Field notes
Sharp, specific writing for foreign buyers.
In-depth guides on the laws, regulations, and quirks of buying property in the UK, France, Portugal, and Spain. No fluff, no agent fluff, no AI-generated SEO slop. Every article is fact-checked against primary sources.
The Spanish okupa law explained — a 2026 guide for foreign property buyers
Okupas, updated for Spain's 2025 anti-okupa law (Ley Orgánica 1/2025): the new 48-hour police removal route, the 15-20 day fast-track trial, which neighbourhoods stay highest-risk, and exactly how a foreign owner protects a property now that speed of detection is what matters.
Read article →AL (Alojamento Local) licences in Lisbon — what foreign buyers need to know in 2026
Mais Habitação, AL containment zones, Câmara de Lisboa freezes, IRS 6% on gross, IMI surcharges. A complete operating guide to Lisbon short-term rental as it stands in 2026.
Read article →The UK leasehold trap — a foreign buyer’s checklist for 2026
Why an 80-year lease costs £40,000 to fix. Ground rent doubling clauses, the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, EWS1 cladding gates, marriage value — and exactly what to ask before you offer on a flat.
Read article →France’s DPE rental ban — what every foreign buyer needs to know in 2026
DPE G properties banned from rental since January 2025. F class out in 2028, E in 2034. What this means if you’re buying an old Parisian apartment — and how much energy renovation actually costs.
Read article →Property tax for non-residents — UK vs France vs Spain vs Portugal compared (2026)
Annual property tax (council tax / taxe foncière / IBI / IMI), rental income tax, CGT on disposal, wealth tax, succession — for non-resident foreign owners across all four countries.
Read article →Buying property in Türkiye as a foreigner — a 2026 reality check
Tapu harcı 4%, ASKI military-zone check, DASK earthquake insurance, KDV on new-builds, the $400k citizenship threshold and why most foreigners buy cash. Everything you need before you sign a Türkiye property contract.
Read article →Türkiye citizenship by investment — the complete 2026 guide ($400k property route)
MK valuation, 3-year hold, eligible nationalities, family inclusion, passport timeline, Göç Idaresi process, exit strategy after 3 years. The definitive answer for foreign investors weighing the Turkish passport route.
Read article →Spain plusvalía municipal — the 2026 guide for non-resident sellers
Plusvalía municipal explained: when you owe it, how it's calculated post the 2021 Constitutional Court ruling, the two methods (objetivo vs real), how to challenge it, and the timeline. Critical reading for any non-resident selling Spanish property.
Read article →Portugal NIF and D7 visa for property buyers — the complete 2026 walkthrough
Why NIF matters before you sign anything, how to get one remotely vs in person, the D7 passive-income visa pathway, IFICI tax regime (the NHR replacement), and how it all stitches together for property buyers.
Read article →Greece Golden Visa 2026: the three-zone €250k / €400k / €800k guide
Greece replaced its flat €250k threshold with a three-zone system. Exactly what each tier costs, where it applies, the 120 m² single-property rule, the short-term-let ban, and the routes that still start at €250k.
Read article →Spain's 100% tax on non-EU property buyers: where it actually stands in 2026
The headline scared every non-EU buyer. The reality in 2026: the proposal has stalled in Congress, was never even debated, and faces opposition that makes the extreme version unlikely. What's real, what's not, and how to plan.
Read article →The real cost of buying property in Spain in 2026 — a non-resident's full breakdown
Beyond the asking price: budget 10–13% on top for tax and fees, plus the annual non-resident costs nobody mentions. ITP by region, notary, registry, legal, Modelo 210 — with a worked €400,000 Madrid example.
Read article →How to get a NIE number in Spain in 2026 — the step-by-step for foreign buyers
You cannot buy property, open a bank account or sign at the notary without a NIE. Here's exactly how to get one in 2026 — in Spain or at a consulate — the forms, the €12 fee, and the real bottleneck (the appointment).
Read article →Cheapest countries to buy property in Europe with residency in 2026 — and the catch
Bulgaria, Albania, Montenegro and Greece's lower zone still offer low entry prices — but the era of cheap, easy European residency by property is closing. Where the numbers still work, what residency you actually get, and the all-in cost that headline prices hide.
Read article →Portugal Golden Visa in 2026: real estate is out — the €500k fund route and D7 vs D8 explained
Property no longer qualifies for the Portugal Golden Visa. The live route is a €500,000 qualifying fund — and for many buyers the D7 or D8 visa is the better path. Here's how the fund route works, and which visa actually fits.
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