The buying-abroad glossary
Twenty terms that appear in every overseas purchase, in plain language. Each city page uses these consistently.
A residence permit granted for a qualifying investment, classically property. Greece (from 250k euros in select areas) and Cyprus-style PR routes remain; Spain and Portugal ended theirs.
A residence permit for remote workers paid from abroad. Income thresholds, not nationality, are the usual filter.
The Schengen visitor clock: 90 days in any rolling 180-day window across the whole zone, however many countries you visit.
Outright ownership of property and the right to sell, rent and pass it on. What most buyers assume they are getting, and should confirm.
In the Gulf, a designated area where foreigners may own freehold. Outside them, ownership is restricted or leasehold.
Ownership for a fixed term rather than forever. Standard for foreigners in Vietnam (50 years renewable) and common in Thailand for land.
Spain's transfer tax on resale property (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales), typically 6 to 10 percent by region.
Portugal's property transfer tax, on a sliding scale that rises with price.
UK Stamp Duty Land Tax; overseas buyers pay a 2 percent surcharge on top of standard bands.
The Turkish title deed. Checking it (and any debts registered on it) is the single most important step in a Turkish purchase.
Dubai Land Department transfer fee, 4 percent of price, the main transaction cost in Dubai.
The official recorded value of a property, used for tax calculations in Spain and Italy; often far below market price.
The Spanish municipal register. Registering (empadronamiento) is the first paperwork step of actually living in a Spanish town.
Spain's non-lucrative visa: residence for people with passive income who will not work in Spain.
Portugal's passive-income visa (D7) and digital nomad visa (D8), the two main residence routes since the golden visa ended.
Thailand's Destination Thailand Visa: five years, multi-entry, aimed at remote workers and long-stay visitors.
Malaysia My Second Home: a long-stay visa programme with financial requirements and a property purchase element.
A registered right to use and enjoy a property owned by someone else; appears in Thai and European structures.
A regulated account holding buyer payments until conditions are met. Dubai requires it for off-plan; its absence elsewhere is a risk flag.
Gross yield is annual rent over price. Net yield subtracts fees, taxes, voids and management, and is always lower. Plan on net.