Knowledge centre
Guides to international property ownership
UK Rental Yields and Returns: A Realistic Guide for Overseas Investors
Gross rental yield figures look compelling on brochures, but the number that matters is what reaches your bank account after costs, voids, and tax. This guide builds a realistic picture of UK rental returns for overseas investors in 2026.
Read guide →Financing · United Arab EmiratesUAE Property Financing for Overseas Buyers: Mortgages and Payment Plans
Overseas investors can access UAE property through bank mortgages or developer payment plans, but the terms for non-residents differ materially from those available to UAE residents. This guide explains the key financing routes, costs, and currency considerations.
Read guide →Market Insights · ThailandThailand Rental Yields and Returns for Foreign Investors
Thailand property is widely marketed on the basis of strong rental yields, with resort condominiums in Phuket regularly promoted at figures of 7% or higher. The gap between gross headline yields and realistic net returns is significant. This guide explains what investors should actually expect.
Read guide →Financing · ThailandThailand Property Financing for Foreign Buyers
Standard Thai bank mortgages are not available to foreign nationals. However, several legitimate financing routes exist — including developer instalment plans, specialist offshore lenders, and properly structured foreign-currency transfers. Understanding each option before you commit capital is essential.
Read guide →Market Insights · SpainSpain Rental Yields and Returns for Foreign Investors
Headline rental yields in Spain of 5–7% or more appear frequently in property marketing. The realistic net return after costs, taxes, and the increasingly complex tourist licence landscape is considerably different. This guide sets out what foreign investors should actually expect in 2026.
Read guide →Financing · SpainSpain Mortgages for Non-Resident Buyers
Unlike Thailand, Spain's banking sector does extend mortgage finance to non-resident foreign buyers, though on more conservative terms than for residents. Loan-to-value limits are lower, documentation requirements are more demanding, and the total cost of a Spanish property transaction — mortgage or cash — is significant.
Read guide →Market Insights · GreeceGreece Property Rental Yields and Returns: What Investors Should Expect
Gross rental yields in Greece typically range from around 4% to 6% for long-term residential lettings, with short-term holiday lets capable of higher peak-season returns in the right locations. Understanding the difference between gross and net yield — and the regulatory environment for short-term rentals in 2026 — is essential before making investment decisions.
Read guide →Financing · GreeceGreece Mortgages for Overseas Buyers: What International Investors Need to Know
Greek banks do offer mortgage products to non-resident buyers, but availability is limited, loan-to-value ratios are conservative, and the documentation requirements are substantial. Most international purchases in Greece are completed in cash. This guide explains what is available, what to expect, and how to plan your financing before you commit to a property.
Read guide →Market Insights · EgyptEgypt Rental Yields and Returns: A Realistic Guide for Foreign Investors
Egypt's rental market offers gross yield figures that compare favourably with many European markets, but currency risk — including the history of Egyptian pound devaluation — means that hard-currency returns can look materially different from EGP headline figures. This guide sets out what foreign investors should realistically expect and what questions they should ask.
Read guide →Financing · EgyptEgypt Property Payment Plans and Financing for Foreign Buyers
Egypt's property market is defined by long developer payment plans rather than bank mortgages. Foreign buyers can access instalment plans of up to eight to ten years on some developments, but currency risk — including the history of Egyptian pound devaluation — must be understood clearly before committing.
Read guide →Market Insights · United Arab EmiratesDubai Rental Yields and Returns: What Overseas Investors Should Expect
Dubai's rental yields compare favourably with most established property markets, and the absence of personal income tax amplifies the net return advantage. This guide works through the realistic numbers for overseas investors in 2026.
Read guide →Market Insights · CyprusCyprus Property Rental Yields and Returns: What Investors Should Expect
Gross rental yields in Cyprus have generally ranged from around 4% to 6% for long-term residential lettings, with holiday-let properties in coastal areas capable of achieving higher in-season figures. Understanding the gap between gross and net yield — and the full cost picture including the General Healthcare System levy and income tax — is essential before making investment decisions.
Read guide →Financing · CyprusCyprus Mortgages for Overseas Buyers: Financing Your Property Investment
Cyprus offers a more accessible mortgage market for non-resident buyers than many Mediterranean destinations, with some banks actively lending to international investors at loan-to-value ratios of around 60–70%. This guide covers what non-resident buyers can expect from the Cyprus mortgage process, what documentation is required, and how to plan your total acquisition budget.
Read guide →Market Insights · United KingdomBest Areas to Invest in UK Property in 2026
Northern and Midlands cities continue to dominate UK rental yield tables in 2026, while London retains its appeal for long-term capital growth. This guide helps overseas investors weigh the trade-offs by city.
Read guide →Market Insights · ThailandBest Areas to Invest in Property in Thailand
Thailand offers a range of distinct property markets, from Bangkok's urban investment districts to Phuket's resort-driven short-term rental economy. Each location carries different yield profiles, price levels, buyer demand characteristics, and risks. This guide compares the main areas that international investors consider.
