• Home
  • »
  • Blog
  • »
  • Property
  • »
  • Buying investment property overseas: Can it be done easily?

Buying investment property overseas: Can it be done easily?

Buying investment property overseas: Can it be done easily?

Buying investment property overseas, in a country other than the one where you live. This means that you are qualified as a foreign investor in real estate.

Decades ago, foreign investment in real estate was subject to restrictions and limitations in a host of countries worldwide. Fortunately, many of these restrictions have been removed in Europe and beyond.

Freedom of movement in the European Union

There have been drastic changes, especially in Europe. Foreign investors can now invest freely in real estate in most Member States. This is even the case in Eastern European countries that used to be under communist rule!

The free movement of goods, services, people and capital in the European Union has made things much more liberal and easier.

Buying an investment property [AVAILABLE SOON] in the EEA is nowadays quite easy, also for cross-border financing (if you can offer collateral in your country of residence).

Only in Switzerland (not a member of the European Union but geographically part of Europe) are there some restrictions on the acquisition of holiday homes.

Buying an investment property in the Middle East and Africa is more difficult. The reason: there are still restrictions in place in many countries of the region regarding foreign investors.

Why is buying investment property overseas attractive?

There are a lot of reasons why someone might be attracted to a particular country and its real estate market [AVAILABLE SOON].

Some of these reasons are as follows:

  • Lower price of properties compared to the home country
  • Higher yields compared to buy-to-let properties in the home country
  • Some destinations may offer a better way of life
  • Certain countries have stable economies or fast-growing economies
  • Other countries guarantee a much better climate to live in
  • Still other destinations are attractive to specific types of people, all of whom also need their own place to live in:

Buying investment property overseas? Keep the following in mind:

Formalities and documentation

Nowadays, you have to provide a lot of documentation to prove your identity. The Know Your Customer procedures have been tightened up enormously worldwide.

This causes delays in the purchase procedure and often a confrontation with bureaucracy and many rules.

Legislation and taxation

Each country has its own legislation, including in the area of investing in real estate [AVAILABLE SOON].

For example, registration fees, property taxes, rental income taxes and capital gains taxes may be fundamentally different from those in your home country.

Minimum periods

In some countries, you have to keep a property for a minimum number of years before you can collect the capital gains tax-free when selling it.

Cultural differences

Purchasing an investment property in another country means that you will be confronted with a different culture.

This is noticeable right down to the level of government services. Sometimes there is also a language barrier, but you can get around this by getting good guidance.

Professional guidance - Buying investment property overseas

It is important to be guided by a professional who speaks the language of the country in which you want to invest.

In this way, you avoid complications and misunderstandings due to poor communication.

Exchange rate

Also take into account exchange rate differences. Even in the European Union, not all countries use the euro.

Fluctuations in exchange rates mean that the price of a particular property in a country outside the currency union rises or falls in euro terms. This can lead to positive or negative surprises!

What is the goal?

Know what you want from your investment property! Is it a pure investment, is it for mixed use or is it pure private property?

This can have an impact on the region in which you will invest, as some countries restrict the purchase of pure investment properties to certain special zones.

Buying investment property overseas: How do you search?

On this website you can search for investment properties worldwide. You can do this in various ways:

Foreign investment properties in the spotlight

Are you already looking for inspiration to see what is actually available to investors?

Then the following shortlist of investment properties abroad is worth looking at:

Other information on foreign real estate

Rational investing in real estate abroad based on figures: Tips
Long-distance investing in real estate outside the country: Insights
Investing in a holiday home abroad: 4 good reasons!
Letting a holiday home: 7 tips to achieve higher returns!
Luxury villas can repay themselves in up to 6 different ways!
Retiring abroad: Trust your instincts when choosing a location
Where to retire? Start with yourself to discover the ideal destination!
How to retire abroad? Steps and tips to prepare your retirement abroad!
Buying and letting a second home abroad: Important aspects
How to buy property abroad at the best exchange rate?
Houses for sale abroad: Different types of property rights!
Moving abroad: Checklist with practical considerations!
Investing money in a house abroad? Consult a solicitor!
Investing in foreign real estate? Plan your future and think ahead!
Costs of a second home: Careful budgeting is the key!

Additional information about buying investment property overseas

Take a look in the info corner! Here you can find a lot of information on types of investment property and on specific countries.

Many articles and pages are provided with the necessary statistics, figures and graphs.

You will also find very specific and in-depth information such as Why invest in real estate [AVAILABLE SOON]!

And read why investing in real estate with rental guarantee [AVAILABLE SOON] can be a suitable alternative to your savings account.