Ready to hit the ‘go’ button and make 2026 the year you buy an overseas property or relocate? Perhaps you’re all set to take this exciting step in the New Year, but still not sure where exactly you want your home abroad to be. Maybe you know the country and not the area or resort, or you might not have decided on a country.
So if you’re still open to ideas, we’ve picked seven overseas property destinations to consider. We tell you why we think the next year or two make them exciting places to purchase a property or make your permanent home. Price guides are an indication only – they’re a ballpark for budgeting, but there will be always be cheaper and more expensive options.
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Crete, Greece
Why now? All being well, the opening of Crete’s new Heraklion international airport in 2027 should be a major boost for the island. It’s located 35 minutes inland from the island’s capital, home to the existing Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport, at a place called Kastelli. Once at full capacity, it should boost annual passenger numbers to circa 15-18 million from the current 8-10 million. It will also improve year-round connectivity, including during winter months. Why not bag a home in Crete in 2026, so you’re ready to enjoy the benefits from the get-go?
Property spots Head inland to the villages or rustic villa plots for the real deals. In the east, upmarket Mirabello Bay is the island’s most expensive area. In the west, the Chania, Rethymnon and Apokoronas areas are popular for unspoilt beaches and traditional villages.
Property prices From €200,000 for small villas away from prime seafront areas. Luxury modern villas, €500,000 upwards. Apartments and older homes from €150,000.
Portes du Soleil, French and Swiss Alps
Why now? An option for outdoorsy and nature lovers. The world’s second biggest ski area, Portes du Soleil is backing itself as a year-round mountain destination and the next few years are pivotal. This year three key resorts there – Morzine, Avoriaz and Les Gets – announced long-term investment plans worth over €200m collectively. Large chunks of this will go towards developing four seasons amenities, such as bike lifts, trails, leisure areas and sports complexes, according to reports.
The strategy for winter tourism has shifted to improving lift connectivity to the highest, most snow-sure areas, as opposed to battling against poor snow on the lower slopes. Ahead of the curve in the evolution of modern mountain resorts, a savvy purchase here in 2026 could pay dividends for decades to come.
Property spots Straddling the Swiss and French Alps, the area includes 12 resorts of varying size and altitude. Morzine, a traditional mountain town, and purpose-built Avoriaz have the most amenities, activities and choice of property. Chatel and Les Gets, both fairly low, aren’t far behind.
Property prices Older one-bedroom apartments start circa €300,000, or €450,000 for new. Chalets and large apartments from €600,000, reaching over €2m.
Cyprus
Why now? Cyprus is set to join the Schengen Area by the end of 2026. This will make travel around Europe easier for resident foreigners living on the island, as they will enjoy visa-free travel within the Area. More broadly, it is a positive development that cements Cyprus’s EU membership and makes the island more attractive to international relocators and investors.
Meanwhile, 2026 will be final year you could benefit from Cyprus’s favourable 5% VAT rate on qualifying new-build properties. It allows certain properties (depending on planning permit dates) to attract 5% VAT on up to 200 square metres, with no limits on the value of the property. Applications for eligible properties need to be submitted by 15 June, 2026. New, less favourable rules for VAT on new-builds are already running concurrently.
Property spots Paphos, both city and district, is popular with expats in the west, while Larnaca and Famagusta are slightly more affordable areas in the east. Limassol is a modern, urban option in the centre of the island.
Property prices From €175,000 for resale apartments, €275,000 for townhouses and small houses, €450,000 for new villas, with prices reaching €2million upwards.
Costa Blanca, Spain
Why now? A firm favourite with British and European homeowners, the Costa Blanca ticks so many boxes. Great value property, affordable living costs, year-round sun, pedestrian-friendly resorts and lots of expat communities – can it get much better? In fact, buying there will get cheaper in 2026.
Following reforms announced by the Valencian regional government, tax cuts will be phased in across the region. In June 2026 transfer tax (ITP) payable on resale property purchases (less than €1m) will drop to 9% from 10%. At the same time, stamp duty will be reduced to 1.4% from 1.5%. There will also be reductions to inheritance tax, while wealth tax thresholds will rise.