Read guide →Market Insights · SpainBest Areas to Invest in Property in Spain
Spain offers one of Europe's most geographically diverse property markets. From Marbella's luxury resort to Valencia's urban buy-to-let, the best location for any investor depends on their objectives, capital, risk appetite, and exit horizon. This guide sets out the key markets and their characteristics as of 2026.
Read guide →Market Insights · GreeceBest Areas to Invest in Greek Property: A Location Guide for International Buyers
Greece offers a wide range of investment locations — from Athens city neighbourhoods with strong long-term rental demand to island markets driven by premium short-term lettings. This guide compares the main areas for international buyers, covering yields, capital growth dynamics, Golden Visa eligibility tiers, and the regulatory environment as of 2026.
Read guide →Market Insights · EgyptBest Areas to Invest in Egypt Property: A Location Guide for International Buyers
Egypt's property investment landscape spans a modern capital under construction, established affluent suburbs, a rapidly developing Mediterranean coast, and established Red Sea resort destinations. Each area carries a different risk profile, buyer base, and return expectation. This guide explains the distinctions.
Read guide →Market Insights · United Arab EmiratesBest Areas to Invest in Dubai and Abu Dhabi Property in 2026
Dubai's investment districts each offer a distinct mix of rental yield, capital growth potential, and lifestyle profile. This guide compares the main areas for overseas investors in 2026, including selected opportunities in Abu Dhabi.
Read guide →Market Insights · CyprusBest Areas to Invest in Cyprus Property: A Location Guide for International Buyers
Cyprus offers distinct investment profiles across its main cities and coastal areas — from the high-value business hub of Limassol to the holiday-let market of Ayia Napa and the regeneration story of Larnaca. This guide compares the main areas for international buyers, covering pricing, yields, demand drivers, and permanent residency geography.
Read guide →Market Insights · Bali, IndonesiaBest Areas to Invest in Bali Property: A Guide by Location
Bali is not a single market. Canggu, Uluwatu, Seminyak, Ubud, Nusa Dua, and Sanur each attract a different type of buyer and offer a different risk and yield profile. Understanding the distinctions is essential before committing capital to any specific location.
Read guide →Market Insights · Bali, IndonesiaBali Rental Yields and Returns: What Foreign Investors Should Expect
Bali villa rental yields are widely marketed at figures that look exceptionally attractive. The reality, once management fees, vacancy, taxes, maintenance, and leasehold amortisation are factored in, is more nuanced. This guide explains what investors should realistically expect and what questions to ask before relying on any yield projection.
Read guide →Financing · Bali, IndonesiaBali Property Financing and Payment Structures for Foreign Buyers
The Bali property market runs almost entirely on cash and developer instalment plans for foreign buyers. Understanding payment structures, currency considerations, and the role of ownership vehicles is essential before you commit to any purchase.
Read guide →Tax · United KingdomUK Property Taxes for Overseas Investors: A Complete Guide
UK property taxation for overseas investors spans multiple regimes — from transaction taxes on purchase through to inheritance tax on death — and the rules applying to non-residents differ in important respects from those for UK-resident owners. This guide sets out the landscape as of 2026.
Read guide →Financing · United KingdomUK Buy-to-Let Mortgages for Overseas Investors
UK buy-to-let mortgage finance is accessible to overseas investors, but the non-resident and expat market is distinct from the mainstream domestic market — with higher deposit requirements, specialist lenders, and currency risk considerations that domestic borrowers do not face.
Read guide →Residency & Citizenship · United Arab EmiratesUAE Golden Visa Through Property Investment: A Complete Guide
The UAE Golden Visa offers a ten-year renewable residency permit to property investors who meet the AED 2 million threshold. This guide covers eligibility, the application process, family sponsorship, and what the visa does and does not provide.
Read guide →Tax · ThailandThailand Property Taxes and Fees — A Guide for Foreign Investors
Thailand's property tax framework involves several distinct charges at the point of transfer and on an ongoing basis. Understanding who pays what — and how costs are typically allocated between buyer and seller — is essential for accurate investment modelling.
Read guide →Residency & Citizenship · ThailandThailand LTR Visa and Property Investment — A Guide for Investors
Thailand's Long-Term Resident visa offers qualifying foreign nationals a 10-year stay and certain tax concessions, with the Wealthy Global Citizen category requiring a minimum USD 500,000 investment in Thailand that can include real estate.
Read guide →Residency & Citizenship · SpainSpain Residency Options After the Golden Visa — What Foreign Buyers Need to Know in 2026
Spain's Golden Visa programme — which granted residency to property buyers investing €500,000 or more — closed permanently on 3 April 2025. This guide explains what that means for property buyers, and sets out the alternative residency pathways available to international investors and expats in 2026.
Read guide →Tax · SpainSpain Property Taxes for Foreign Buyers — Complete Guide 2026
Spain levies a range of taxes on property acquisition, ownership and disposal. For non-resident buyers, additional obligations apply — including a requirement to file an annual income tax return even on properties left empty. This guide covers every material tax in plain terms.
