the property threshold into $300,000 and $500,000. What the programme really requires, how off-plan and hotel units fit, and the questions to ask first.
- Residency and golden visas
- Checking a property
Buying property in Panama as a foreigner: process, costs, taxes and title checks
Who may buy, why titled property matters, the six steps of a purchase, the real closing costs and the transfer-tax change that took effect in September 2026.
- Taxes and fees
- How to buy
- Checking a property
Branded residences and hotel-managed units in the Dominican Republic: what to check before you buy
CONFOTUR, the trust behind off-plan payments, the operator contract, fees, exit and title: a checklist with the risks stated plainly.
- Residency and golden visas
- Checking a property
Buying property in the Dominican Republic as a foreigner: steps, costs and taxes
Who can buy, the steps from promise of sale to title, what closing costs, the 2026 tax changes and where the limits are.
- Taxes and fees
- How to buy
Dubai Golden Visa through property: the AED 2 million rule, mortgage conditions, fees and who can be included
Buying a Dubai property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify you for a 10-year renewable residence permit. What the Dubai Land Department itself says about eligibility, mortgages, family and fees — and what we could not confirm.
- Residency and golden visas
- Mortgages for non-residents
Germany golden visa: there isn't one, and the residence routes that actually exist
Germany has no residence-by-investment programme, and buying property gives no right to live there. The real routes are self-employment under section 21, the Opportunity Card and the EU Blue Card.
- Residency and golden visas
Bulgaria golden visa: the citizenship route is closed, what residence by investment still offers
Bulgaria abolished citizenship by investment in 2022, but residence by investment remains. Advisers cite BGN 600,000 in property, about €306,775, for a renewable long-term permit. What the route does and does not give a buyer.
- Residency and golden visas
France golden visa: there isn't one, and what the Talent Passport investor routes ask for
France has no residence-for-property programme. What exists is the Talent Passport: an innovative project, a business creation or a direct economic investment of at least EUR 300,000 tied to jobs, none of which is buying a home.
- Residency and golden visas
Italy golden visa: the four investor routes, and why buying a home is not one of them
Italy's investor visa asks for money in government bonds, an Italian company, an innovative start-up or a philanthropic project, not in a house. How the committee process works and what the official page leaves unsaid.
- Residency and golden visas
- How to buy
Spain golden visa: it ended in April 2025, what the law says and what is left
Buying Spanish property no longer gives a right to residence. The investor section of the law was emptied in 2025, with transitional rules for people already in the system and routes that now rest on income or business instead.
- Residency and golden visas
Getting a mortgage in Georgia as a foreigner: banks, deposit, currency rules and the developer-instalment alternative
Georgian banks do lend to foreigners, usually with a large deposit and a short term, and a 2026 currency rule matters if you earn in lari. What to expect, and why many buyers use developer instalments instead.
- Mortgages for non-residents
- How to buy
Getting a mortgage in Dubai as a non-resident: LTV caps, rates, fees and off-plan limits
UAE banks lend to non-residents, but the headline Central Bank limits are not what a non-resident usually gets. What the bank really offers, what you pay upfront, and why off-plan is the hardest to finance.
- Mortgages for non-residents
- How to buy
- New builds and off-plan
Getting a mortgage in Germany as a non-resident: deposit, rates, fixing periods and costs
German banks do lend to foreigners without a German income, but expect a much larger deposit than residents need. What the bank will ask for, how fixed-rate periods work, and what the purchase really costs.
- Mortgages for non-residents
- How to buy
Mortgage in Turkey for foreigners: lira loans, high rates and what banks ask for
Some Turkish banks lend to foreigners, up to about 70% of the value and in lira. The catch is the interest rate and the lira itself. How the loan works, what it costs, and the alternatives.
- Mortgages for non-residents
- How to buy
Mortgage in Montenegro for foreigners: what banks offer and when cash is easier
A few Montenegrin banks lend to foreigners, but on tight terms: around 50% LTV on apartments, higher rates and strict income proof. Many buyers pay cash or borrow at home instead.
- Mortgages for non-residents
- How to buy
Getting a mortgage in Bulgaria as a foreigner: LTV, euro rates, costs and pitfalls
Bulgarian banks do lend to foreigners, but usually 50–70% of the value and at higher rates than locals get. What to expect, what it costs, and where deals go wrong.
- Mortgages for non-residents
- How to buy
- Risks
Getting a mortgage in Italy as a non-resident: LTV, rates, costs and the codice fiscale
Italian banks do lend to non-residents, but usually only 40–60% of the value, and without a codice fiscale there is no mutuo at all. What the bank asks for, what it costs, and where deals stall.
- Mortgages for non-residents
- How to buy
Getting a mortgage in Cyprus as a non-resident: LTV, rates, costs and the title deed risk
Cypriot banks lend to non-residents, typically 60–70% of the value, and it is the anti-money-laundering review, not the credit check, that most often slows a foreign application. Plus the title deed problem every buyer should know.
- Mortgages for non-residents
- How to buy
- Risks
Getting a mortgage in Greece as a non-resident: LTV, rates, costs and golden visa rules
Greek banks do lend to non-residents, but expect a 35–40% deposit and a heavy paper trail. And if you want a golden visa, the qualifying amount cannot be mortgaged at all.
- Mortgages for non-residents
- How to buy
Georgia vs Turkey: two non-EU markets compared for buyers
Prices, yields, residency and citizenship routes, taxes and risks for two non-EU markets, as of autumn 2026.
- Country comparisons
- Market and prices
Portugal vs Greece: where to buy for residency, retirement and rental
Two southern EU favourites compared on prices, residency routes, taxes and rental rules as of autumn 2026 — to match your goal.
- Residency and golden visas
- Rental income and yield
- Life and retirement abroad
Italy vs Spain: which to buy in for living, rental and resale
Two big southern-European markets compared on prices, buying costs, financing, tax at sale, residency and short-let rules.
- Rental income and yield
- Country comparisons
Bulgaria vs Montenegro: EU membership, prices and rental compared
Bulgaria is already in the EU, Schengen and the euro; Montenegro uses the euro but is still negotiating. Compared on prices, rental, costs, residency and legal risk.
- Rental income and yield
- Country comparisons
- Market and prices
Turkey vs Dubai: which to buy in, yield, currency and residency compared
Two non-EU markets popular with buyers who want a visa or a passport, compared on ownership rules, prices, yield, currency risk, taxes and residency.
- Residency and golden visas
- Rental income and yield
- Country comparisons
Cyprus vs Greece: which to buy in, and what really differs
Two Eastern Mediterranean EU markets compared on who can buy, purchase and holding costs, residency, rental rules and the tax on exit.
- Country comparisons
Selling property in Georgia: the two-year rule, the 5% rate and the 2026 clarification
Selling a Georgian apartment you have owned for over two years is generally tax-free. Sell sooner and 5% applies. The Ministry of Finance clarified the rules in May 2026.
