Overseas Housing Demand Surges: UAE and Greece Lead the Way

Overseas Housing Demand Surges: These Countries Were Preferred the Most

According to Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) balance of payments data, the amount paid by Turkish residents for overseas real estate purchases rose 26.2% year-on-year in the January–November 2025 period, reaching $2.423 billion — an all-time high. The peak monthly figure was $288 million in August, while the lowest was $144 million in January.

UAE, Greece, US and UK Markets Stand Out

GİGDER Chairman Bayram Tekçe noted that the strongest demand is concentrated in the UAE and Greece, highlighting Dubai's institutional, transparent real estate market and low-tax investment advantages. Greece, he explained, appeals through its Golden Visa program and tourism sector, offering short-term rental investment opportunities with EU residency and Schengen freedom of movement. He contrasted payback periods sharply: up to 30 years for rental properties in Turkey versus 12–15 years in Dubai. The US and UK remain perennial favorites, driven by USD/GBP-denominated income, residency pathways, and education opportunities.

Average Spend: €500,000

Tekçe noted that purchases under Golden Visa programs range between €250,000 and €1 million, with an average of €500,000. Buyers are gravitating toward centrally located, easily managed, newly built properties that require minimal renovation costs.

A 12-Fold Increase Since 2021

International real estate expert Burak Ustaoğlu put the growth into striking perspective: "The level that stood at $216 million in 2021 has now cumulatively exceeded $2.6 billion. This represents approximately a 12-fold increase in scale. The trend in overseas investment has risen extremely sharply."

Identifying three core motivations behind this growth, Ustaoğlu stated: "These are 'currency risk and asset diversification', 'return calculation', and 'life planning and visa/residency equation.' Along the Dubai–Athens–London corridor, we see demand beginning with investment and very quickly turning into a family relocation plan, while in Baku, more accessible budgets and regional mobility motivations are coming to the fore."

Could Exceed $6 Billion by 2026–2027

International real estate expert Özden Çimen projected that Turkish overseas housing expenditure could surpass $6 billion in the 2026–2027 period. Reminding that Turkish nationals rank in the top 10 among buyer nationalities in Dubai, Çimen noted that Turkish buyers tend to favor apartments over villas and are drawn to newly launched projects with installment payment options and high profit potential.

Source: Dünya – Read the Full Article