Read guide →Buying Guides · United KingdomHow to Buy Property in the UK as an Overseas Investor
Buying property in the United Kingdom as an overseas investor is straightforward in legal terms — there are no restrictions on foreign ownership — but the process, costs, and tax obligations differ from those familiar to domestic buyers and from purchasing norms in many other countries.
Read guide →Buying Guides · ThailandHow to Buy Property in Thailand as a Foreign Investor
Foreign investors can legally own condominium units in freehold and access land-linked property through properly registered leasehold, superficies or usufruct structures. Nominee arrangements are illegal and carry serious risk.
Read guide →Buying Guides · SpainHow to Buy Property in Spain as a Foreign Buyer — Step-by-Step Guide
Buying property in Spain as a non-resident is entirely legal and well-established, but the process involves a specific sequence of legal steps that differs from the UK, the US and many other markets. This guide explains each stage clearly.
Read guide →Buying Guides · GreeceHow to Buy Property in Greece: A Step-by-Step Guide for International Investors
Buying property in Greece involves mandatory legal and administrative steps that differ significantly from most English-speaking markets. This guide sets out the full process for international and expat investors, from obtaining a Greek tax number through to completion.
Read guide →Buying Guides · EgyptHow to Buy Property in Egypt as a Foreigner
Foreign nationals can buy property in Egypt, but the process differs significantly from Western markets. This guide walks through legal ownership rules, contract types, due diligence, and the off-plan payment plans that dominate new supply.
Read guide →Buying Guides · United Arab EmiratesHow to Buy Property in Dubai: A Step-by-Step Guide for International Investors
Dubai allows foreign nationals to purchase freehold property in designated zones, with a regulated process overseen by the Dubai Land Department. This guide explains every stage from search to title deed.
Read guide →Buying Guides · CyprusHow to Buy Property in Cyprus: A Step-by-Step Guide for International Buyers
Buying property in Cyprus is a well-defined process, but foreign nationals face specific legal requirements around permissions, title deeds, and contract registration. This guide walks through each stage so you know what to expect.
Read guide →Buying Guides · Bali, IndonesiaHow to Buy Property in Bali as a Foreigner: Legal Structures Explained
Foreigners cannot hold freehold title over land in Indonesia. Understanding the legal structures available — leasehold, Hak Pakai, and PT PMA — is the essential first step before buying property in Bali.
Read guide →Tax · GreeceGreece Property Taxes and Fees: A Complete Guide for International Investors
Understanding the full cost of buying and holding Greek property is essential before committing capital. Transaction costs typically total 8–10% of the purchase price, and ongoing taxes depend on how the property is used and the owner's personal tax position.
Read guide →Residency & Citizenship · GreeceGreece Golden Visa Guide: Residency by Investment for International Investors
Greece's Golden Visa programme offers non-EU nationals a five-year renewable residence permit through qualifying property investment, with no minimum stay requirement and Schengen travel rights included. Investment thresholds revised in September 2024 remain in effect as of mid-2026.
Read guide →Residency & Citizenship · EgyptEgypt Residency by Property Investment
Egypt offers foreign property investors a pathway to renewable residency from a qualifying investment of USD 100,000, with longer-term permits available at higher thresholds, and a separate citizenship-by-investment programme for those meeting the USD 300,000 property route.
Read guide →Tax · EgyptEgypt Property Taxes and Fees for Foreign Investors
Egypt's property tax system is relatively straightforward by international standards, but investors must understand the annual property tax, the 2.5% tax on sale proceeds, rental income obligations, and critically, their home-country tax position on overseas property.
Read guide →Tax · United Arab EmiratesDubai Property Taxes and Fees: What International Investors Need to Know
Dubai imposes no income tax, capital gains tax, or annual property tax — but several fees and levies apply, and investors resident in the UK, EU, or other jurisdictions remain liable to tax at home on overseas rental income.
Read guide →Tax · CyprusCyprus Property Taxes and Fees: A Complete Guide for Investors
Understanding the full cost of buying, holding, and selling property in Cyprus is essential before committing to a purchase. This guide covers every material tax and fee category, including changes since the abolition of annual immovable property tax in 2017.
Read guide →Residency & Citizenship · CyprusCyprus Permanent Residency by Property Investment: A Complete Guide
Cyprus offers a well-established permanent residency pathway for property investors, granting lifetime residency rights to qualifying buyers and their families. This guide explains the requirements, process, and what residency means in practice.
Read guide →Residency & Citizenship · Bali, IndonesiaIndonesia Second Home Visa: A Guide for Bali Property Investors
Indonesia's Second Home Visa provides foreign nationals with five or ten-year residency through a qualifying property purchase or fund deposit. It does not change the land ownership rules that apply to foreigners.
Read guide →Tax · Bali, IndonesiaBali Property Taxes and Ownership Costs: A Guide for Foreign Investors
Buying, holding and renting property in Bali involves a layered set of Indonesian taxes. This guide explains each levy, who pays it, and how it interacts with common ownership structures used by foreign investors.
Read guide →