- Taxes and fees
Selling property in Dubai: no capital gains tax, but real costs and a few tax traps
Individuals do not pay capital gains or income tax on a Dubai property sale. What you do pay, and where tax can still reach you, is what this guide covers.
- Taxes and fees
Selling property in Germany: the 10-year rule, the self-use exemption and tax for non-residents
Germany has no separate capital gains tax on homes: a sale inside ten years is taxed as income, and after that it is usually tax-free. Here is how the clock, the exemption and the €1,000 threshold work.
- Taxes and fees
Selling property in Turkey: the 5-year rule, inflation indexation and income tax on the gain
In Turkey, a property held for more than five years is sold free of this tax. Sell sooner and the gain is taxed, though the purchase price is adjusted for inflation first. How the calculation works.
- Taxes and fees
- Rental income and yield
- Market and prices
Selling property in Montenegro: capital gains tax, transfer tax and what to confirm first
Published sources disagree on how much an individual owner pays on the gain from a Montenegrin property sale. Here is what is consistently reported, where the gaps are, and how to close them.
- Taxes and fees
Capital gains tax when you sell property in Bulgaria: the 10% rate, exemptions and filing
Bulgaria taxes the gain on a property sale at a flat 10%, but whether you pay at all depends on how long you held it and where you are tax resident. What to work out before you list.
- Taxes and fees
Capital gains tax when selling property in Italy: the five-year rule and the 26% option
Italy taxes the gain only if you sell within five years of buying. Past that, the gain is not taxed at all. How the 26% notary option compares with ordinary income tax, and what a non-resident should check.
- Taxes and fees
Capital gains tax when selling property in Cyprus: 20% and the higher 2026 exemptions
Cyprus taxes property gains at 20% for everyone, including non-residents, but the lifetime exemptions were raised from 1 January 2026. Many websites still quote the old figures.
- Taxes and fees
Capital gains tax when selling property in Greece: the suspension and what comes after 2026
Greece has a 15% capital gains tax on property that individuals currently do not pay, because it is suspended until the end of 2026. What that means for a foreign owner planning an exit.
- Taxes and fees
Capital gains tax when a non-resident sells property in France: 19% plus social levies, allowances and the €150,000 exemption
France taxes a non-resident's property gain at 19% plus social levies of 17.2% or 7.5%, with holding-period allowances and a surcharge on large gains. What changes the bill and how the sale is handled.
- Taxes and fees
Capital gains tax when a non-resident sells property in Portugal: 50% of the gain, progressive rates
Since 2023 non-residents are taxed like residents on property gains: half the gain at progressive rates, counted against worldwide income. What that means in practice and what is still unclear.
- Taxes and fees
Capital gains tax when a non-resident sells property in Spain: 19%, the 3% retention and what to file
A non-resident seller in Spain pays 19% on the gain, and the buyer withholds 3% of the price at closing. How the gain is calculated, what you can deduct and what to file afterwards.
- Taxes and fees
New-build vs resale in Georgia: frame states, developer risk and real cost
In Georgia the choice is really about handover condition, who stands behind completion and what history you inherit. Black frame, white frame, turnkey and resale compared.
- New builds and off-plan
- Country comparisons
- Risks
Off-plan or ready in Dubai: payment plans, escrow, mortgages and resale compared
Off-plan dominates Dubai sales, but a payment plan is not the same as a protected purchase. How escrow, fees, mortgages and assignment rules differ between off-plan and ready homes.
- Mortgages for non-residents
- New builds and off-plan
- Country comparisons
New build or resale in Germany: costs, payment protection and energy rules compared
Buying from a developer and buying a finished home look alike on paper, but the transfer-tax base, the payment schedule and the energy-law exposure differ. A practical decision guide.
- New builds and off-plan
- Country comparisons
New-build or resale in France: notary fees, VEFA guarantees and the DPE rental ban
French notary fees are roughly 7 to 8% on an older home and 2 to 3% on a new one, but the energy rating can matter more than the fee. What to compare.
- Rental income and yield
- New builds and off-plan
- Country comparisons
New-build or resale in Italy: IVA vs registration tax, protections and real costs
Italy taxes a purchase from a developer very differently from a purchase from a private seller, and non-residents miss the main discount. How the numbers compare.
- Taxes and fees
- New builds and off-plan
- Country comparisons
New-build or resale in Turkey: VAT, title deed costs, safety and off-plan risks
In Turkey the choice between a new apartment and a resale one changes your VAT bill, your paperwork and your risk. What to compare before you sign.
- Taxes and fees
- New builds and off-plan
- Country comparisons
New-build vs resale property in Montenegro: VAT, transfer tax and legalisation risk
In Montenegro a new build from a VAT-paying developer and a resale flat are taxed differently, and the 2025 legalisation law has made the legal status of the building a deal-breaker.
- Taxes and fees
- New builds and off-plan
- Country comparisons
New-build vs resale property in Bulgaria: VAT, Act 16 and building quality
In Bulgaria the choice turns on VAT, on whether the building has its commissioning documents, and on who maintains a resort complex after the developer leaves.
- Taxes and fees
- New builds and off-plan
- Country comparisons
New-build vs resale property in Portugal: tax, warranty and what to check
In Portugal the tax bill is largely the same for a new home and a resale one. The real difference is legal protection, paperwork and condition.
- Taxes and fees
- Checking a property
- New builds and off-plan
New-build or resale in Cyprus: VAT, transfer fees and the title-deed problem
On Cyprus the tax difference is a choice between VAT, with a reduced 5% rate for a main home, and transfer fees on a resale. The bigger difference is how long it can take to get a title deed.
- Taxes and fees
- Checking a property
- New builds and off-plan
New-build or resale in Greece: the VAT suspension, off-plan risks and what a resale hides
Greece taxes a new build at 24% VAT unless the developer opts for the temporary suspension, which currently runs to the end of 2026. Off-plan deposits have no statutory escrow.
- Taxes and fees
- New builds and off-plan
- Country comparisons
New-build or resale in Spain: taxes, guarantees and off-plan protection compared
In Spain the two routes are taxed differently and protected differently. IVA plus stamp duty against regional ITP, a ten-year structural insurance, and the bank guarantee that backs off-plan deposits.
- Taxes and fees
- New builds and off-plan
- Country comparisons
Getting a mortgage in France as a foreigner: the 35% rule, LTV, costs and pitfalls
French banks apply a national 35% debt cap that counts your debts worldwide, and non-EU buyers often borrow only 50–70%. What to expect from the process, the fees and the paperwork.
- Mortgages for non-residents
- How to buy
- Risks
Getting a mortgage in Spain as a non-resident: LTV, rates, costs and pitfalls
Spanish banks do lend to non-residents, but usually 60–70% of the value, not the 80% residents get. What the lender will ask for, what it costs, and where deals go wrong.
