Where Do Brits Buy Property Abroad? The 2026 Hotspot Map

Published on: July 4, 2026

Quick answer: British buyers remain the most active foreign purchasers in southern Europe in 2026. Spain is the clear number one, followed by France (often the highest by transaction count), Portugal, Italy, and Greece, with Cyprus, Malta, Dubai, Florida, and Turkey also drawing strong interest. What has changed since Brexit is the context: UK nationals face the 90-days-in-any-180 Schengen limit without a visa, Spain and Portugal have closed the property route to residency, and Greece now runs the main remaining real-estate golden visa in the EU. Owning is still unrestricted; staying long-term is the part to plan.

British buyers have been the most active foreign purchasers in southern Europe for decades, and 2026 is no exception. What has changed is the context around the purchase. Since Brexit, UK nationals no longer have EU free movement, which caps stays in the Schengen area at 90 days in any 180-day period unless they hold a visa. And a wave of tax and residency changes across the popular markets has reshuffled the calculus.

This is the 2026 map of where Brits actually buy, ranked roughly by activity and enduring popularity, with the numbers and the practical realities behind each.

1. Spain: the perennial number one

Spain remains the undisputed favourite. Official data shows around 275,000 UK nationals legally resident in the country, and British buyers continue to lead Spain's foreign property market. In the first half of 2025, UK nationals accounted for roughly 8% of all foreign purchases, leading the international buyer rankings with close to 11,900 transactions.

Where they buy: the Costa del Sol (Marbella, Estepona) and the Costa Blanca (Torrevieja, Villamartin, Ciudad Quesada) dominate, along with the islands and, increasingly, cities like Madrid and Malaga. The draws are consistent: 300-plus days of sun, a 2.5-hour flight, a mature and liquid market, and world-class healthcare.

What to know in 2026: Spain abolished its Golden Visa in April 2025, so property no longer offers a residency route there. Andalusia and other regions have also tightened short-term-rental rules. Buyers should also watch proposals around higher taxes on non-EU purchasers, which have been discussed but should be verified against what is actually in force before buying.

2. France: the classic that leads on transactions

France is often the country where British buyers complete the most overseas purchases, helped by sheer proximity and deep familiarity. The appeal spans the French Riviera and Nice, the wine regions and the Dordogne, Brittany, and the Languedoc, and lesser-known rural towns that offer genuine value.

What to know in 2026: France is relatively accessible for longer stays. UK buyers who want to spend more than 90 days can apply for a long-stay visa (VLS-TS), and there is a clear route from there to a residence permit. Buying costs and rural property prices can be very reasonable compared with the UK.

3. Portugal: the retiree and lifestyle magnet

Portugal rivals Spain for lifestyle appeal and continues to attract strong British interest, particularly at the upper end. British purchasers accounted for around 11% of Portugal's luxury market sales in early 2025. Foreign buyers make up a striking share of transactions in the main cities, with well over half of purchases in central Lisbon and Porto going to non-nationals.

Where they buy: the Algarve (Lagos, Praia da Luz, Tavira) for beaches and golf, Lisbon and Porto for city life, and Madeira. The country ranks among Europe's safest and has seen sharp price growth.

What to know in 2026: Portugal removed residential real estate as a Golden Visa route back in 2023, so, as with Spain, a home purchase is not a residency shortcut. The country has adjusted its tax regimes for new residents, and transfer-tax measures affecting non-resident buyers have been announced, so confirm the current rules before committing.

4. Italy: culture, cuisine, and a tax pull

Italy consistently draws British buyers to Tuscany, Puglia, and Sicily, offering historic homes, rural estates, and, in the south, some of Europe's most affordable property. Beyond lifestyle, Italy's flat-tax regime for certain new foreign residents is a meaningful draw for higher earners and retirees.

What to know in 2026: the buying process can be more bureaucratic than Spain's, and Italy's residency-by-investment routes are structured around business and bonds rather than a simple property purchase. Some towns still run headline-grabbing low-price regeneration schemes, which come with renovation obligations.

5. Greece: value and the last major property golden visa

Greece has long been a favourite for second homes, with British buyers drawn to Crete and the Peloponnese as well as the islands. It also holds a distinction that matters to some buyers: it operates the main remaining real-estate-based Golden Visa in the EU.

