The Spanish Inheritance and Donation Tax applies to donations and inheritances and has traditionally had different rules for EU and non-EU residents with non-EU residents unable to take advantage of advantageous Regional Laws.  Recent case law has challenged this different treatment.  B Law & Tax set out the implications. This article was written exclusively for...

The prospects for the Portugal property market in 2019 after a strong 2018 look encouraging.  This is despite the reduction in investment from British buyers. In 2008 60% of buyers on the Algarve originated from the UK and Ireland according to Knight Frank.  Demand from Britain has been in slight decline with the uncertainties over...

France has long attracted buyers from Britain as well as expats from around the world.  The market remains strong and we set out expectations for 2019. France is a destination with many attractions in a large and diverse country.   Whilst the north of France offers a climate that is similar to southern England the climate...

How do you buy property abroad safely? Many people are attracted to the idea of buying an investment property or second home abroad, maybe to allow them to retire abroad. How do you ensure that you buy the right property and minimise the potential risks involved? The number of people buying abroad fell after the...

According to Offshoreonline, the specialist expat and international mortgage broker, Brexit is creating an opportunity for expat and international investors in the UK market as the uncertainties are causing property price rises to slow and even reverse in some areas of the UK. Written by Offshoreonline for Expat Network Brexit is causing many UK property...

Skipton International, who provide buy-to-let mortgages for British expats in England, Wales and Scotland, has responded to the increasing demand for all types of investment buy-to-let property, by extending the terms of its mortgage proposition to include studio apartments valued at £250,000 and above. Broadening the scope of its lending criteria will offer Skipton’s customers...

If you are thinking about buying property in America, Florida is a popular area for property investors around the world.  Benoit Properties provide their guide to buying in Florida. Taken from an article by Benoit Properties For investors looking to purchase an asset which is stable, offers good returns, and is well located, Florida...

Investing in property in major cities can offer good returns but you need to avoid buying at the top of the market.  Benoit Properties look at the Bubble Risk of the markets around the world. Taken from an article by Benoit Properties When considering adding to your property portfolio, a major part of your...

Proposals to increase stamp duty for overseas purchasers of property will have an impact on the UK property market.  Benoit Properties set out the impact that they expect to see on foreign property investors. Taken from an article by Benoit Properties Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference, Theresa May announced plans for overseas purchasers...

Overseas mortgage specialist, Simon Conn, sees potential opportunities from reports that a number of British residents are leaving Spain. Spain’s National Statistics Institute’s provisional figures indicate a drop from 293,475 in 2017 to 285,698 in 2018. This follows a drop of 5,827 in 2017 over 2016.  With the uncertainties of Brexit it is likely that...

Real estate transfers in Spain can be subject to local Tax on the Increase in the Urban Land Value (“Impuesto sobre el Incremento de Valor de los Terrenos de Naturaleza Urbana” or “Plusvalía Municipal”). This mandatory municipal tax is levied on the increase disclosed in the value of urban land whenever urban land located in...

Even before you moved to Hong Kong, you may have heard about the highly unaffordable rent in the city, which always ranks top among the world’s most expensive housing markets. This perennial problem has become so extreme that a resident needs to spend 19.4 years without any other expenditure in order to be able to...