Where you can buy — and what you get
Not a list of countries, but an analysis of buying rights: where you get full ownership ownership, where a trust or lease applies, and where the law prohibits you from buying.
Almost every international property catalogue is built the same way: country, a nice photo and a starting price. The problem is that the word ’buy’ means different things in different countries means very different things. In Bali, a foreigner doesn’t get ownership, and long-term land lease. In Mexico on the coast — ownership through a bank trust. In Thailand — an apartment within the foreign quota of the building, but not the land beneath it. And in Texas, from September As of 2025, a Russian citizen cannot purchase anything at all.
That’s why countries here are arranged not alphabetically, but by what you you will actually receive. You can filter below by your goal — income, residency, a winter stay, relocating as a family, or a minimal budget. If you’re already know where you want to go, head straight to city map.
Buying as a local
Freehold ownership, no nationality restrictions. It all comes down to budget and proper documentation.
UAE
The only place with no income tax on rental income. The trade-off is a high service charge — calculate your yield after it, not before.
Turkey
The only real citizenship-by-investment programme. The transaction takes a few weeks, but the price of qualifying properties is often inflated — always verify the valuation.
Georgia
The lowest entry point and the fastest transaction on our list. Rental income tax is 5% — one of the lowest in the world.
Cyprus
EU and English law — the most straightforward transaction of all. Yields are modest, but that is the price of predictability.
Greece
One of the most accessible entry points into the EU. The residence permit programme threshold varies by region — we check it for each specific property.
Montenegro
Adriatic coast with a low entry price and a straightforward transaction. The season is short — when calculating short-term rental yield, be honest about occupancy rates.
Spain
Golden Visa is gone: buying property no longer grants residency. And keep in mind the 24% tax on gross rental income for non-EU residents — expenses cannot be deducted.
Portugal
A mild climate and a stable market, but property has been removed from the residence permit investment programme. People buy here to live, not for status.
Serbia
Visa-free entry and purchase as an individual with no extra conditions. A straightforward option for relocating rather than generating income.
Armenia
No purchase restrictions, full support throughout, and the residence permit is genuinely linked to the property. The most straightforward entry point from outside the EU.
Azerbaijan
The Caspian Sea and accessible new-build projects in Baku. A narrow market with liquidity lower than prices suggest.
Kyrgyzstan
Easy entry, no visa required, and one of the most accessible markets in Central Asia. Properties here are bought more for relocation than for rental income.
Brazil
No restrictions on nationality and one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. A long-haul flight and currency risk are the main drawbacks.
Chile
The most straightforward purchase in all of Latin America: a foreigner buys on equal terms with a citizen, even on a tourist visa — all you need is a RUT tax number. However, residency through property ownership is not available here; no such programme exists in the country.
Argentina
Open ownership and low prices following devaluation. The economy is unstable — which is both an opportunity and a risk.
Buying, but with conditions
You can buy, but what you get is not quite what you might think of as ownership. The terms matter more than the price — read the ’what you receive’ line.
Mexico
Our top market for 2026. No visa required, yields above European levels. Coastal property is held through a bank trust — fideicomiso — a standard legal structure, not a workaround.
Thailand
Apartments may be purchased in freehold within the building’s foreign ownership quota; land cannot be owned outright. Also check your right to let: short-term rentals under 30 days require a hotel licence.
Indonesia
The highest yield on our list — and the weakest legal structure. A foreigner receives leasehold: the land does not transfer to you, so calculate payback within the remaining lease term.
Vietnam
A growing resort market with a low entry point. Ownership is leasehold — 50 years with renewal — and the foreign-ownership quota in each building is capped.
Malaysia
You can only buy above the state’s price threshold — usually from MYR 1 million. On the upside, English is in everyday use and the long-term visa is easy to understand.
China
Hainan as a resort and Shenzhen as a business hub — two very different markets. Foreign buyers must demonstrate a connection to the country: employment or study.
Now closed or nearly so
Direct restrictions for Russian citizens. We still work with these destinations — but we start by checking your right to purchase, not by shortlisting properties.
USA
Texas has been effectively closed to Russian citizens since 1 September 2025. Florida’s ban is zonal: agricultural land and within 10 miles of military installations and critical infrastructure. In all other states there are no restrictions on purchasing — but we verify the address, not just the city.
Canada
The federal ban on foreign property purchases runs until 1 January 2027. Exceptions apply now: permanent residents and work permit holders with at least 183 days remaining.
India
Direct purchase by a non-resident is closed without approval from the Reserve Bank of India. Goa is typically taken on long-term lease — fine for a winter stay, but not as an investment.
Not sure it’s right for you?
Tell us your goal and budget — we will suggest two or three destinations with an honest comparison, including what you won’t like about them. It’s faster than reading twenty pages, and more precisely than a filter.