Thailand
1–2% costsRestricted · condos only · LTV No mortgagetax 0.02–0.3%
2 Apr 2026 · practitioner · guide →
PropertyBuying abroad · 20 markets · figures dated
All property guides →Buy Property Abroad — Know the Real Costs Before You Commit
Start with the rule that can stop the purchase, then compare the cash it takes to close, annual tax and non-resident financing.
The quick answer
We track 20 countries: 12 unrestricted markets, 7 restricted markets, and 1 leasehold-only market (Bali). Non-resident mortgages are marked available in 17 markets. Start with ownership status; then compare purchase costs, annual tax, and LTV in the ledger below.
[Data] WhereNext property registry — every row; bank evidence belongs to /property/buy · verified
Choose a route
Seven paths, arranged by the decision rather than by content format.
Buy abroadOwnership, costs and named-bank mortgage terms.Compare markets →
Rent abroadDeposits, lease terms and rental rules.Explore renting →
Cost calculatorTurn a purchase price into cash-to-close.Calculate →
Free city reportsSeven city reads with national yield and cost context.Read reports →
Country guidesProcesses, taxes and restrictions by market.Browse guides →
Decision briefA packet shaped around your budget and destination.Build my packet →
Local buyer's-agent introAsk a person to review a local match.Request an intro →
Every market, one table
Orientation here; worked cash and named-bank detail stay on /property/buy.
20 markets · sorted by minimum purchase costs
| Market | Foreign ownership | Purchase costs | Annual tax | Non-resident LTV | Verified | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Restricted · condos only | 1–2% | 0.02–0.3% | No mortgage | 2 Apr 2026 · practitioner | Guide → |
| Bali (Indonesia) | No freehold · leasehold only | 2–3% | 0.01–0.05% | No mortgage | 2 Apr 2026 · practitioner | Guide → |
| Ecuador | Restricted · border/coast land | 2–5% | 0–0.25% | No mortgage | 2 Apr 2026 · mixed | Profile → |
| Panama | Unrestricted | 2–5% | 0–0.75% | 50–70% | 2 Apr 2026 · mixed | Profile → |
| Colombia | Unrestricted | 3–5% | 0.5–1.6% | 50–70% | 2 Apr 2026 · mixed | Profile → |
| Costa Rica | Unrestricted | 3.5–5% | 0.25% | 50–70% | 2 Apr 2026 · mixed | Profile → |
| Malaysia | Restricted · state minimums | 4–5% | 0.01–0.02% | 60–70% | 2 Apr 2026 · mixed | Profile → |
| Turkey | Unrestricted · military zones excluded | 4–6% | 0.1–0.6% | 50–70% | 2 Apr 2026 · mixed | Profile → |
| Mexico | Restricted · bank trust in zones | 4–7% | 0.1–0.3% | 50–65% | 2 Apr 2026 · practitioner | Guide → |
| United Kingdom | Unrestricted | 4–14% | 0.59–1.76% | 60–75% | 3 Sep 2026 · mixed | Profile → |
| Japan | Unrestricted | 6–8% | 1–1.7% | 50–70% | 2 Apr 2026 · registrar | Profile → |
| Netherlands | Unrestricted | 6–10% | 0.1–0.3% | 60–80% | 2 Apr 2026 · mixed | Profile → |
| Dubai (UAE) | Restricted · designated areas | 7–8% | 0% | 50–65% | 2 Apr 2026 · registrar | Guide → |
| France | Unrestricted | 7–8% | 0.5–2% | 70–80% | 2 Apr 2026 · mixed | Guide → |
| Greece | Restricted · some border zones | 7–10% | 0.1–1.15% | 50–70% | 2 Apr 2026 · mixed | Profile → |
| Portugal | Unrestricted | 7–12% | 0.3–0.45% | 70–80% | Sep 2026 · bank + tax authority | Guide → |
| Italy | Unrestricted · reciprocity applies | 7–15% | 0.4–0.76% | 50–60% | 2 Apr 2026 · mixed | Guide → |
| Spain | Unrestricted | 8–13% | 0.4–1.1% | 60–70% | Sep 2026 · bank + tax authority | Guide → |
