First came the mobile phones, then the banks and discount retailers. Now, property companies are training their sights on frontier Africa, attracted by growing stability and wealth, a huge population and the world’s fastest rates of urbanisation. The poorest continent is still strewn with pitfalls, not least corruption, woeful infrastructure and haphazard laws that can make securing “clean” title deeds on a plot of land an arduous process.

The wide variety of legal codes found in...

With the current world economic climate as it is, many people are asking the question ‘is it the right time to be buying a property abroad’?  The answer to this question is definitely yes.  And here is why.

With stock markets in turmoil, banks offering no real interest on savings and stagnant home markets, Italy can offer good opportunities for the longer term investment.

Mortgages for both purchase and renovation are readily available to foreign buyers at excellent rates....

China’s government pledged in March that farmers would get more reimbursements on medical bills and eight million more city dwellers would be covered under its universal healthcare insurance scheme. Below are details on how far China’s healthcare reforms, which began in the countryside in 2003 and in cities in 2006, have come.

Overall pledges
China gave reforms an additional boost in 2009 with an injection of $124bn to cover three years (2009-2011). Those ref...

Even if the uprisings in North Africa stop now, it could take a very long time before people seriously start thinking again about buying in emerging markets such as Morocco, Tunisia or Egypt’s Red Sea. So where else do you buy now that lies within two and a half hours flying time of London?

Those from the UK and colder climes looking for a home in the Mediterranean sunshine are realising now more than ever that Spain and France are more attractive investments.

Both are safe, p...

When people first decide to emigrate they often labour over the buying and moving costs but many don’t always consider the day-to-day living expenses. This can make quite a difference to your lifestyle – to where you live and how you live.

Before you set out on your exciting journey, spend some time investigating how much things cost. You should consider the following:

Food In many countries food can be costly in the main cities or tourist areas; however, it is usually much ...

Situated between the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, Hong Kong is a multi-faceted, cultural hub as a result of being both inherently Chinese and under previous governance by the British Empire. It is a major hub in East Asia and a unique destination that has absorbed people and influences from places as diverse as India, Vietnam and Australia and occupies a place as one of the world’s major cities despite its relatively small size. While now part of China, the former colony continues...

Like most things in life, it takes a certain amount of courage to actually do the things we want to do, particularly those that fall outside of our comfort zone. Buying a property abroad is no exception to this rule.

When we bought our derelict farm house in Umbria over 10 years ago, there certainly weren’t the amount of estate agents, developers and property finders offering the level of support and advice that there are now.

With the internet faster than ever, newsagent’s ...

Switzerland has always been attractive for tourists, travellers and those who want to have a home abroad. There are a large range of activities such as skiing, sailing, surfing, golf, mountain biking, hiking, city tours and museums. Non-Swiss citizens have always been keen to acquire Swiss real estate.

Switzerland has always had a very stable economy, even in a world market that has been shaky of late. It is a haven of social stability and economic growth.

Real estate prices in ...

Moving abroad can be a daunting prospect but once the hurdle is overcome, can also reveal the joys of a stress-free lifestyle. After all your health is an important thing, but what healthcare rights do you retain if you choose to move abroad? Kim Brown provides the answers:

I am assuming that this person means funding by the British National Health Service and this being the case, the quick answer is “none”. Once you leave the UK to reside...