Can you buy a home there?

• Foreign persons, including temporary residents, have been banned from buying established homes since 1 April 2025. The May 2026 federal Budget announced an extension of the ban to 30 June 2029. Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens aren't affected.
• Foreign buyers can still apply to buy new or off-the-plan homes and vacant land (which must be built on within 4 years). Approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) is needed first.
• FIRB fees rise with the price: for a new home up to A$1 million the fee is A$15,600 (1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027). A yearly vacancy fee applies if the home isn't lived in or rented out for 183 days a year.
• States add a foreign-buyer stamp duty surcharge: 9% in NSW; 8% in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania; 7% in WA and SA; none in the ACT and NT.

A temporary rule here is due to end or change around March 31, 2027. Check the official source for the latest.

• Foreigners can buy homes in cities on the same terms as Brazilians, with a CPF tax number.
• Rural land, and land within 150 km of the borders, is restricted and needs approval.

• Until 1 January 2027, most people who aren't Canadian citizens or permanent residents can't buy homes in cities and larger towns. Some work-permit holders and students are exempt.
• As of October 2026, no extension or replacement of the ban had been passed. Check again before buying in 2027.
• Provinces add their own taxes: Ontario charges a 25% Non-Resident Speculation Tax, and British Columbia a 20% additional transfer tax in specified areas.

A temporary rule here is due to end or change around January 1, 2027. Check the official source for the latest.

• There are no restrictions based on nationality or residence.
• Transfer duties on older homes are about 6.3% of the price in most départements (since April 2025).
• Owning a home doesn't give the right to live in France: non-EU owners need a visa to stay longer than 90 days in any 180.

• There are no restrictions on nationality or residence, and no surcharge for foreign buyers.
• Property transfer tax depends on the state: from 3.5% to 6.5%.

• Foreigners can buy. Some border and island areas need a permit for non-EU buyers.
• A golden visa through property needs €800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and larger islands, or €400,000 elsewhere, in one home of at least 120 m².
• In September 2026 the government announced a higher transfer tax for non-EU buyers (15% instead of 3%). It was not yet law in October 2026.

A temporary rule here is due to end or change around January 1, 2027. Check the official source for the latest.

• Foreigners can't hold freehold land.
• Foreigners with immigration documents can own one house on a right-of-use title (Hak Pakai) or an apartment unit, above a minimum price set by each province.

• There are no restrictions on non-residents or foreigners buying.
• Stamp duty is the same for everyone: 1% up to €1 million, 2% up to €1.5 million and 6% above that.

• EU citizens and foreigners legally living in Italy can buy freely.
• Other non-EU buyers can buy if their country lets Italians buy property there (reciprocity). The notary checks this.
• Every buyer needs an Italian tax code (codice fiscale).

• There are no limits on foreign ownership: foreigners get full freehold title.
• Since 1 April 2026, non-residents must report a purchase to the Ministry of Finance within 20 days.

• Every purchase by a foreigner needs state approval, and each state sets a minimum price (RM1 million in Kuala Lumpur).
• Since 1 January 2026, foreign buyers pay a flat 8% stamp duty on homes.

• Within 50 km of the coast and 100 km of the borders, foreigners buy through a renewable bank trust (fideicomiso), with a permit from the Foreign Affairs ministry.
• Elsewhere, foreigners can own directly after signing an agreement with the ministry.

• Since 2018, most overseas buyers can't buy existing homes without consent under the Overseas Investment Act. People with a residence-class visa who have lived in New Zealand for 12 months (and 183+ days) may qualify as residents.
• Australian and Singaporean citizens are exempt and can buy most homes without consent.
• Since 6 March 2026, Active Investor Plus visa holders (and Investor 1 and 2 visa holders) can apply to buy or build one home worth more than NZ$5 million.

• Foreigners can't own land.
• Foreigners can own condominium units, but foreign ownership is capped at 40% of each project.

• Foreigners can buy property freely.
• Buying property no longer qualifies for the Golden Visa (since October 2023). Other investment routes remain.

• Foreigners pay 60% Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty on any home, on top of normal stamp duty (since 27 April 2023).
• Under trade agreements, nationals of the USA, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein can apply to be treated like citizens for this duty.
• Foreigners can buy private condominiums. Landed homes need government approval, and public (HDB) flats aren't available to foreigners.

• There are no restrictions on non-residents buying homes.
• When a non-resident sells for more than R2 million, the buyer withholds part of the price for tax (7.5% for an individual seller).

• Foreigners, including non-EU buyers, can buy freely and pay the same regional transfer tax as residents (usually 6–10%).
• The golden visa ended on 3 April 2025: buying property no longer gives residency.
• A proposed tax of up to 100% on purchases by non-EU non-residents had not become law as of October 2026.

• Under the Lex Koller law, people living abroad need cantonal permission to buy a home, and can usually buy only holiday homes in approved areas, within quotas.
• EU/EFTA nationals living in Switzerland and holders of a C permit can buy like Swiss citizens.
• A tightening of the law was under consultation in 2026 and was not yet law in October 2026.

• Foreigners generally can't own land.
• Foreigners can own condominium units, but foreign ownership is capped at 49% of each building's floor area.
• Leases can be registered for up to 30 years.

• Most foreign nationals can buy property. Some military and security zones are off-limits.
• Turkish citizenship through property needs at least US$400,000, kept for 3 years.

• Foreigners can buy freehold property in designated areas, for example Downtown, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Rules differ by emirate.
• Dubai charges a one-off 4% transfer fee. There's no yearly property tax for individuals.
• Property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify for a 10-year golden visa.

• Anyone can buy. In England and Northern Ireland, non-UK residents pay an extra 2% Stamp Duty Land Tax on top of the normal rates.
• Buying an additional home costs 5 percentage points more in Stamp Duty. With the non-resident surcharge, the top slice can be taxed at 19%.
• Scotland and Wales have their own property taxes and no non-resident surcharge.

• There's no national ban on foreigners buying homes.
• When a foreign owner sells, the buyer usually withholds 15% of the price for tax (FIRPTA). Lower rates apply to some homes the buyer will live in.
• Some states restrict buyers from certain countries, for example Florida and Texas for people domiciled in China and a few other countries. Check the rules in the state where you're buying.