Clear answers, before the decision.
Practical, current guidance on owning property abroad: ownership, the buying process, residency and cost, written market by market and reviewed quarterly.
23 guides
Start here
The cornerstone guides.
Cross-market overviews. The fastest way to orient before you go deep on a single country.
What it really costs to buy property abroad
Transfer taxes, fees and running costs across the Gulf and the Adriatic, compared side by side.
In this guideBuying costsHolding costsTaxesCompared
Routes to residency through property investment
Yes. From the UAE Golden Visa to Saudi Premium Residency: how a purchase can secure the right to stay.
In this guideBy marketThresholdsFamilyCompared
Can foreigners buy property abroad?
Yes. The short answer is yes, in every market we cover. Where, how and what changes by country.
In this guideFive marketsEligibilityRestrictionsWhere to start
The full library
Every guide, by market.Every guide, by topic.
Switch the view to regroup. Filter and search update the index live.
Middle East
Saudi Arabia
Freehold reform and Premium Residency have opened a sovereign-backed pipeline, from Jeddah Central to Riyadh and the Red Sea.
5Guides
Visit marketRETT, registration, agency and running costs: the true all-in figure on a residence.
In this guideRETT 5%FeesRunning costsWorked example
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026ProcessHow to buy property in Saudi ArabiaReservation to registered title at the Real Estate Registry: the stages, timelines and who you need.
In this guideReservationDue diligenceSPARegistration
Detailed7 stepsReviewed Jun 2026OwnershipCan foreigners buy property in Saudi Arabia?EssentialYes. Foreign individuals can own freehold in designated areas, with 2026 rules widening access in Riyadh and Jeddah.
In this guideEligibilityDesignated zonesProcessResidency
FoundationalReviewed Jun 2026Off-planBuying off-plan property in Jeddah and RiyadhEscrow protection, payment plans and what a Four Seasons or operator flag is worth at handover.
In this guideEscrowPayment plansOperator premiumHandover
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026ResidencyPremium Residency through property in Saudi ArabiaYes. How a qualifying purchase routes to renewable or permanent residency for you and your family.
In this guideThresholdsRoutesFamilyRenewal
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026
Middle East
United Arab Emirates
The region's most liquid market: freehold zones, the ten-year Golden Visa, and a maturing branded-residence sector.
6Guides
Visit marketMOU to DLD transfer in as little as thirty days: the stages, the NOC, and the costs at each.
In this guideMOUNOCDLD transferHandover
Detailed6 stepsReviewed Jun 2026ResidencyThe UAE Golden Visa through property investmentYes. An AED 2m qualifying purchase secures a renewable ten-year residency: thresholds, process and family inclusion.
In this guideThresholdEligibilityProcessFamily
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026OwnershipCan foreigners buy property in the UAE?EssentialYes. Freehold is open to all nationalities within designated zones across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates.
In this guideFreehold zonesEligibilityTitleLeasehold
FoundationalReviewed Jun 2026Off-planRas Al Khaimah: the new branded-residence frontierWynn-anchored masterplans and early pricing: what the RAK pipeline means for patient capital.
In this guideThe pipelinePricingEscrowOutlook
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026CostsThe true cost of owning property in DubaiThe 4% transfer fee is only the start. What you pay to buy, and what you pay to hold.
In this guideDLD 4%AgencyService chargesWorked example
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026StructuresFreehold vs. leasehold in the EmiratesWhat you actually own, where the difference bites, and how to read a title before you commit.
In this guideFreeholdLeaseholdCommon areasRed flags
FoundationalReviewed Jun 2026
Middle East
Qatar
Freehold districts at the Pearl and Lusail, with renewable residency tied to investment thresholds.
3Guides
Visit marketYes. Freehold is permitted in designated districts including the Pearl and Lusail, with usufruct rights elsewhere.
In this guideFreehold districtsUsufructEligibilityTitle
FoundationalReviewed Jun 2026CostsThe cost of buying property in DohaTransfer fees, agency and service charges at the Pearl and Lusail: a clear all-in picture.
In this guideTransfer feeAgencyService chargesExample
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026ResidencyResidency by investment in QatarHow ownership above set thresholds grants renewable residency, and, importantly, what it does not.
In this guideThresholdsProcessFamilyLimits
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026
Middle East
Oman
Integrated Tourism Complexes grant foreign freehold and residency along a quiet, slow-to-price coastline.
4Guides
Visit marketYes. Integrated Tourism Complexes grant foreign freehold and residency: the model, and where it applies.
In this guideThe ITC modelFreeholdEligibilityLocations
FoundationalReviewed Jun 2026ProcessBuying property in Muscat: process and timelineFrom reservation to registered title inside an ITC: the stages and realistic timelines.
In this guideReservationSPARegistrationHandover
Detailed5 stepsReviewed Jun 2026ResidencyOman residency through an Integrated Tourism ComplexHow an ITC purchase secures renewable residency for owner and family, with no minimum stay.
In this guideEligibilityProcessFamilyRenewal
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026CostsCosts and fees when buying property in OmanRegistration, agency and the ongoing community charges typical of an ITC residence.
In this guideRegistrationAgencyCommunity feesExample
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026
Europe
Montenegro
Open foreign ownership, a clear residence route, and the Adriatic's quiet, understated frontier at Boka Bay.
5Guides
Visit marketYes. Most residential property is open to foreign buyers outright, with light limits on agricultural and border land.
In this guideEligibilityRestrictionsTitleCompany route
FoundationalReviewed Jun 2026ProcessBuying property on the Montenegrin coastReservation, notarised contract and Land Registry entry at Tivat and Boka Bay: what to expect.
