Why 2026 Is the Perfect Time to Buy Property Abroad

My clients often say the same thing: "I never thought this was for me." And then they buy an apartment in Alicante or a studio with a sea view in Antalya — and a year later they can't imagine it any other way. In 2026, buying property abroad has stopped being a privilege reserved for the few. That's probably the most interesting shift I've seen in eight years of working in this industry.

The sunshine does something to you — and I mean that seriously

When I moved to Spain in 2025, I knew the climate would be different. I didn't know it would be this different. Over 300 sunny days a year isn't a line from a travel brochure — it genuinely changes your mood, your energy levels, and over time, your whole outlook on life.

The Costa Blanca has an average annual temperature of 18–19°C. Winters are mild, summers are warm, and in between — a long, quiet spring and a golden autumn. Cyprus goes even further: 340 days of sunshine a year and the warmest winter in all of Europe. Antalya in Turkey offers a Mediterranean climate that's simply pleasant for most of the year. Dubai? Sunshine all year round, no exceptions.

The expats I speak to all say the same thing: they hadn't realised how much the lack of sun had been weighing on them for years — until they spent their first winter somewhere new. It sounds obvious, but your body and mind respond to light far more powerfully than you'd expect.

Numbers that are hard to ignore

Have you ever wondered whether buying property abroad actually makes financial sense — not just emotional sense? Over the past five years, the market has given a pretty clear answer.

In popular coastal regions of Spain, property values have risen by an average of 25–35%. In Cyprus — steady growth of 15–20% in key locations. Dubai has been the most dynamic: prices in desirable neighbourhoods have gone up by 40–50%. Turkey is growing too, particularly in tourist regions.

But resale value is only one side of the story. A well-located apartment can generate rental income of 5–8% per year. That means you could buy a flat in Alicante, spend every winter there, rent it out to tourists during the summer months — and use that rental income to cover your running costs.

Then there's diversification — a property in another country and another currency simply carries different risk to assets back home. In times of inflation, that's an argument worth taking seriously.

A lifestyle that reshapes your priorities

The era of remote work has opened doors that simply didn't exist before. If you can work from a laptop, the question "where do you work?" suddenly becomes "where do you want to live?" That's a fundamental shift.

Health and everyday activity

A warm climate naturally shortens the distance between the sofa and actually doing something. Golf, tennis, daily walks along the shore, swimming — these stop being holiday plans and just become Tuesday. My clients who've bought property on the Costa Blanca regularly tell me they've lost weight, sleep better and get ill less often. It might not show up on a spreadsheet, but in real life — it counts for a lot.

Culture, food and new connections

Living in Turkey or Dubai is something else entirely compared to a week's holiday. You start to understand the rhythm of a place, discover food beyond the tourist restaurants, build real relationships with your neighbours. It's an investment in experience that simply can't be measured in euros and cents.

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Retirement in the sun — and it's not just a figure of speech

One of the fastest-growing groups among my clients is people in their 50s and early 60s who are planning ahead for retirement. And I have to say — it's a very sensible approach.

In many parts of Spain and Turkey, you can live comfortably for less than in a major Polish city. Access to healthcare — often excellent quality and at reasonable prices — is no longer the barrier it once was. In popular locations, thriving Polish communities help you navigate the paperwork and make sure you don't feel like a stranger. And back home? Just a 2–3 hour flight away.

Someone who buys an apartment in Barcelona today with retirement in mind ten years from now isn't just waiting — they're already making the most of that investment. They visit for long weekends, rent it out during peak season, and in a decade they have a ready-made home without the stress of searching at exactly the wrong moment.

Four countries, four very different answers to the same question

I often hear clients say: "I want something abroad." And straight away I ask: but what does that actually mean to you? Because Spain, Cyprus, Turkey and Dubai are four completely different worlds — and each one answers a different set of needs.

Spain — everyday European life in the sunshine

For those who value culture, history and Mediterranean calm. The Costa Blanca, Barcelona, the Costa del Sol — every region has its own character. As someone who lives in Spain, I'll put it plainly: you don't feel like an emigrant here. You feel like someone who made a good decision.

Cyprus — stability and English thrown in

An ideal place for families and investors who value security and predictability. English as a widely spoken language takes away a good chunk of the stress that comes with settling in somewhere new. Add beautiful beaches and a stable economy to the mix.

Turkey — the Orient, history and prices that genuinely impress

I've been to Antalya several times and it surprises me every single time. A blend of European infrastructure with an oriental atmosphere and history you simply can't manufacture. The Turkish Riviera offers a standard that would cost considerably more in most other countries.

Dubai — the logic of tomorrow's metropolis

Dubai is a conversation of its own. Modernity, pace, energy — and property value growth of 40–50% over five years in the right neighbourhoods. For clients looking for a dynamic investment in a global city, this is a market that's very hard to overlook.