Top 10 Luxury Places to Buy Real Estate in the World (Foreign-Buyer Edition)

Luxury property is no longer just about a beautiful home—it’s a blend of wealth preservation, lifestyle, legal certainty, and (in many cases) residency optionality. Prime markets have stayed surprisingly resilient through higher rates, with Savills noting that prime residential values and rents “remained resilient” across many world cities, and that rental growth has often outpaced price growth in the recent cycle.

Below are ten of the most compelling luxury destinations for international buyers right now, with the “why,” the foreign-buyer angles, and the key risks to price in.

1) Dubai, UAE (Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills)

Why it’s top-tier: Dubai has positioned itself as a global hub for entrepreneurs and mobile wealth, with luxury stock that’s genuinely “new-world” (amenities, services, views, branded residences). Savills highlights Dubai as a standout for prime residential performance, with capital values up 6.8% and rents up 23.5% in 2024 (its report calls this “record-breaking” rent growth). (pdf.savills.com)
Foreign-buyer angles: Freehold areas, well-trodden buying process for overseas buyers, strong rental demand, and a globally recognisable lifestyle brand.
Watch-outs: Market cycles can move fast; do your homework on service charges, developer track record, and resale liquidity by building.

See the latest Homes for sale Dubai platform Homesgofast.com

2) Monaco (Monte-Carlo, Larvotto, Fontvieille)

Why it’s top-tier: The global shorthand for scarcity. Ultra-limited land supply plus a concentration of global wealth keeps pricing structurally supported.
Foreign-buyer angles: Safety, prestige, and proximity to the Côte d’Azur—often purchased as a base for Europe.
Watch-outs: Entry pricing is extreme and stock is thin; legal and tax planning should be done early and properly.

3) Singapore (Districts 9, 10, 11; Sentosa Cove)

Why it’s top-tier: Political stability, rule of law, and deep wealth infrastructure make Singapore a “safe harbour” city for capital. It’s also a regional HQ magnet.
Foreign-buyer angles: Best-in-class banking/wealth ecosystem and strong long-term demand drivers.
Watch-outs: Singapore is famous for buyer-cooling measures (including restrictions/extra duties for foreigners). Your purchase structure and timing matter.

4) London, UK (Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Kensington, Chelsea)

Why it’s top-tier: London remains a global “trophy” market with unmatched culture, schools, and global connectivity. Savills’ prime index continues to track London as one of the world’s key markets—though performance and sentiment can be sensitive to tax and policy shifts.
Foreign-buyer angles: Global liquidity, deep professional services, and huge choice across period homes and new-build prime.
Watch-outs: Transaction costs can be material; and tax/residency rules can change—get UK specialist advice before you buy.

5) New York City, USA (Manhattan; select Brooklyn waterfront)

Why it’s top-tier: NYC remains a global wealth and culture capital; trophy assets have enduring international appeal.
Foreign-buyer angles: Straightforward ownership for foreigners in many cases, vast inventory depth, and strong long-run rental demand in prime neighbourhoods.
Watch-outs: Building financials and co-op/condo rules vary dramatically—due diligence on board rules, reserves, and assessments is essential.

6) Paris, France (7th, 8th, 16th; Le Marais; Saint-Germain)

Why it’s top-tier: Paris blends global status with lifestyle, architecture, and constrained historic supply. Savills’ outlook includes Paris among the major global prime markets it monitors, reflecting its continued relevance for international capital.
Foreign-buyer angles: Strong second-home appeal, global rental demand, and brand value that travels well.
Watch-outs: Regulatory and tax complexity can catch foreign buyers off-guard; plan ownership and letting strategy before exchanging.

See my platform Europeanproperty.com

7) Zurich, Switzerland (Lake Zurich “Gold Coast”; city centre)

Why it’s top-tier: Switzerland’s stability is the product. Zurich pairs high incomes, global finance, and a long reputation for safe wealth storage. UBS notes Zurich among cities that can show high bubble-risk signals in some cycles, which is a reminder to buy for quality, not hype. (Spain)
Foreign-buyer angles: Safety, infrastructure, and long-term desirability.
Watch-outs: Switzerland can have restrictions on foreign second-home purchases depending on canton and property type—specialist advice is non-negotiable.

8) Miami, USA (Miami Beach; Brickell; Coconut Grove)

Why it’s top-tier: International demand, tax-friendly Florida, and a constant pipeline of luxury development have made Miami a serious global player.
Foreign-buyer angles: Lifestyle + flight connectivity + strong rental/seasonal demand.
Watch-outs: UBS places Miami at the top for bubble risk in its recent index—so underwriting matters (insist on conservative assumptions, and scrutinise insurance and HOA costs). (Spain)

9) Hong Kong (The Peak; Mid-Levels; Repulse Bay)

Why it’s top-tier: An iconic, supply-constrained vertical city where prime property has long served as a wealth store for regional buyers. Savills describes Hong Kong as the most expensive prime residential market on a per-square-foot basis in its world cities research.
Foreign-buyer angles: Deep market know-how and globally understood prime districts.
Watch-outs: Policy and macro conditions can influence liquidity; focus on best-in-class buildings and views, and price in higher volatility.

10) Sydney, Australia (Eastern Suburbs; Harbourfront)

Why it’s top-tier: Sydney is a lifestyle powerhouse with persistent high-end demand and limited premium coastal/harbour supply. Savills forecast Sydney among stronger performers in its world cities outlook.
Foreign-buyer angles: Internationally recognisable lifestyle, strong domestic wealth base, and high-quality neighbourhoods.
Watch-outs: Australia has foreign buyer rules and approval pathways; compliance and timelines matter.

A quick way to “stress-test” any luxury market (before you fall in love)

Legal certainty & title: rule of law, enforceability, condo/HOA governance.
Foreign buyer friction: purchase restrictions, additional duties, approval processes.
Currency + financing: FX swings can dwarf “market growth” in your home currency.
Liquidity within luxury: the best streets/buildings stay liquid; “near-prime” can freeze.
Bubble-risk signals: UBS’ framework looks for prices detaching from incomes/rents and credit/construction excess—use it as a reality check. (Spain)

And remember: cities that “blend investment freedom with lifestyle dividends” are increasingly competing for mobile capital—exactly the buyer profile driving prime markets. (Henley & Partners)