- Mortgages for non-residents
- How to buy
- Risks
Portugal mortgage for foreigners in 2026: LTV, rates, and the new 7.5% IMT
Non-residents can borrow in Portugal, but 2026 changed both the lending rules and the cost of buying: tighter Banco de Portugal limits from August and a flat 7.5% transfer tax for non-resident housing buyers.
- Mortgages for non-residents
- How to buy
Portugal golden visa in 2026: the routes still open, and the 10-year citizenship clock
Property stopped qualifying in 2023, and the nationality law in force since May 2026 doubled the standard wait for a passport. What the Portuguese golden visa still offers, and a tax trap for property buyers.
- Residency and golden visas
Montenegro golden visa: there isn't one, and what residence by property offers instead
Montenegro's citizenship-by-investment programme closed in 2022. What remains is a temporary residence permit tied to a property worth at least €150,000, with no work rights and no passport at the end of it.
- Residency and golden visas
Turkey: citizenship by $400,000 property and the $200,000 residence permit explained
Turkey offers two property routes: a residence permit from $200,000 and citizenship from $400,000 with a three-year no-sale annotation. How each works, and the risks nobody puts in the brochure.
- Residency and golden visas
Cyprus permanent residency by property: the €300,000 fast-track, income test and deposit
Cyprus still grants permanent residency to buyers of new property, but the post-2023 rules add a €50,000 income test, a pledged deposit and annual monitoring. A realistic walk-through.
- Residency and golden visas
- Rental income and yield
Greece Golden Visa in 2026: thresholds by zone, 120 m² rule and the short-term rental ban
After the 2024–2026 overhaul the Greek Golden Visa costs €400,000 or €800,000 depending on the address, needs a single property of at least 120 m², and forbids Airbnb-style letting. What to check before you sign.
- Residency and golden visas
- Rental income and yield
Short-term rental rules in Georgia: light regulation, real tax questions
Georgia has no dedicated licensing regime for Airbnb-style lets, which is part of its appeal. What that does and does not mean for tax, registration and building rules.
- Taxes and fees
- Rental income and yield
Short-term rental rules in Dubai: holiday home permit, fees and the Tourism Dirham
Every short-let in Dubai needs a holiday home permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism, with the permit number on every listing. What owners pay and what to check first.
- Rental income and yield
Short-term rental rules in Turkey: permits, building consent and fines
Since 2024 Turkey requires a permit for any tourism rental of up to 100 days — and unanimous consent from every owner in the building. What to check before you buy for Airbnb income.
- Rental income and yield
Short-term rental rules in Montenegro: categorisation, guest registration and tourist tax
Montenegro is not in the EU, so the EU registration-number rules do not apply directly, but private accommodation is still regulated. What owners must do and what is changing in 2026.
- Taxes and fees
- Rental income and yield
Short-term rental rules in Bulgaria: municipal registration, categorisation and the new EU registration number
Bulgaria regulates holiday lets through the Tourism Act and municipal registers, and EU Regulation 2024/1028 now adds data-sharing on top. What to check before you buy a coastal or ski apartment for rental income.
- Rental income and yield
Short-term rental rules in Cyprus: Deputy Ministry of Tourism registration, fines and 2026 enforcement
Every holiday let in Cyprus needs a registration number from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, and enforcement is tightening. What to check before you buy a villa or apartment for rental income.
- Rental income and yield
Short-term rental rules in Germany: what buyers need to know city by city
Germany has no single national short-term-rental law — Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Cologne each set their own registration rules and limits, and Berlin's fines reach €500,000.
- Rental income and yield
Short-term rental rules in Italy: the CIN code and what it actually requires
Italy's national CIN code is now mandatory for every short-let listing, on top of city-specific rules in Florence, Milan, Venice and Rome. What a buyer needs to check before counting on Airbnb income.
- Rental income and yield
Short-term rental rules in Greece: AMA registration, costs and penalties
Greece requires an AMA registration number for every short-let listing, with real property and safety standards behind it. What to check before you buy for Airbnb income.
- Rental income and yield
Short-term rental rules in France: déclaration, changement d'usage and the 120-day cap
France regulates short-term rentals through a declaration number, a change-of-use authorization in major cities, and a 120-day cap for a primary residence — tightened further by 2024's loi Le Meur. What to check before buying for Airbnb income.
- Rental income and yield
Short-term rental rules in Portugal: the 2026 compliance picture
Portugal's short-term-rental rules were rewritten once in 2023, partly reversed in 2024, and now sit inside a new EU-wide framework. What a buyer needs to check today before counting on Alojamento Local income.
- Rental income and yield
Short-term rental rules in Spain: what changed in 2026
A new EU-wide rule and Spain's own national registration number mean an Airbnb income plan now depends on paperwork, not just a good listing. What buyers need to check before counting on short-let income.
- Rental income and yield
Georgia for remote workers in 2026: a visa-free year, but new work-permit rules matter
Most nationalities still get 365 days in Georgia with no visa or income test. But since March 2026 a new work-permit regime applies to foreigners working or self-employed there — and how it treats remote work is not fully clear.
- Digital nomads
The UAE's remote-work visa: who qualifies and how it works
The UAE's Virtual Working Programme lets remote employees and freelancers live in Dubai for a year without a local employer. Here's what it actually requires.
- Digital nomads
Germany has no digital nomad visa — here's the route remote workers actually use
Germany never built a dedicated remote-worker visa like Spain or Portugal. The freelance residence permit is the closest real route — and it works differently than you'd expect.
- Digital nomads
Turkey's digital nomad visa: the degree requirement and $3,000 income bar
Turkey's digital nomad visa is live and processing applications through the GoTürkiye portal — but a university degree requirement rules out a chunk of actual remote workers. What it takes to qualify.
- Digital nomads
- Rental income and yield
Montenegro's digital nomad visa: what it offers before it's due to end
Montenegro has run a genuine remote-worker visa since 2022 — but it's currently scheduled to end 31 December 2026, with no confirmed extension. What it offers, and the deadline you need to know about.
- Digital nomads
Bulgaria's digital nomad visa: who qualifies and what it actually costs
Bulgaria launched a genuine remote-worker residence permit in December 2025 — a €31,000 income floor, strict rules, and the EU's lowest flat income tax. What it actually takes to qualify.
- Digital nomads
Italy digital nomad visa: income requirement and the real bureaucracy
Italy's digital nomad visa exists, but it's genuinely one of the stricter, more paperwork-heavy schemes in Europe — a registered lease, six months of proven remote work, a degree or years of experience. Here's what that means, and how it differs from the separate flat-tax regimes.
- Digital nomads
- Rental income and yield
Cyprus digital nomad visa: income requirement, quota and taxes
Cyprus's scheme runs on a capped annual quota, not open-ended approval — here's what the €3,500 income threshold, the quota and the tax-residency rules mean in practice.
- Digital nomads
- Taxes and fees
- Rental income and yield
Greece digital nomad visa: income requirement, taxes and how to apply
A separate route from the Golden Visa, built for remote workers rather than property investors — here's what the income threshold, tax break and 2026 application changes actually mean.
