Top 5 countries where real estate investment pays off in 2025

Investing in real estate is a way to earn a steady income. Let's look at why the countries in our Top 5 appeal to investors - and how, in some of them, property can open the door to a second citizenship.

5. Cyprus 🇨🇾

Cyprus is home to one of the largest property markets in the world. Its economy is expected to grow by 3.5% in 2024, a rise that should push demand for real estate investment even higher.

4. Panama 🇵🇦

Thanks to its location, Panama remains one of the wealthiest countries in Latin America - a state with a solid, growing economy and a secure property market.

3. Uruguay 🇺🇾

Uruguay is a peaceful South American nation untouched by armed conflict. It is a small country, so upheavals in the global economy leave it largely unaffected. Property investment here is both profitable and safe.

2. UAE 🇦🇪

The UAE boasts some of the most prestigious buildings and skyscrapers on the planet. Luxury real estate serves as a safe haven for investors, with prices holding steady even during economic downturns.

1. Turkey 🇹🇷

With a resilient economy and a vast choice of properties, Turkey has become a favourite destination for international investors. Market prices are rising by 15-20% a year.

Turkey also offers the chance to obtain citizenship through real estate investment in as little as 2 to 12 months - earning a strong passport with visa-free access to 118 countries.

What has changed by 2026

• Turkey. Citizenship by property starts at $400,000 with an undertaking not to sell for 3 years, and takes 6-8 months. A residence permit based on owning a home, for purchases since 16 October 2023, requires a value of at least $200,000 per a licensed valuer's report.
• UAE. The 10-year golden visa requires property from 2 million dirhams (about $544,600). From 29 April 2026 the Dubai Land Department dropped the 750,000-dirham threshold for the 2-year residence permit of a sole owner of a completed home.
• Cyprus. Permanent residence for new property from €300,000 plus VAT (about $336,200) and income from €50,000 a year. Citizenship by investment has been closed since 2020, and stamp duty on contracts was abolished from 1 January 2026.
• Panama. Under the decree of 8 September 2026, the investor residence permit is granted for a new build from $300,000 or a resale home from $500,000.
• Uruguay. There is no visa for buying property, and residence is available without investment. A purchase above 3.5 million indexed units (about $577,300) plus 60 days in the country a year gives tax residence.

Five countries compared in 2026

Exchange rates: $1.12 per euro and 3.6725 dirhams per dollar in early October 2026.

Owner taxes and rental income

• UAE: no annual tax on homes, and an individual's income from renting out their property is not taxed. Service charges reduce the yield, so count them before buying.
• Turkey: property tax of 0.1-0.6% a year, higher in the big cities; no tax on the gain after 5 years of ownership, 15% to 40% before that.
• Uruguay: rental income and sale gains are taxed at 12% for residents and non-residents alike.
• Panama: a main home up to $120,000 is exempt from the annual tax, and other property above $30,000 is taxed at 0.6% to 1%.
• Cyprus: if you hold the property through a Cypriot company, it pays 15% corporate tax from 2026.

Which country suits whom

• A second passport through a purchase: Turkey.
• Tax-free income and a long residence permit: the UAE.
• EU status for the family: Cyprus.
• Residence in a dollar economy with access to both Americas: Panama.
• A calm jurisdiction to preserve capital: Uruguay.

We calculate yield after taxes, fees and management costs, not from a developer's brochure.

How to avoid mistakes when buying

• in Dubai, pay for off-plan homes only into the project's escrow account and check its registration with the Land Department;
• in Turkey, check in advance whether the district is open to new residence permits for foreigners: closed districts are reviewed;
• in Cyprus, only a new property from a developer qualifies for residence, and the money must come from abroad;
• in Panama, foreigners cannot own land within 10 kilometres of the borders with Colombia and Costa Rica;
• everywhere, the bank and notary will refuse the deal if the source of funds cannot be documented.

We select and check a property for your goal in the Property abroad section.

FAQ