What to know in 2026: Greece raised its Golden Visa thresholds under a zone-based system, with the highest tiers (around 800,000 euros) applying to Athens, Thessaloniki, and the most popular islands, and lower thresholds elsewhere. Short-term-rental use of golden-visa properties has been restricted. For a lifestyle purchase outside the premium zones, Greece can offer strong value.

6. Cyprus and Malta: the English-speaking Mediterranean

Both islands appeal to British buyers partly because English is widely used and the legal systems feel familiar. Malta has English as an official language and a favourable tax profile, while Cyprus offers Mediterranean living and, in some categories, attractive terms. Northern Cyprus draws budget-focused buyers but carries specific legal and title-deed complexities that make independent verification essential.

7. Dubai and the UAE: tax-free and yield-driven

Beyond Europe, the UAE has become a major destination for British buyers chasing rental yield, capital growth, and a tax-free income environment. Dubai in particular offers modern stock, strong short-let demand, and, for larger investments, a Golden Visa granting long-term residency (typically tied to a property investment of AED 2 million).

What to know in 2026: transactions are straightforward and quick, but do your due diligence on developer track record and service charges, which can be significant.

8. Florida and the United States: the transatlantic favourite

The US, and Florida above all, remains a classic British destination for holiday homes and rental investments, drawing buyers with sunshine, theme-park proximity, and a large existing British community. The purchase process differs from the UK, financing as a foreign national requires a larger deposit, and US tax treatment needs specific advice, so plan accordingly.

9. Turkey and emerging value markets

Turkey attracts British buyers with some of the most affordable prices in the region and a citizenship-by-investment route (available from a property investment threshold), which is particularly relevant for buyers seeking a second passport. Other emerging markets on British radars include Montenegro and Georgia, which introduced a residence permit tied to property investment. These markets can offer high yields but require careful legal verification.

The 2026 British buyer hotspot map at a glance

The post-Brexit essentials every British buyer should plan for

• The 90/180 Schengen rule. Without a visa, UK nationals can spend at most 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen area. If you want to spend longer at your overseas home, you need a long-stay visa or residence permit.
• Residency is separate from ownership. Buying property rarely grants the right to live somewhere long-term, and several golden-visa property routes have closed. Plan residency as its own process.
• UK non-dom changes. The UK abolished the non-domicile tax regime from April 2025, which has prompted some higher-net-worth individuals to formalise moves abroad. Take tax advice on your specific position.
• Currency. Sterling movements against the euro or dollar can change the real cost of a purchase by thousands, so plan the transfer, not just the price.

Frequently asked questions

Where do most British people buy property abroad?
Spain is by far the most popular, with British nationals leading its foreign buyer market. France, Portugal, and Italy follow, with Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Dubai, and Florida also drawing significant British interest.

Can British people still buy property in the EU after Brexit?
Yes. Brexit did not restrict property ownership itself, and UK nationals can still buy in EU countries. What changed is the right to stay: without a visa, Brits are limited to 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen area.

Which country gives Brits residency if they buy property?
Fewer than before. Spain closed its Golden Visa in 2025 and Portugal removed the property route in 2023. Within the EU, Greece is the main remaining real-estate-based programme, with raised thresholds. Outside the EU, the UAE and Turkey offer residency or citizenship routes tied to investment.

Is it cheaper for Brits to buy in Spain or Portugal?
Both offer better value than much of the UK, but the picture varies by region and property type. Portugal has historically had lower buying fees than Spain in some cases, while Spain offers a larger, more liquid market. Compare the all-in cost, including taxes, for each specific purchase.

Do British buyers need a visa to own a holiday home in Europe?
No visa is needed to own the property. A visa or residence permit is only needed if you want to stay beyond the 90-day Schengen limit, or to become resident.

Find your spot on the map

Wherever British buyers are heading in 2026, JanusHermes brings verified listings from trusted agencies across more than 50 countries into one place, so you can compare markets, prices, and locations side by side. Explore properties across every hotspot.

This guide is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Visa, tax, and residency rules change frequently. Confirm the current position for your situation with a qualified professional before you buy.

A note on the numbers: where no source is named, the market figures in this article (prices, yields, costs) are indicative estimates compiled from publicly available market data and industry reporting at the time of writing. Markets move and rules change, so treat them as a starting point and verify current figures with official sources before acting on them.