- Digital nomads
- Taxes and fees
- Rental income and yield
France has no digital nomad visa — what remote workers actually use instead
Unlike Spain or Portugal, France has no dedicated remote-worker visa, and the visitor visa many nomads used is now widely reported to be off-limits for remote work. Here's what is left, and the real limits of each option.
- Digital nomads
Portugal's D8 digital nomad visa: requirements and how it works
Portugal's D8 visa gives remote workers a legal route to live there long-term. Here's the real income bar, what to prepare, and what it doesn't cover.
- Digital nomads
Spain's digital nomad visa: requirements, tax and how to apply
Spain's digital nomad visa lets remote workers live there long-term — with a real path to residency and a notable tax break. Here's what it actually requires.
- Digital nomads
- Taxes and fees
Why expats love living in Georgia: visa freedom, safety and real hospitality
Georgia isn't in the big international expat surveys, but on the measures that are independently documented — visa rules, safety, taxation — the country makes a genuinely strong case.
- Life and retirement abroad
Why expats love living in Dubai: what the data actually shows
The UAE ranked 4th of 31 countries in the 2026 Expat Insider survey — ahead of Spain, Portugal and Singapore. Here's what's actually behind that number.
- Life and retirement abroad
What expats really value about living in Germany (and what frustrates them)
Germany scored poorly in the 2026 Expat Insider survey overall, but specific things — working hours, job security, infrastructure — score far better. An honest look at both sides.
- Life and retirement abroad
Why expats love living in Turkey — and where the real challenges are
Turkey's appeal is real but specific: affordability, climate and culture score well, while a major 2026 survey ranked it near the bottom overall. Here's the honest picture.
- Life and retirement abroad
Why expats love living in Montenegro
Mountains and sea in the same afternoon, genuine affordability and a strong safety record — what the data says about why people settle in Montenegro, and what's honestly still rough around the edges.
- Life and retirement abroad
Why expats love living in Bulgaria
Bulgaria is officially the EU's cheapest country to live in — but the appeal runs deeper than price. What published data and expat communities actually say.
- Life and retirement abroad
Why expats love living in Italy — and the one thing that frustrates nearly all of them
Italy ranks low on InterNations' overall expat satisfaction survey, and the reason is almost always the same one. Here's what the data says people genuinely love, and the real friction behind the low score.
- Life and retirement abroad
Why expats love living in Cyprus: the real draw beyond the sun
Cyprus is home to the largest British community in the Eastern Mediterranean, with English spoken almost everywhere official. Here's what the data says expats actually value, and where it gets harder.
- Life and retirement abroad
Why expats love living in Greece: what the surveys actually show
Greece was named the world's top retirement destination for 2026, and expat surveys back it up — real data on what people who've actually moved there report loving, and what still frustrates them.
- Life and retirement abroad
Why expats stay in France for the healthcare and culture — and what the surveys say is still hard
France's position in expat surveys varies by index and year, but one pattern holds: strong healthcare and quality of life, real friction on bureaucracy and language. Here's what the data actually shows.
- Life and retirement abroad
Why expats rate Portugal among the world's top 10 — and where it genuinely falls short
InterNations' 2026 Expat Insider survey ranked Portugal 8th out of 31 countries, with 78% of expats saying they're happy with life there. The same data shows exactly where the country struggles.
- Life and retirement abroad
Why expats rate Spain the best country for quality of life — five years running
InterNations' 2026 Expat Insider survey ranked Spain #1 in the world for quality of life for the fifth year running. Here's what the data actually says expats value — and where it still falls short.
- Life and retirement abroad
Restoring a historic house in the UAE: the honest picture
Al Fahidi's wind-tower houses look like a restoration opportunity — they're not for sale. The honest picture of heritage property in the UAE, and where a genuine renovation project actually exists.
- Old houses and restoration
Abandoned houses in Germany: cheap Fachwerk homes in the depopulated east
No €1-euro scheme here, but genuinely cheap derelict Fachwerk houses exist in eastern Germany's depopulated villages — alongside Europe's most developed renovation subsidy system.
- Old houses and restoration
Cave houses and Ottoman mansions in Turkey: a different kind of restoration project
Cappadocia's rock-cut cave houses and Safranbolu's Ottoman timber mansions are a genuinely different restoration niche — what's really for sale, what it costs, and what the heritage board controls.
- Rental income and yield
- Old houses and restoration
Retiring in Montenegro: residency, pension tax and real costs
Not in the EU, cheap by Adriatic standards, and no dedicated retiree visa — just a property or income route. What that actually means for tax and daily life.
- Residency and golden visas
- Taxes and fees
- Life and retirement abroad
Retiring in Italy: visa, the 7% pension tax regime and real costs
A flat 7% tax on foreign pension income is real, but only in specific southern towns. What the elective residency visa, the tax break and daily life actually cost.
- Taxes and fees
- Life and retirement abroad
Retiring in Cyprus: residence permit, 5% pension tax and healthcare
No annual property tax, a 5% flat rate on foreign pensions above €5,000, and an EU climate without the Eurozone's priciest cities. What retiring in Cyprus actually involves.
- Residency and golden visas
- Taxes and fees
- Life and retirement abroad
Retiring in Greece: visa, the 7% pension tax and real costs
Greece was just ranked the world's best retirement destination for 2026. Here's the visa route, the pension tax break, and what it actually costs a couple to live there.
- Taxes and fees
- Life and retirement abroad
Retiring in Spain: the non-lucrative visa, tax and real cost of living
The non-lucrative visa income bar, how the 183-day rule taxes your pension, and what a retired couple actually spends on the coast.
- Taxes and fees
- Life and retirement abroad
Retiring in Portugal: visa, tax and real cost of living
The D7 visa route, what changed when NHR ended, and what a retired couple actually spends per month.
- Taxes and fees
- Life and retirement abroad
Best neighbourhoods to buy property in Tbilisi and Batumi
From Tbilisi's Vake to Batumi's New Boulevard — a neighbourhood-level guide to where to buy in Georgia's two main markets, and who each area suits.
- Best areas
Where to buy property in Dubai: best areas by budget and lifestyle
From Downtown Dubai's premium towers to JVC's affordable entry point — a community-by-community guide to where to buy in Dubai and who each area actually suits.
- Best areas
Where to buy property in Germany: best cities by budget and goal
From Munich's premium prices to Leipzig's strong yields — a city-by-city guide to where German property actually makes sense for different buyers.
- Best areas
Best cities to buy property in Turkey
Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum and Fethiye each pull a different kind of buyer and price very differently. A practical comparison of where to buy in Turkey.
- Best areas
Best areas to buy property in Montenegro
From UNESCO-listed Kotor Bay to budget-friendly Bar and Ulcinj, Montenegro's coast prices very differently by town. A practical guide to where to buy and why.
- Best areas
Best areas to buy property in Bulgaria
Bulgaria is the EU's most affordable property market, but prices vary sharply by district and coast. A practical breakdown of where to buy and who each area suits.
