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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: 11 unrestricted markets, 9 restricted markets, and 0 leasehold-only market. 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

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 →
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

Thailand

1–2% costs
Restricted · condos only · LTV No mortgagetax 0.02–0.3%

6 Sep 2026 · practitioner · guide →

Bali (Indonesia)

2–3% costs
Restricted · leasehold only · LTV No mortgagetax 0.01–0.05%

6 Sep 2026 · practitioner · guide →

Ecuador

2–5% costs
Restricted · border/coast land · LTV No mortgagetax 0–0.25%

6 Sep 2026 · mixed · profile →

Panama

2–5% costs
Unrestricted · LTV 50–70%tax 0–0.75%

6 Sep 2026 · mixed · profile →

Colombia

3–5% costs
Unrestricted · LTV 50–70%tax 0.5–1.6%

6 Sep 2026 · mixed · profile →

Costa Rica

3.5–5% costs
Unrestricted · LTV 50–70%tax 0.25%

6 Sep 2026 · mixed · profile →

Turkey

4–6% costs
Restricted · military zones excluded · LTV 50–70%tax 0.1–0.6%

6 Sep 2026 · mixed · profile →

Mexico

4–7% costs
Restricted · bank trust in zones · LTV 50–65%tax 0.1–0.3%

6 Sep 2026 · practitioner · guide →

United Kingdom

4–14% costs
Unrestricted · LTV 60–75%tax 0.59–1.76%

6 Sep 2026 · mixed · profile →

Japan

6–8% costs
Unrestricted · LTV 50–70%tax 1–1.7%

2 Apr 2026 · registrar · profile →

Netherlands

6–10% costs
Unrestricted · LTV 60–80%tax 0.1–0.3%

6 Sep 2026 · mixed · profile →

Dubai (UAE)

7–8% costs
Restricted · designated areas · LTV 50–65%tax 0%

6 Sep 2026 · registrar · guide →

France

7–9% costs
Unrestricted · LTV 70–80%tax 0.5–2%

6 Sep 2026 · mixed · guide →

Greece

7–10% costs
Restricted · some border zones · LTV 50–70%tax 0.1–1.15%

6 Sep 2026 · mixed · profile →

Italy

7–15% costs
Unrestricted · reciprocity applies · LTV 50–60%tax 0.4–0.76%

6 Sep 2026 · mixed · guide →

Spain

8–13% costs
Unrestricted · LTV 60–70%tax 0.4–1.1%

Sep 2026 · bank + tax authority · guide →

Malaysia

9–10% costs
Restricted · state minimums · LTV 60–70%tax 0.01–0.02%

6 Sep 2026 · mixed · profile →

Portugal

10–12% costs
Unrestricted · LTV 70–80%tax 0.3–0.45%

Sep 2026 · bank + tax authority · guide →

Germany

10–15% costs
Unrestricted · LTV 60–70%tax 0.3–0.8%

6 Sep 2026 · mixed · profile →

Singapore

61–66% costs
Restricted · landed approval · LTV 45–75%tax 0–0.16%

24 Sep 2026 · registrar · 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.

Lisbon6.2% yield10–12% costsReport →
Valencia6.2% yield8–13% costsReport →
Barcelona6.2% yield8–13% costsReport →
Dubai6.6% yield7–8% costsReport →
Bangkok5.5% yield1–2% costsReport →
Paris3.5% yield7–9% costsReport →
Mexico City5.8% yield4–7% costsReport →

[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 11 markets unrestricted, 9 restricted, and 0 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.

Alternative path · vetted human review

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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.

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