What Are the Best Countries to Buy Property in 2026?
Quick Answer
Portugal leads the Casza Index for 2026, followed by Spain and Greece. All three combine EU access, strong tourism, and reasonable entry prices with Golden Visa pathways.
There's no single "best" country - it depends entirely on what you're optimizing for. But I can tell you which markets consistently deliver across the factors that matter most.
Portugal takes the top spot in our Casza Index, and here's why. Entry prices start around €150K in the interior (Alentejo, Centro) and climb to €400K+ along the coast and in Lisbon. Rental yields run 4-6% gross, which isn't the highest globally, but it's solid for a mature EU market. The real value is the ecosystem: established expat community, excellent healthcare, 300+ days of sunshine annually, and a path to EU citizenship in just 5 years. The Golden Visa program has restrictions now (no residential property in Lisbon/Porto), but rehabilitation projects and low-density areas still qualify at €500K.
Spain comes second. More property inventory than Portugal, larger tourism infrastructure, and slightly lower entry prices (rural Spain starts around €100K). The legal system is transparent and foreigner-friendly. Golden Visa threshold is €500K with no geographic restrictions. The trade-off? Citizenship takes 10 years versus Portugal's 5. Yields are similar at 4-5%.
Greece offers the best pure value in the EU. Entry prices start at €50K for mainland villages, €250K gets you Golden Visa eligibility (the cheapest in Europe), and yields run 5-6%. The market has been recovering steadily since the 2010s crisis. Downsides: citizenship takes 7 years and requires Greek language proficiency. Infrastructure outside major cities is less developed than Spain or Portugal.
Outside Europe, Thailand and Mexico deliver the highest yields (5-8%) and lowest costs of living. Thailand has exceptional medical infrastructure and tourism demand. Mexico benefits from US proximity and the digital nomad boom. Neither offers EU residency, which matters if that's part of your calculus.
The right choice depends on your priorities: if EU citizenship matters, Portugal. If budget is tight and you want EU, Greece. If you're optimizing purely for rental return and don't need a European passport, Southeast Asia wins on the numbers.