- Best areas
Where to buy property in Italy: Tuscany, Puglia, Sicily and more compared
From Tuscan hills to Naples's rising value — a region-by-region guide to Italian property prices and who each market actually suits.
- Best areas
- Country comparisons
Where to buy property in Cyprus: Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca and more compared
Limassol's liquidity, Paphos's calm, Larnaca's value — a city-by-city guide to Cyprus property prices and who each market suits.
- Best areas
- Country comparisons
Where to buy property in Greece: the best islands and regions compared
From Mykonos glamour to Peloponnese value — a region-by-region guide to prices, yields and who each area actually suits.
- Best areas
- Country comparisons
Best areas to buy property in France: Paris, the Riviera and real value regions
Paris commands €9,678/m² on average — but France has genuine value regions with healthcare, climate and culture, at a fraction of the price.
- Best areas
Best areas to buy property in Portugal: Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and beyond
Eight in ten foreign purchases land in the Algarve, Lisbon or the Central region — here's what each actually costs and who it suits.
- Best areas
Best areas to buy property in Spain: a region-by-region guide
From Costa Blanca's established expat belt to Madrid's year-round demand — where to buy in Spain depends on what you actually want from the property.
- Best areas
UK annual house price growth halves to 0.8% in September
Nationwide reports the weakest annual growth since December 2025, with an average price of £274,251 and a clear gap between the north and south of the country.
- Market and prices
Abandoned houses in Georgia worth restoring: Old Tbilisi and the mountain villages
Old Tbilisi's collapsing townhouses and Svaneti's emptied mountain villages are two real but very different opportunities — here's what actually makes them work, and what catches buyers off guard.
- Old houses and restoration
Ruins and old stone houses in Montenegro: where to find them and what restoration really costs
From abandoned hillside villages above Kotor Bay to derelict stone houses inside a UNESCO old town, Montenegro has real restoration opportunities — and real legal traps. What to know before you buy a ruin.
- Old houses and restoration
Abandoned village houses in Bulgaria: what a restoration project really costs
Hundreds of Bulgarian villages have more empty houses than residents, and stone-built homes sell for a few thousand euros. What that price actually buys, and the title risks that come with a house nobody's lived in for years.
- Old houses and restoration
Restoring a traditional stone house in Cyprus: where to look and what it really costs
Cyprus's Troodos villages are full of empty stone houses left behind by decades of migration to the coast. What a genuine ruin costs, what restoration adds, and the grant that can cover half the bill.
- Old houses and restoration
Abandoned stone houses in Greece: where to find a real restoration project
From Mani's stone towers to Pelion's farmhouse ruins, Greece has a real market in half-abandoned stone houses — real prices, real restoration costs, and legal homework specific to old village property.
- Old houses and restoration
Buying a ruin in Portugal: abandoned houses, villages and what restoration really costs
Portugal has up to 750,000 empty rural homes and ruins from around €20,000. What a real restoration budget looks like, and the inheritance issues that sink more deals than the building itself.
- How to buy
- Old houses and restoration
Buying an abandoned village in Spain: what "pueblos abandonados" really cost
Spain has thousands of abandoned villages, some sold whole from €39,000. The real costs are in the title chain and the restoration, not the price tag.
- How to buy
- Old houses and restoration
Ruins and abandoned houses in rural France: what they really cost to restore
A stone ruin in Creuse can start under €20,000 — but the real cost is the restoration, and the real risk is a title stuck in decades of unresolved inheritance.
- Old houses and restoration
Italy's 1-euro homes and abandoned houses: what restoration really costs
Dozens of Italian towns sell derelict houses for €1-2 to stop them collapsing. The real commitment isn't the price — it's the renovation deposit, the deadline, and a budget many times the headline number.
- Old houses and restoration
Buying off-plan in Dubai: an 8-step due diligence checklist
A striking render and a persuasive sales agent aren't due diligence. Eight checks to run before you sign for an off-plan unit in Dubai.
- How to buy
- Checking a property
- New builds and off-plan
Dubai off-plan investment risks: what buyers need to know
Escrow accounts protect your money, not your delivery date. Five real risks in Dubai's off-plan market and how RERA's rules and your own checks can manage each one.
- New builds and off-plan
- Risks
Buying resale property in Germany: an 8-step due diligence checklist
A German purchase runs through a mandatory notary and a land-register priority notice. Eight checks to make before you sign and pay.
- How to buy
- Checking a property
Investing in German property: 5 key risks and how to manage them
Transfer tax varies by state, rent control caps new leases, and buying an apartment means buying into its building's finances. Five risks to weigh before you invest in German property.
- Risks
Buying property in France: the 8-step due diligence checklist
France's notarial system protects buyers well — but only if you use it properly. Eight checks to run through, from the compromis de vente to the final deed.
- How to buy
- Checking a property
Investing in French property: 5 risks worth knowing before you buy
France is one of Europe's deepest, most stable property markets — but energy rules, transaction costs and exit taxes can all eat into returns if you don't plan for them.
- Risks
Buying resale property in Italy: an 8-step due diligence checklist
From the codice fiscale to the rogito — the practical steps for a clean resale purchase in Italy, and where undisclosed problems usually hide.
- How to buy
- Checking a property
Investing in Italian property: 6 risks to check before you buy
Illegal extensions, mismatched cadastral records and a nationality test most buyers have never heard of — what actually trips up foreign buyers in Italy.
- Checking a property
- Risks
How to buy resale property in Turkey: an 8-step due diligence checklist
A clean title search and a signed contract aren't the whole story in Turkey. An 8-step due-diligence checklist for buying resale property, from tax number to tapu transfer.
- Checking a property
Investing in Turkish real estate: 5 real risks and how to reduce them
Citizenship thresholds, lira volatility, earthquake paperwork and ownership caps — five real risks of buying property in Turkey, and how to manage each one.
- Risks
Buying resale property in Montenegro: an 8-step due diligence checklist
A sea view and a signed reservation form aren't proof of a clean title. Eight checks to run on any resale property in Montenegro before you pay a deposit.
- How to buy
- Checking a property
Investing in Montenegro real estate: 6 key risks and how to reduce them
Montenegro offers EU-adjacent Adriatic property without an EU passport requirement — but the market has its own structural risks. Six things to weigh before you buy, and how to manage each.
- Risks
How to buy resale property in Bulgaria: a due-diligence checklist
From the property registry to the notarial deed — the steps that keep a Bulgarian purchase clean, and the costs to budget for.
- Checking a property
Investing in Bulgaria real estate: 5 key risks and how to reduce them
Land rules, coastal oversupply, thin resale liquidity and management-fee quality — five real risks to weigh before buying property in Bulgaria, and how to manage each.
- Risks
Buying property in Portugal: an 8-step due diligence checklist
A NIF, a Certidão Permanente and a signed CPCV aren't optional extras — they're what makes a Portuguese purchase safe. Eight checks to run before you pay.
