Are you tempted by the idea of ​​owning an apartment by the sea in Croatia, a chalet in the Austrian Alps or a villa in Bali? Thanks to the 4globalestate portal, you have access to real estate in dozens of countries around the world. But the rules for purchase and ownership vary from state to state. Find out where you can buy real estate completely freely and without restrictions, and where, on the contrary, specific local rules await you.

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE: The legal regulations of individual countries can change dynamically. The information below serves as a basic overview. Before signing any contracts, we always strongly recommend that you consult the current terms of ownership with a local lawyer or broker representing the property in question.

For maximum clarity, we have divided the market into two main categories depending on where you as a buyer come from.

If you are a citizen of any EU member state and you buy real estate elsewhere within the European Union, the golden rule of free movement of capital applies here. You basically have the same rights as local citizens. You are normally registered in the land registry as the direct and exclusive owner (so-called Freehold). This applies to popular destinations such as Croatia, Italy, Spain, Austria and others. The only thing you have to take into account are different local property acquisition taxes and notary fees.

If you, as a European, are heading to the exotic, you will often come across rules protecting local soil. In countries such as Thailand, Indonesia (Bali) or the Philippines, you cannot directly own land as a foreigner. In practice, the situation is solved in two proven ways:

• Condominium (Apartments for personal ownership): A foreigner can buy an apartment, but in the entire apartment building foreigners may own a maximum of a certain percentage of the area (in Thailand, for example, 49%).
• Leasehold (Long-term lease): You do not traditionally buy a villa with land, but enter into a long-term, fully guaranteed and hereditary lease (typically for 30 years with the possibility of multiple extensions).

In the USA, as an EU citizen, you can own real estate without major bureaucratic obstacles, and the market is open to foreign investors. However, it is important to know that owning a home alone does not automatically secure you a residence visa (Green Card). Be careful at the moment in Canada, which recently introduced widespread temporary restrictions on the purchase of residential real estate by foreigners in order to cool down the overheated housing market.

Although Europe is attractive and relatively open, specific rules apply to non-EU citizens (including citizens of the US or Great Britain after Brexit). The principle of so-called reciprocity is often applied - you can shop in a given EU country only if a citizen of that country can shop in your home country under the same conditions. Sometimes official permission from local ministries is also required.

However, a huge attraction in the EU for foreign investors are the so-called "Golden visas". Countries such as Spain, Greece or Cyprus offer programs where you get a residence permit in the European Union as a bonus when you buy a property above a certain financial threshold.

Some world markets are very strict for non-resident foreign investors. A typical example is Switzerland. Here, strict quotas (known as Lex Koller) apply to all non-residents without distinction. Purchases are only possible in specific tourist cantons (e.g. in the Alps) and the state issues only a very limited number of permits per year.

For non-EU investors, the same rules apply in Asian and exotic destinations as for Europeans – that is, the use of Leasehold institutes or limited purchases within Condominiums.

A notable exception and a huge magnet for global capital is the United Arab Emirates (e.g. Dubai). Here, the state has defined special investment zones (Freehold areas), where a foreigner from anywhere in the world can own real estate and land with 100% rights and often obtains a long-term residence visa for the purchase.

Whatever your dream destination is, on the 4globalestate.com portal you will find offers from all over the world clearly, transparently and in one place. Explore our catalog and take the first step towards your new overseas property today.