| Singapore | Restricted · landed approval | 8–30% | 0–0.16% | 45–75% | 2 Apr 2026 · registrar | Profile → |
| Germany | Unrestricted | 10–15% | 0.3–0.8% | 60–70% | 2 Apr 2026 · mixed | Profile → |
Bali (Indonesia)
2–3% costsNo freehold · leasehold only · LTV No mortgagetax 0.01–0.05%
2 Apr 2026 · practitioner · guide →
Ecuador
2–5% costsRestricted · border/coast land · LTV No mortgagetax 0–0.25%
2 Apr 2026 · mixed · profile →
Panama
2–5% costsUnrestricted · LTV 50–70%tax 0–0.75%
2 Apr 2026 · mixed · profile →
Colombia
3–5% costsUnrestricted · LTV 50–70%tax 0.5–1.6%
2 Apr 2026 · mixed · profile →
Costa Rica
3.5–5% costsUnrestricted · LTV 50–70%tax 0.25%
2 Apr 2026 · mixed · profile →
Malaysia
4–5% costsRestricted · state minimums · LTV 60–70%tax 0.01–0.02%
2 Apr 2026 · mixed · profile →
Turkey
4–6% costsUnrestricted · military zones excluded · LTV 50–70%tax 0.1–0.6%
2 Apr 2026 · mixed · profile →
Mexico
4–7% costsRestricted · bank trust in zones · LTV 50–65%tax 0.1–0.3%
2 Apr 2026 · practitioner · guide →
United Kingdom
4–14% costsUnrestricted · LTV 60–75%tax 0.59–1.76%
3 Sep 2026 · mixed · profile →
Japan
6–8% costsUnrestricted · LTV 50–70%tax 1–1.7%
2 Apr 2026 · registrar · profile →
Netherlands
6–10% costsUnrestricted · LTV 60–80%tax 0.1–0.3%
2 Apr 2026 · mixed · profile →
Dubai (UAE)
7–8% costsRestricted · designated areas · LTV 50–65%tax 0%
2 Apr 2026 · registrar · guide →
France
7–8% costsUnrestricted · LTV 70–80%tax 0.5–2%
2 Apr 2026 · mixed · guide →
Greece
7–10% costsRestricted · some border zones · LTV 50–70%tax 0.1–1.15%
2 Apr 2026 · mixed · profile →
Portugal
7–12% costsUnrestricted · LTV 70–80%tax 0.3–0.45%
Sep 2026 · bank + tax authority · guide →
Italy
7–15% costsUnrestricted · reciprocity applies · LTV 50–60%tax 0.4–0.76%
2 Apr 2026 · mixed · guide →
Spain
8–13% costsUnrestricted · LTV 60–70%tax 0.4–1.1%
Sep 2026 · bank + tax authority · guide →
Singapore
8–30% costsRestricted · landed approval · LTV 45–75%tax 0–0.16%
2 Apr 2026 · registrar · profile →
Germany
10–15% costsUnrestricted · LTV 60–70%tax 0.3–0.8%
2 Apr 2026 · mixed · profile →
[Data] WhereNext property registry — costs, annual tax and country-level LTV bands; Spain and Portugal use the named-bank mortgage registry. Methodology · verified
Free city reports
City reporting, with the registry's national yield and purchase-cost band stated honestly.
[Data] National averages and bands from the WhereNext property registry. These figures are context for each city report, not city-level figures. · verified
Common questions
Can a foreign buyer own freehold?
The registry marks 12 markets unrestricted, 7 restricted, and 1 leasehold-only. Read the exact restriction before comparing price.
Can a non-resident get a mortgage?
Mortgage availability is recorded in 17 markets. Country bands orient; named-bank bases and terms live on the buy page.
Are low purchase costs the whole answer?
No. Put purchase costs beside annual tax, ownership limits and the cash a lender leaves you to fund.
Should I buy or rent?
Test your stay, exit costs and financing assumptions in the buy-versus-rent route before committing.
When the comparison has narrowed the field
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The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice. Property laws, tax rules, and market conditions change frequently. Always consult qualified local professionals before making property decisions.