Guide hub
Buying Property Abroad: The Complete Guide
Buying property abroad follows a broadly similar arc everywhere — find and reserve a property, run legal and title due diligence, sign a preliminary then final contract before a notary, pay the price plus transaction costs (typically several percent on top), and register the title. The specifics (taxes, who represents you, financing, and residency implications) vary by country, so the safe path is to understand the shared framework first and then read the guide for your target country.
This hub explains the mechanics of buying property in another country: how the transaction is structured, what it typically costs beyond the purchase price, how foreign buyers are treated, and where the process most often goes wrong.
Each country handles conveyancing, taxes, and financing differently. Use the pillar guides below for the shared framework, then the country clusters for jurisdiction-specific detail. None of this is legal or tax advice — always confirm current rules with a qualified local professional before committing.
Core guides
- Can Foreigners Buy Property? Ownership Rules by TypeIn many countries foreigners can buy property with the same rights as locals, but a significant number impose restrictions — on land near borders or coastl
- Common Mistakes When Buying Property AbroadThe most frequent and costly mistakes are skipping independent legal due diligence, underestimating total transaction and ownership costs, relying on a law
- The True Cost of Buying Property AbroadThe headline price is only part of what you pay. Buying abroad typically adds transaction costs on top — transfer or purchase taxes, notary and registratio
- How to Buy Property Abroad: Step by StepBuying property abroad generally follows the same arc everywhere: define your budget including transaction costs, shortlist and view properties, make an of
- Legal Due Diligence When Buying AbroadLegal due diligence confirms that the seller can legally sell, that the title is clean, and that the property has the correct permits and no undisclosed de
- Property Taxes for Foreign BuyersForeign owners typically face taxes at three stages: on purchase (transfer or stamp taxes), during ownership (annual property or wealth taxes and, if you l
By country
- Buying property in CyprusForeigners can buy property in Cyprus, with non-EU buyers typically needing Council of Ministers approval, which is generally granted for a primary residen
- Buying property in GreeceForeigners can buy property in Greece, with additional permit requirements in certain border and military zones. Buyers need a Greek tax number (AFM) and t
- Buying property in ItalyForeigners can generally buy property in Italy, subject to a reciprocity principle satisfied for most nationalities. Buyers need an Italian tax code (codic
- Buying property in MaltaForeigners can buy property in Malta, though non-residents may need an Acquisition of Immovable Property (AIP) permit outside designated Special Designated
- Buying property in PortugalForeigners can buy property in Portugal with no nationality restrictions, including non-residents. The process runs through a notary, requires a Portuguese
- Buying property in SpainForeigners can buy property in Spain freely, including non-residents, though buyers need an NIE (foreigner identification number). Purchases complete befor
- Buying property in TurkeyForeigners can buy property in Turkey subject to nationality-based restrictions and limits in certain military and security zones. Purchases register at th
- Buying property in United Arab EmiratesForeigners can buy property in designated freehold areas of the UAE, most prominently in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Purchases register with the relevant land dep