Reaching your Costa Blanca home is set to get even easier too. A huge expansion of Alicante Airport is due to begin in 2027 and will include a dedicated terminal for non-Schengen citizens.
Property spots The flatter, more densely developed southern half includes Orihuela Costa with its large, expat-friendly communities and busy proms. The greener, more scenic north has more traditional resorts, as well as larger, high-rise spots like Benidorm and Calpe.
Property prices Resale two-bedroom apartments from €150,000 (€220,000 new), townhouses from €225,000 and villas from €300,000.
Lagos, Portugal
Why now? Not for the first time, Portugal’s Algarve has just been crowned the World’s Leading Beach Destination at the acclaimed 2025 World Travel Awards. It beat the likes of the Maldives, Seychelles and Thailand.
A hub in the western Algarve, Lagos offers fabulous local beaches – but that’s not the only reason it’s an exciting overseas property destination in 2026. It’s a compact, lively city with a rich maritime history and access to a sunny metropolitan lifestyle. Highlights include a charming old town, stunning waterfront prom and world-class marina. Championship golf courses are a few minutes away, as is stunning clifftop scenery.
Increasing numbers of expats, in particular Americans, are choosing Lagos over other corners of the Algarve and the area is thriving. And they just announced Formula 1 is returning to Portugal in 2027 and will be held 30 minutes away at the Portimao Racetrack. Exciting times ahead!
Property options For the buzz and character of a city, apartments in or near the historic centre are popular. More residential areas close to the beach include Porto de Mos, Torraltinha or the Meia Praia area.
Property prices Resale apartments from €350,000 (€500,000 modern, new), €500,000 for townhouse, €600,000-€2m-plus for villas.
Puglia, Italy
Why now? Star of the south, Puglia is a jewel in Italy’s heel. It pairs a stunning coastline of white beaches, rocky outlets and charming cliffside towns with a countryside carpeted in vines and olive groves, dotted with historic towns. Sound like your ideal overseas property destination?
The icing on the cake? As a foreign retiree, you could live there and pay a flat rate of income tax of just seven per cent on all foreign-sourced income, including your pension. This a tax scheme the Italian government is continuing throughout 2026. Beneficiaries are also exempt from Italian wealth taxes on foreign assets (IVIE and IVAFE). The region expects a boost in 2026 from hosting the Mediterranean Games in Taranto – so resident and owners of property in Puglia can expect the area to be buzzing!
Property options The Itria Valley is popular for its rustic villas and character homes, including famous stone trulli. Historic towns and cities include Lecce, Ostuni or Monopoli, Gallipoli, Vieste and Polignano a Mare on the coast.
Property prices Older style flats and rustic villas start from €150,000. Refurbed/new villas/ character homes from €450,000. Luxury reformed country houses from €800,000.
Bordeaux and Gironde, France
Why now? Home to the wine capital of the world, namely Bordeaux, the Gironde department is nestled on France’s south-west Atlantic coastline. At its heart is the ancient estuary city of Bordeaux, straddling the Garonne river with stunning architecture and a UNESCO-listed centre.
The city and its metropolitan area have been enjoying a renaissance for the past few years, with restoration projects and improved infrastructure. It is now firmly on the map of relocating foreigners and families, including Americans. Transport to Bordeaux is improving in 2026, with the launch of a London-Bordeaux TGV service and new flights from the UK (Wizz Air) complementing its current carriers (easyJet, BA, BA Euroflyer). It’s a city on the up, with superb wine and easy access to beaches, vineyards and stunning countryside. Could you want more?
Property options Period apartments are the go-to in Bordeaux city-centre, but families might prefer townhouses in a more residential neighbourhood. Villages in the surrounding Gironde countryside have plenty of rural character homes, many with vineyard views!
Property prices In Bordeaux, small central pieds-à-terre from around €400,000, large period townhouses upwards of €1m. In rural Gironde, typical (reformed) stone houses from €400,000, or €150,00 for an older village home needing attention.