In this guideReservationNotaryLand RegistryHandover
Detailed5 stepsReviewed Jun 2026ResidencyMontenegro residence permit through propertyHow ownership supports a renewable temporary residence permit, and the path toward permanence.
In this guideEligibilityProcessFamilyPermanence
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026Off-planBranded residences at Boka Bay and KolasinPorto Montenegro and the new mountain pipeline: off-plan structures and the operator question.
In this guideThe pipelineEscrowOperatorOutlook
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026CostsProperty taxes and costs in MontenegroTransfer tax, notary and agency, plus the annual holding costs on an Adriatic residence.
In this guideTransfer tax 3%NotaryAnnual costsExample
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026Topic
Ownership and eligibility
Who can buy, where, and exactly what you own.
5Guides
Yes. Freehold is open to all nationalities within designated zones across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates.
In this guideFreehold zonesEligibilityTitleLeasehold
FoundationalReviewed Jun 2026OwnershipCan foreigners buy property in Saudi Arabia?EssentialYes. Foreign individuals can own freehold in designated areas, with 2026 rules widening access in Riyadh and Jeddah.
In this guideEligibilityDesignated zonesProcessResidency
FoundationalReviewed Jun 2026OwnershipCan foreigners buy property in Montenegro?EssentialYes. Most residential property is open to foreign buyers outright, with light limits on agricultural and border land.
In this guideEligibilityRestrictionsTitleCompany route
FoundationalReviewed Jun 2026OwnershipCan foreigners buy property in Oman? ITCs explainedEssentialYes. Integrated Tourism Complexes grant foreign freehold and residency: the model, and where it applies.
In this guideThe ITC modelFreeholdEligibilityLocations
FoundationalReviewed Jun 2026OwnershipCan foreigners own property in Qatar?EssentialYes. Freehold is permitted in designated districts including the Pearl and Lusail, with usufruct rights elsewhere.
In this guideFreehold districtsUsufructEligibilityTitle
FoundationalReviewed Jun 2026Topic
The buying process
From reservation to registered title, step by step.
4Guides
MOU to DLD transfer in as little as thirty days: the stages, the NOC, and the costs at each.
In this guideMOUNOCDLD transferHandover
Detailed6 stepsReviewed Jun 2026ProcessHow to buy property in Saudi ArabiaReservation to registered title at the Real Estate Registry: the stages, timelines and who you need.
In this guideReservationDue diligenceSPARegistration
Detailed7 stepsReviewed Jun 2026ProcessBuying property on the Montenegrin coastReservation, notarised contract and Land Registry entry at Tivat and Boka Bay: what to expect.
In this guideReservationNotaryLand RegistryHandover
Detailed5 stepsReviewed Jun 2026ProcessBuying property in Muscat: process and timelineFrom reservation to registered title inside an ITC: the stages and realistic timelines.
In this guideReservationSPARegistrationHandover
Detailed5 stepsReviewed Jun 2026Topic
Residency and visas
How a purchase routes to the right to stay.
5Guides
Yes. An AED 2m qualifying purchase secures a renewable ten-year residency: thresholds, process and family inclusion.
In this guideThresholdEligibilityProcessFamily
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026ResidencyPremium Residency through property in Saudi ArabiaYes. How a qualifying purchase routes to renewable or permanent residency for you and your family.
In this guideThresholdsRoutesFamilyRenewal
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026ResidencyMontenegro residence permit through propertyHow ownership supports a renewable temporary residence permit, and the path toward permanence.
In this guideEligibilityProcessFamilyPermanence
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026ResidencyOman residency through an Integrated Tourism ComplexHow an ITC purchase secures renewable residency for owner and family, with no minimum stay.
In this guideEligibilityProcessFamilyRenewal
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026ResidencyResidency by investment in QatarHow ownership above set thresholds grants renewable residency, and, importantly, what it does not.
In this guideThresholdsProcessFamilyLimits
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026Topic
Costs, taxes and fees
The all-in price to buy, and the cost to hold.
5Guides
RETT, registration, agency and running costs: the true all-in figure on a residence.
In this guideRETT 5%FeesRunning costsWorked example
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026CostsThe true cost of owning property in DubaiThe 4% transfer fee is only the start. What you pay to buy, and what you pay to hold.
In this guideDLD 4%AgencyService chargesWorked example
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026CostsThe cost of buying property in DohaTransfer fees, agency and service charges at the Pearl and Lusail: a clear all-in picture.
In this guideTransfer feeAgencyService chargesExample
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026CostsProperty taxes and costs in MontenegroTransfer tax, notary and agency, plus the annual holding costs on an Adriatic residence.
In this guideTransfer tax 3%NotaryAnnual costsExample
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026CostsCosts and fees when buying property in OmanRegistration, agency and the ongoing community charges typical of an ITC residence.
In this guideRegistrationAgencyCommunity feesExample
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026Topic
Off-plan and branded
Escrow, payment plans and the operator premium.
3Guides
Wynn-anchored masterplans and early pricing: what the RAK pipeline means for patient capital.
In this guideThe pipelinePricingEscrowOutlook
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026Off-planBuying off-plan property in Jeddah and RiyadhEscrow protection, payment plans and what a Four Seasons or operator flag is worth at handover.
In this guideEscrowPayment plansOperator premiumHandover
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026Off-planBranded residences at Boka Bay and KolasinPorto Montenegro and the new mountain pipeline: off-plan structures and the operator question.
In this guideThe pipelineEscrowOperatorOutlook
DetailedReviewed Jun 2026Topic
Ownership structures
Freehold, leasehold, usufruct and how to read a title.
1Guides
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