- How to buy
- Checking a property
Investing in Portugal real estate: 5 key risks and how to manage them
Portugal's rules for foreign buyers have shifted repeatedly in the past two years — the Golden Visa, the tax regime and short-let licensing all changed. Five risks to weigh before you buy, and how to manage each one.
- Risks
How to buy resale property in Cyprus: a due-diligence checklist
A title search, an independent lawyer and a stamped contract protect you more than a nice view. The steps to run before you pay for resale property in Cyprus.
- Checking a property
Investing in Cyprus real estate: 5 key risks and how to reduce them
Cyprus offers EU membership and sunshine, but title-deed delays and a law under active reform for non-EU buyers create real risk. Five things to check before you buy, and how to manage each one.
- Risks
How to buy property in Greece: an 8-step due diligence checklist
From a Greek tax number to the notary's deed — eight checks that keep a Greek property purchase safe, remote-friendly and free of legalization surprises.
- Checking a property
Investing in Greek property: 5 key risks in 2026 and how to reduce them
Golden Visa zones, Airbnb bans in central Athens, unlegalizable construction and border-zone permits — five risks that changed in 2024–2026, and how to manage each.
- Risks
How to buy resale property in Spain: a due-diligence checklist
A nota simple and a friendly agent aren't proof a property is debt-free and legal. The checks to run before you sign anything in Spain.
- Checking a property
Investing in Spanish property: 5 risks to weigh in 2026
Spain's golden visa is gone and taxes vary sharply by region. Five real risks to weigh before buying, and how to manage each one.
- Risks
How to buy resale property in Georgia: an 8-step due diligence checklist
A nice renovation and a friendly seller aren't a reason to send a deposit. Eight checks to run on any resale property in Georgia before you pay.
- Checking a property
Investing in Batumi real estate: 5 key risks and how to reduce them
Batumi draws buyers from dozens of countries, but a fast-growing resort market has its own pitfalls. Five risks to weigh before you buy, and how to manage each one.
- Risks
Baku property prices up 8.5% in Q2 2026, new builds more than 11%
According to Caliber, housing prices in Baku rose 8.5% year on year in the second quarter of 2026, while mortgage lending fell in the first eight months.
- New builds and off-plan
- Market and prices
Qatar: property transaction values up 28.5% in Q1 2026
Official data show a sharp rebound in Qatar's residential market, with the central bank's price index rising 6.81% year on year in July.
- Market and prices
Prague apartments average CZK 153,100 per square metre in the first half of 2026
According to Expats.cz, citing the Deloitte Real Index, Prague apartment prices rose 2.4% in six months, to about CZK 9.2 million for a 60 sq m flat.
- Market and prices
Finland: prices of old dwellings down 3.3% year on year in August 2026
According to Statistics Finland, prices of old dwellings in housing companies fell 3.3% year on year in August, and sales through agents were 8.5% lower.
- Market and prices
Minsk apartment prices are up more than 40% since the end of 2024
According to Myfin, an expert review puts the average price in Minsk at $2,270 to $2,322 per square metre in August 2026, against $1,597 at the end of 2024.
- Market and prices
Estonia: dwelling prices up 5.8% year on year in the second quarter of 2026
According to Statistics Estonia, the dwelling price index rose by 3.5% in the second quarter and by 5.8% year on year, with houses gaining more than apartments.
- Market and prices
Austrian house and flat prices rose 3.9% in the first half of 2026
According to Statistik Austria, purchase prices for houses and flats were 3.9% higher in the first half of 2026, and the end of a longer phase of moderate price growth was declared.
- Market and prices
Panama tightens its Qualified Investor residence programme
A new decree sets separate real estate thresholds for first-sale and resale property and toughens proof of where the money comes from.
- Residency and golden visas
Netherlands: home price growth slows to 3.3% in August 2026, average price EUR 503,523
According to Statistics Netherlands and the Kadaster, prices of existing owner-occupied homes were 3.3% higher year on year in August, down from 3.9% in July.
- Market and prices
France: house prices fell 1.0% in the second quarter of 2026, INSEE says
According to INSEE, prices of all dwellings in France fell 1.0% in the second quarter and 0.8% year on year, driven by the second-hand market.
- Market and prices
Turkey: house sales to foreigners flat in August 2026 as the market falls 14.7%
TÜİK data show 1,938 homes sold to foreigners in August, up 0.1% on the year, while total sales fell 14.7% to 127,410.
- Market and prices
Irish home prices up 5.5% in the year to July 2026, the slowest rise since January 2024
According to the Central Statistics Office, national residential prices rose 5.5% in the 12 months to July 2026, with Dublin up 4.4% and the rest of the country up 6.4%.
- Market and prices
Lithuania: apartment prices up 13.7% in a year as of August 2026
According to Ober-Haus, its apartment price index rose 1.8% in August 2026, and annual growth in the five largest cities reached 13.7%.
- Market and prices
Bulgaria joins the eurozone: what it means for the property market
Bulgaria officially adopted the euro on 1 January. According to Bulgarian Properties, this strengthens foreign buyers' confidence in the local property market and removes currency risk.
- Market and prices
UAE updates residency visa rules for property investors
Dubai Land Department (DLD) has merged its visa services on a single DLD Cube platform and removed the minimum property value for sole owners applying for the 2-year investor visa.
- Residency and golden visas
New-build apartment sales in Tbilisi rose 30% in July 2026
According to HomesOverseas, new-build apartment sales in Tbilisi rose 30% in value and 17% in square metres in July 2026, while lari mortgage lending grew by almost 27%.
- New builds and off-plan
- Market and prices
US existing-home sales fall 2.0% in August 2026; inventory at a ten-year high
According to the National Association of Realtors, sales reached 3.98 million, while months' supply of 4.9 is the highest in over ten years.
- Market and prices
Sweden: house prices up 0.6% in August while apartment prices dipped
According to Svensk Mäklarstatistik, villa prices rose 0.6% in August and 3.9% on the year, while apartment prices fell 0.1% on the month but are up 4.8% over twelve months.
- Market and prices
Greece to raise the property transfer tax for non-EU buyers from 3% to 15% in July 2027
According to To Vima, the transfer tax for third-country nationals without long-term residency will rise fivefold from 1 July 2027, and golden visa applications fell 44% in the first half of 2026.
- Taxes and fees
The 183-day rule: buying property does not make you a tax resident
Ownership, residence permit and tax residency are three different statuses. Confusing them is an expensive mistake.
- Taxes and fees
- How to buy
Bank accounts and mortgages in Georgia for foreigners
Opening an account is still possible, but not for everyone and not as it was. Mortgages exist for non-residents — with conditions.
- Mortgages for non-residents
- How to buy
The costs no agent puts in the yield calculation
An agent shows 10%. Four cost lines are missing. Here is what each one takes, and what is left.
