As countries such as Spain and New Zealand block foreign property investment, experts have revealed the countries where British expats are encouraged to buy a home.

Spain’s 100% tax on homes bought by non-EU residents and New Zealand’s ‘foreign buyer ban’ may force many Brits dreaming of a life overseas to reconsider their options as both countries have historically been popular destinations for British expats.

As a result, expat specialists at insurance operator William Russell have put together a roundup of the top countries actively encouraging Britons to purchase property and shared their expert tips for buying a home abroad. 

Destinations offering incentives for British expats to buy property

1. Italy 

Italy has brought back its popular 1 Euro Houses initiative and has reportedly attracted thousands of buyers already.

The initiative is aimed at revitalising small, rural villages that have experienced population decline. Several towns, including Zungoli in Campania and Mussomeli in Sicily, are offering abandoned houses for €1 to attract new residents.

2. Greece

Launched in 2013, the Greek Golden Visa Program grants residency to non-EU investors who buy property in Greece, making it an attractive option for British expats.

Key benefits include a 5-year residency permit that’s renewable as long as you keep the property, the inclusion of your family in the permit, and a path to citizenship after seven years. 

3. Thailand

Thailand makes it relatively easy for British expats to live long-term through various visa programs, tax benefits as well as several property ownership options. 

British expats can buy freehold condominiums in Thailand as long as foreign ownership in a building doesn’t exceed 49%. In addition, expats can lease land or houses for up to 30 years, and areas such as Phuket, Pattaya, and Bangkok offer luxury developments specifically designed for foreign buyers. 

William Cooper, marketing director at William Russell, comments: “Buying property abroad as a UK expat can seem complicated with unique challenges such as language barriers, exchange rates, and more difficulty getting a mortgage. But it’s pretty straightforward if you know what you’re doing. If you’ve found your dream home abroad, my tips are to work with local experts, monitor currency exchange rates, and organise financial documents well in advance to make the process go as smoothly as possible. 

“Consider hiring local property and law experts to help navigate language barriers and local laws. If you can, pick estate agents and local legal council officials who specialise in working with British expats or find a community of British expats for the country you’re moving to and ask them for recommendations. For legal experts, make sure they’re registered with any local legal councils and/or the Law Society in the UK. If you don’t speak the language or aren’t fluent in it, more often than not, these experts will act as your translator, too, which will help streamline the process.. 

“Transferring your money from your UK-based bank account to your overseas seller may incur a currency conversion charge. Arrange your financing ahead of time whether it’s through a local bank or an international mortgage. Keep a close eye on currency fluctuations and consider using a foreign exchange specialist to save money. 

“As a UK expat, you might need to supply your mortgage lenders abroad with more extensive paperwork, such as proof of income, tax returns, and credit history. Plus, there are extra expat-only steps you’ll need to go through such as anti-money laundering and tax checks. Some countries require expats to take out things like private health insurance as part of the process, too. So it’s a good idea to get these organised and translated well in advance to prevent any hiccups.”