Real Estate Law · European Union
Invest in Foreign Property Without the Cross-Border Blind Spots
Buying property in a country you don’t live in combines two hard things: a foreign legal system and an investment that has to perform. We match you, free of charge, with a property lawyer who handles cross-border purchases in your target country, so the tax, ownership and exit questions are answered before your money leaves home.
- Cross-border tax and ownership reviewed
- Investment and exit structured correctly
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
A foreign purchase is two transactions in one — and the second one is the one people forget
Foreign property investment means buying real estate in a country other than your own, whether for rental income, capital growth, a holiday home or eventual resale. It is genuinely different from buying at home because you are dealing with two legal systems at once: the destination country’s rules on ownership, title and tax, and your home country’s rules on the money you put in and the returns you take out. Each side has its own requirements, and they rarely line up neatly — foreign buyers often face restrictions on what they can own or where, different lending terms, and tax obligations in both jurisdictions that must be coordinated to avoid paying twice or missing a filing. The exit matters as much as the entry: how you will eventually sell, and what that triggers in tax and repatriation of funds, should be worked out before you buy, not after. A lawyer who handles cross-border transactions connects these two halves into one coherent plan.
Where foreign investors get burned
The purchase goes smoothly in one country,
and the problems land in the other.
Two tax systems, two sets of ownership rules and a language barrier make a foreign purchase easy to get wrong — and expensive to unwind.
Double taxation and missed filings
Rental income, capital gains and wealth can be taxable in both the home and destination country, and missing a filing in either can trigger penalties. Coordinating the two is specialist work most buyers skip until it’s too late.
Ownership restrictions you didn’t know about
Some countries restrict or regulate foreign ownership of certain property, or the routes available for holding it. Buying without checking can leave you with an asset you can’t legally hold in the way you planned.
No plan for the exit
Investors fixate on the purchase and forget the sale. How you’ll sell, what tax it triggers, and how you repatriate the proceeds should be structured in advance — discovering the answer at the point of sale is the most expensive way to find out.
What you get
A cross-border lawyer who joins the two halves together
We only match you with lawyers who handle foreign purchases and cross-border investment structures in your target country.
Cross-border tax review
The tax treatment in both the destination and your home country is identified and coordinated, so you know your real return and meet your filing obligations in both jurisdictions.
Ownership structuring
Whether to buy personally, through a company or another vehicle is assessed against your investment goals, liability and the destination country’s rules for foreign buyers.
Due diligence and title
The property, its title and any restrictions on foreign ownership are investigated before you commit, so the investment rests on verified facts rather than a brochure.
Exit and repatriation planned
How you will eventually sell and move the proceeds home — and the tax each step triggers — is worked out in advance, so the investment unwinds as cleanly as it begins.
Coverage
Foreign investment lawyers across Europe
Property and tax law is national, and the rules for foreign buyers differ in every country, so the right lawyer is one who works on cross-border purchases in your target market. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Foreign property investment — common questions
Can a foreigner buy property in Europe?
In most European countries, yes, though the rules vary — some nations restrict or regulate foreign ownership of certain types of property, and non-residents often face different lending and tax treatment. A lawyer in the destination country can confirm exactly what applies to you.
What taxes will I pay on a foreign property?
This depends on both countries involved. You may face purchase taxes in the destination country and, in your home country, tax on rental income, capital gains or the asset itself. Coordinating the two — and claiming any relief under double-taxation treaties — is best handled by a lawyer or tax adviser before you buy.
Should I hold the property personally or through a company?
It depends on your goals, your country of residence and the destination country’s rules. A company can offer tax or liability advantages in some cases but adds cost and compliance, and some countries restrict corporate foreign ownership. A lawyer can advise on the best structure for your situation.
What should I check before investing abroad?
The title and any restrictions on foreign ownership, the property’s legal and planning status, the tax treatment in both countries, and how you will eventually sell and repatriate the proceeds. Doing this before you commit is far cheaper than discovering a problem afterwards.
How do I avoid being taxed twice?
Many countries have double-taxation agreements that determine where income and gains are taxed and allow relief in the other country. Applying them correctly requires a clear picture of both jurisdictions, which a lawyer or tax adviser can provide.
What should I plan for when I eventually sell?
The sale may trigger capital gains tax in one or both countries, and repatriating the proceeds can have its own reporting obligations. Structuring the exit in advance — including who holds the property and how — helps ensure the investment unwinds as tax-efficiently as possible.
Free case review
See the whole picture before you invest
Tell us about the country and property you’re considering and we’ll connect you with a cross-border property lawyer there — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.