- Rental income and yield
Checking a Georgian developer in ten minutes: four sources
The public registry, the listing portals, the business register and the buyers' forums — what each one tells you, and in what order.
- Checking a property
Batumi or Tbilisi: where the money actually is
One city quotes the higher yield, the other delivers the steadier one. The trade-off is seasonality, liquidity and who your tenant is.
- Country comparisons
Buying property in Georgia remotely: how the deal actually works
A narrowly targeted power of attorney, a SWIFT payment and a QR-verified registry extract — the four steps and their limits.
- How to buy
Tbilisi property market in 2026: what the first-half numbers show
Volumes up 18.7%, market value up 33.2% — and roughly 90% of buyers are Georgian citizens. What that means for an investor.
- Market and prices
Residence permit in Georgia through property: what the rules actually say
The $150,000 threshold, why the appraisal beats the contract price, and why ownership is a right to apply — not a permit.
- Residency and golden visas
Currency and payment when buying property abroad
Exchange rates can change your real price. How to pay, manage FX risk and time transfers across borders.
- How to buy
The pre-purchase checklist for buying property abroad
One page of checks that prevent most overseas-buying mistakes — goal, legal, money, tax and exit.
- How to buy
- Checking a property
Choosing location: why the district beats the country
The country is the start, not the answer. Why micro-location drives rental demand, resale and your real return.
- Best areas
'Guaranteed rental' schemes: where's the catch?
A fixed return sounds safe — but who guarantees it, and at what hidden price? What to check before you believe the number.
- Rental income and yield
Residency vs citizenship by investment: the real difference
A right to live is not a passport. How the two differ in cost, rules and what property actually gives you.
- Residency and golden visas
- Country comparisons
EU vs non-EU property: which suits your goal
Transparency and mobility vs higher yield and lower entry — the trade-offs between EU and non-EU markets.
- Country comparisons
Greece vs Montenegro: EU access or a lower entry point
Two southern coastlines compared on price, EU status, rental season and residency — to match your goal.
- Country comparisons
Property management for remote owners: how it works
If you won't be there, a good manager protects your income and asset. What they do, what it costs and how to choose.
- Rental income and yield
Relocating abroad with family: schools, healthcare and setup
A home is only part of the move. What to plan for schools, healthcare, family visas and everyday setup.
- Life and retirement abroad
Tax residency when you relocate: where do you pay tax?
Moving abroad can change where you're taxed. The basics of tax residency, treaties and the pitfalls to avoid.
- Taxes and fees
- Life and retirement abroad
How to sell property abroad: exit, costs and liquidity
Plan the exit before you buy: how liquidity, taxes and selling remotely affect your real return.
- How to buy
Short-term vs long-term rental: which strategy fits
Higher gross but more work and regulation vs steady and simple — compared on income, effort and risk.
- Rental income and yield
- Country comparisons
Spain vs Portugal: which to buy in for living and rental
Two Iberian favourites compared on lifestyle, rental demand, costs and residency — to match your goal.
- Rental income and yield
- Country comparisons
Total cost of ownership: the real price of property abroad
The asking price is only the start. Purchase, holding, rental and exit costs — and how to model them before you buy.
- Market and prices
How to verify a developer and agency before buying abroad
A practical checklist to avoid scams: track record, licences, escrow, title — and the red flags to walk away from.
- How to buy
Student housing as an investment: why it works
Steady academic-year demand in university cities, compact lettable units — and how it ties to studying in Poland.
- Rental income and yield
Dubai vs Europe for property investment: how to choose
Yield and tax-free income vs maturity and EU liquidity — compared by goal, risk and horizon.
- Country comparisons
Golden visas in 2026: what changed and what's left
Several programmes closed or tightened. A clear map of residency-by-property routes and what to watch — no promises.
- Residency and golden visas
How to buy property abroad remotely — without flying out
Power of attorney, remote due diligence, secure payment and the risks to control when you can't be there.
- How to buy
Mortgages for non-residents: who lends and on what terms
Where foreigners can finance a purchase, typical deposits, documents and the currency risk to plan for.
- Mortgages for non-residents
Buying property in Poland: a complete guide
Our home market: notarial deed, PCC/VAT, mortgages, and strong rental incl. student demand.
- How to buy
Buying property in Georgia: a complete guide
Open to foreigners, fast and low-cost process, low entry point and Tbilisi/Batumi rental.
- How to buy
Buying property in Germany: a complete guide
A stable market: notarial process, transfer tax by state, mortgages and tenant-protected rental.
- How to buy
Buying property in Montenegro: a complete guide
Simple foreigner purchase, low transfer tax, residence by property and Adriatic rental.
- How to buy
Buying property in Portugal: a complete guide
Process, IMT transfer tax, residence options after the golden-visa change, and Lisbon/Porto rental.
- How to buy
Buying property in Greece: a complete guide
Entry points, the buying process, transfer tax, the golden visa and tourist rental.
- How to buy
Buying property in Cyprus: a complete guide
English-influenced law, costs and VAT, residence routes and coastal rental — for non-residents.
- How to buy
Buying property in the UAE (Dubai): a complete guide
Freehold zones, DLD/RERA permits, escrow, taxes, residency visas and yields in Dubai.
- How to buy
Buying property in Spain: a complete guide
Market, buying process, taxes, residency and rental — everything a foreign buyer needs for Spain.
- How to buy
Off-plan or ready property: the pros and risks
When it pays to enter a project off-plan and when to buy ready-to-move-in — compared on price, risk, timing and income.
- New builds and off-plan
- Country comparisons
- Risks
Cyprus or Greece: which to choose for living and investment
Two Mediterranean markets compared on climate, rental demand, taxes and residency routes — so you can match them to your goal.
- Country comparisons
Taxes and costs when buying property abroad
What to add on top of the asking price — purchase tax, notary, registration, lawyer and annual charges — and how the logic differs by country.
- Taxes and fees
- How to buy
Rental yield in Europe: how to calculate gross vs net and what to watch
How gross yield differs from net, which costs eat into profit, and why occupancy matters more than a headline figure.
- Rental income and yield
Dubai for investors: how to buy property and get the permits right
DLD, RERA and Trakheesi permits, escrow accounts and developer payment plans — what to check before buying in Dubai.
- How to buy
Residency through property: comparing European and UAE programmes
How residency by property purchase works in Greece, Spain, Portugal and the UAE: thresholds, what the status grants and what to keep in mind.
- Residency and golden visas
- Country comparisons
Where to invest in property in 2026: a guide to key markets
Comparing Dubai, Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Portugal by entry point, yield and investor goals — no promises, just facts.
- Market and prices
Latvia ends its property and bank-deposit residence routes for new applications from 15 September 2026
According to IMI Daily, the €250,000 real-estate route and the €280,000 deposit route close under the new Immigration Law, while applications filed up to 14 September are assessed under the old rules.
- Residency and golden visas
Denmark: supply of apartments in Copenhagen up 68.5% in a year, Boligsiden reports
According to Boligsiden, the supply of apartments for sale in Copenhagen municipality rose 68.5% year on year in early September 2026, while house supply nationwide fell 14.2%.
