Where to buy abroad: the prime second-home property markets for 2025

Italy countryside 

The appeal of Italy shows no sign of abating, both thanks to its celebrated lifestyle and an appealing tax regime. Harvey advises looking at destinations in the north of the country, the foothills of the Alps and the Apennines where the topography cools summer temperatures and ensures the countryside stays attractively green. Interest is also keen in locations in and around Lucca, Florence, Milan and Lake Como.

“Italy presents a slightly more detailed route to property ownership than Spain for example but get a good adviser and allow time and you’ll find value and a superb lifestyle,” says Harvey. "Along with the flat tax regime which has brought high-net-worth individuals, Italy also has one of Europe’s lowest property transfer tax rates and no capital gains tax at all after five years of ownership, significant financial attractions that are often overlooked.”

Switzerland

Another gold plated location consistently providing a healthy, safe and sought after quality of life, Switzerland attracts wealthy buyers, but it is important to note that there are parts of the country that allow retirees or those with an EU passport to buy. Welcoming places to spend extended periods include the ski resort of Crans-Montana. It offers panoramic Alpine views – a top demand for Alpine home buyers - and year-round cultural life with skiing in winter and golf, hiking and biking in the summer.

Caribbean beaches

The strength of the US economy is having clear repercussions in the Caribbean where new flight routes from across the US eastern seaboard are bringing substantial numbers of North American tourists and buyers to islands they previously ignored. That includes Barbados and Mustique, both already well-established favourites with the UK market and both with a limited supply of properties for sale. The wonderfully varied islands of the Bahamas, from buzzy, built-up New Providence to the natural beauty of the Exumas, are a familiar destination with Canadians and Americans – Nassau is little over 60 minutes from Miami – and has direct flights from the UK.

“The Bahamas is a favourite with Europeans and an easy weekend destination for millions of Americans and it seems its popularity will only continue to grow,” says Harvey. “It provides warm weather fun, a tax-friendly jurisdiction and the scale of development happening there along with the wide choice of islands, means it has something for everyone. If the stock market continues to grow and investors become nervous about inflation, it is one of the obvious places that people will consider to park their money.”