The 8 best places to buy land in the world as a Brit

Dreaming of building your own home in a sun-soaked destination? Perhaps you’re retiring or simply considering a fresh start for the whole family in a new county. Alternatively, you may be looking to invest in land to develop, so you can either rent or sell it.

In this guide, we’ll run through some of the best places to buy land in the world as a Brit. We’ll look at average land prices along with how easy it is for foreigners to buy property in each country.

If you need a reliable and cost-effective way to send and receive large sums internationally, consider the money services provider Wise. With low, transparent fees*, great mid-market exchange rates, and secure, trackable transfers, Wise makes international money transfers simple and stress-free.

Plus, you’ll get dedicated support and volume discounts when sending large amounts.

Get expert support for your large transfer 📞

Things to consider when buying land abroad

Buying land abroad can be challenging, with lots of complex rules and conditions to get to grips with. Here are just a few of the key things to consider before starting your search:

• Local rules, planning permission regulations and zoning laws which outline how plots of land can be used (i.e. agricultural, commercial or residential) and what you’re allowed to build there
• Due diligence is crucial, especially when it comes to checking the validity of title deeds and researching whether there are any claims or conditions on the land
• Environmental and geological surveys, which can detect risks from floods, wildfire and soil contamination.
• Access to infrastructure and public services, such as power, sewage and water.

It’s strongly recommended to seek professional advice - ideally, from an expert in the country’s real estate and land laws, who speaks the local language.

8 of the best places to buy land in the world as a Brit

You’ll have lots of things to consider when searching for the perfect plot in a great location. But a big part of your decision will be cost.

Below are some of the main costs to consider - the average cost of land (prices often based on agricultural land) and average buyer’s fees.

Spain

Spain is a hugely popular spot for British expats, retirees, developers and investors looking to buy land. It’s easy to see why, from the warm Mediterranean climate to the booming holiday market, plus the relatively short 2.5 hour flight from the UK.

It’s pretty straightforward for foreigners to buy land in Spain, as there aren’t any special rules or requirements in place at the moment. All you’ll need is a Spanish tax ID number known as a Número de Identificación de Extranjeros (NIE).

You’ll also need to make sure your plot has urban planning permission, for which you’ll need the services of a professional architect.

A word of warning though - the Spanish government is considering introducing a new 100% property tax for non-EU buyers, so you’ll need to check whether this will apply to purchases of land as well as real estate.

For info on build costs, read our guide to building a house in Spain.

Ireland

Just a short hop over the Irish Sea, Ireland is another popular place for Brits looking to buy land.

One of the main draws are the low fees for buyers, as well as the lack of restrictions for UK citizens on owning land or property.

When searching for a plot, you’ll need to check its zoning status - residential, commercial, industrial or mixed. You’ll also need to see if there’s any planning permission in place, or if there are restrictions on what you can build there.

Want to buy a home instead? Read our guide to buying property in Ireland.

France

Being so close to the UK, France is the ideal choice for a second or holiday home. It’s also a common choice for retirees and expats, as well as British investors looking for development opportunities.

There are no restrictions on foreigners buying plots of land (known as terrain à bâtir) in France, but the process can be complicated if you’re not a resident - especially when it comes to navigating local planning laws and French building codes. You’ll need to make sure your chosen plot is zoned for construction, which will involve contacting the local town hall.

Read our guide to building a house in France.

Portugal

The process of buying land in Portugal is fairly straightforward for foreigners, but you’ll need to get yourself a local tax number known as a Número de Identificação Fiscal or NIF.

It’s also recommended to work with local professionals to carry out due diligence into title deeds and starting the process of getting planning permission. Your first port of call will be the town call (camara) to see the licenca de utilizacao - this shows you how the land is categorised, and if it’s protected (so can’t be built on).

If you’d find it easier to buy rather than build, read our guide to buying property in Portugal.

Greece

Greece is a hugely attractive place for Brits looking to build retirement or holiday homes, as well as holiday rentals and investment properties. It’s relatively cheap in terms of land prices and buyer’s fees, although it depends where in the country you’re looking.

However, the process of buying land as a foreigner can be a little complicated - compared to the process for EU citizens. You may need to prove your connection to the country and your intent for the use of the property, through an application to the Greek Ministry of Defence.

For more info, read our guide to buying property in Greece.

Turkey

Turkey is one of the cheapest places on our list to buy both land and property, so you could make a relatively small budget go pretty far.

Foreigners are allowed to buy property there with minimal restrictions, although there is a risk of scams and frauds so you’ll need to do your due diligence and take sensible precautions.

Turkey also has a Golden Visa scheme, where you can actually get citizenship through investing at least $400,000 USD (or the equivalent in Turkish lira or foreign currency) in real estate - and this includes plots of land. ¹¹

Italy

It may not be the cheapest place to buy land - and buyer’s fees are also not the cheapest - but Italy is likely to remain popular with Brits for the foreseeable future. The climate, food and drink, beautiful landscapes and vibrant cities are all part of the country’s attractions, as well as its proximity from the UK.

Foreigners and non-EU citizens can buy land there, as long as they have an Italian tax number (codice fiscale).

To find a plot, you’ll need to look for a lotti (building plot) on land that is terreno edificabile (building land) not terreno agricolo (agricultural land). To build there, you’ll need a concessione dell’edificabilità (building permit).

Read our guides to buying property in Italy and the cost of building a house there.

United States

Dreaming of retiring to the US, or moving there for work or business? If you have family there, buying land and building your own home could be a smart move - especially since buyer fees tend to be relatively low.

Foreigners can buy land in the US, but it’s important to check state laws relating to use of the land and conditions on land ownership. You’ll also need the relevant visa if you’re planning to live on any property you build.

Read our guide to buying property in the US.

Save on currency conversion fees with Wise when buying land abroad

Need a secure, convenient and low-cost way to send large sums of money abroad? Take a look at the Wise account from the money services provider Wise. It's not a bank account but offers some similar features and your money is safeguarded.

With Wise, you can send large amount transfers worldwide to 140+ countries for low, transparent fees* and you’re guaranteed the mid-market exchange rate with no markup.

✅ Sign up with Wise for free

**Capital at risk. In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets — this is the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised as an investment firm and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA number is 839689. We do not give investment advice, and you may be subject to pay tax. If you're not sure, seek qualified advice. You can find more information about the funds on our website.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 11-Jun-2025