- Market and prices
Brazil: residential prices rose 0.53% in August 2026 and now outpace inflation
According to Portas, the FipeZap index shows residential prices up 3.44% from January to August 2026, ahead of the 3.02% IPCA inflation.
- Market and prices
Thailand tightens enforcement against nominee land ownership by foreigners
According to Tilleke & Gibbins, on 25 August 2026 the Ministry of Interior ordered provinces to screen companies suspected of holding land for foreigners and to pursue them in two tracks.
- Market and prices
Montenegro: 257 building permits issued in Q2 2026, for 784 dwellings
According to Monstat, permits issued in the second quarter of 2026 provide for the construction of 784 dwellings with 57,569 m² of floor area.
- Market and prices
Poland: new-flat transaction prices rose 0.6% over the year in Q2 2026
NBP data for the seven largest markets show transaction prices well below asking prices, with Warsaw at the top and Łódź at the bottom.
- New builds and off-plan
- Market and prices
German home prices still rise in nominal terms but fall in real terms
According to IamExpat, citing the GREIX index, apartment prices in Germany were up 0.4% year on year in the second quarter of 2026, but after inflation all segments were down.
- Market and prices
Foreigners buy a record 16% of Spanish homes in Q2 2026
According to the Colegio de Registradores, foreign buyers made more than 26,800 home purchases in the second quarter, a record 16% of all sales, while the overall market fell.
- Market and prices
Slovakia: residential prices up 9.5% a year to €3,041 per m² in Q2 2026
National Bank of Slovakia listing data show growth led by new developments and regional capitals, particularly Bratislava.
- Market and prices
Dominican Republic: real estate took 12.4% of foreign direct investment in the first half of 2026
According to elDinero, tourism and real estate together accounted for 32.5% of foreign investment in January–June 2026, with real estate at 12.4%.
- Market and prices
Romania: property register offline since 14 July after a cyberattack
The outage of the national cadastre agency halted transactions and mortgage approvals, and Parliament extended a VAT deadline for pre-contracts.
- Market and prices
Bali closes new foreign-investment permits in 18 business categories, including hotels and real estate
According to ANTARA, Governor Wayan Koster, with the investment minister's approval, has stopped new permit applications from foreign investors in 18 sectors from the third week of May 2026.
- Market and prices
Foreign investment in Albanian real estate hit a record €172 million in Q1 2026
According to HomesOverseas, foreign investment in Albanian property rose 65% year on year in the first quarter of 2026 and now makes up about 43% of all foreign direct investment.
- Market and prices
Israeli home prices fall 2% over the year to April–May 2026 as inflation slows to 1.6%
According to Ynetnews, apartment prices fell 1% in April–May compared with the previous two months and 2% year on year, while new-home prices were down 3.9% annually.
- Market and prices
Hungary's housing market slows in the first half of 2026 as first-time buyers gain share
According to Hungarian Conservative, citing a Duna House report, 56,554 homes changed hands in the first half of 2026, 10.8% fewer than a year earlier.
- Market and prices
Luxembourg: asking prices fell 5.0% in a year to EUR 8,111 per m² in Q2 2026
Immotop data reported by the Luxembourg Chronicle show the average asking price down 0.8% on the quarter and 5.0% on the year.
- Market and prices
Belgian home sales up 1.5% in Q2 2026; Brussels houses average €611,873
According to the Brussels Times, citing the notaries' federation Fednot, home sales rose 1.5% in the second quarter of 2026 and prices edged up in the first half.
- Market and prices
Saudi Arabia publishes implementing regulations for foreign ownership of real estate
The rules say who may own, where, and what fees and penalties apply, including a 2% disposal fee in the main cities.
- Market and prices
Malta: residential property prices up 6.7% year on year in Q1 2026
According to BusinessNow, citing the National Statistics Office, the residential property price index reached 104.19, up 1.8% on the previous quarter.
- Market and prices
Croatia: house prices up 14.3% year on year in the first quarter of 2026
According to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, house prices rose 3.3% in the first quarter and 14.3% year on year, with existing dwellings up 16.1%.
- Market and prices
Slovenia: home prices rose 9.3% year on year in Q1 2026
According to HomesOverseas, citing the Statistical Office of Slovenia, prices rose 3.0% on the quarter, with new builds up 6.9%.
- Market and prices
Foreign real estate transactions in Armenia rose 32% in the first quarter of 2026
According to International Investment, foreigners concluded 1,703 property transactions in Armenia in Q1 2026, 6.8% of the total, with Russians the largest group of buyers.
- Market and prices
Portugal: house prices up 17.8% in Q1 2026 while sales fell 8.7%
INE's housing price index kept rising, but transactions fell, and purchases by buyers with a tax domicile abroad dropped 15.6%.
- Market and prices
Oman eases residency rules for foreign property owners
A Royal Oman Police decision published on 21 June 2026 widens who can sponsor and who can apply for a visa tied to property in the sultanate.
- Residency and golden visas
Serbia's property market hits record highs: €2 billion in Q1 2026
N1 reports a record quarter and puts Belgrade's price levels and financing in perspective.
- Market and prices
Mortgage applications from foreign buyers of Italian luxury homes up 63% in January–May 2026
According to Il Sole 24 Ore, Luxforsale Finance recorded a 63% rise in mortgage applications from abroad, with an average property value above €1.65 million.
- Mortgages for non-residents
Zanzibar: a developer unveils three ZIPA-approved projects worth over $50 million
According to The Citizen, Floton Africa presented three property projects at the ZIPA Investment Summit 2026, among them a beachfront residence scheme.
- Market and prices
Bahrain: where foreigners can own property and the lower Golden Residence threshold
According to Trowers & Hamlins, non-GCC buyers can own freehold only in designated zones, and the Golden Residence property threshold was cut to BHD 130,000.
- Residency and golden visas
Switzerland proposes tighter limits on property purchases by foreigners
According to blue News, citing Keystone-SDA, the Federal Council has put forward changes to Lex Koller that would require permits for third-country nationals buying a home and ban pure rental investment in commercial property.
- How to buy
Phnom Penh condos: foreign buyers over 75% of transactions, Europeans favour central projects
According to Cambodgemag, citing a Cambodia condo investment guide for 2026, foreign buyers account for more than 75% of Phnom Penh condo purchases and Poles and French are gaining share.
- Market and prices
Monaco: average price reached EUR 57,569 per m² in 2025, Larvotto above EUR 70,000
According to Monaco Tribune, citing IMSEE, Larvotto passed EUR 70,000 per square metre for the first time, and 493 properties changed hands in 2025.
- Market and prices
Maldives launches USD 790 million Ayla township, its first Special Economic Zone project
According to The Standard, President Muizzu launched the Ayla township in Noonu Atoll in January 2026, combining premium hospitality and upscale residential development.
- Market and prices