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Compare: where you live vs back in the UK
Buy a home where you live, or back in the UK? Each comparison puts both sides next to each other, city by city, including stamp duty surcharges, mortgages from abroad and capital gains for non-residents. General information, not advice.
SydneyBuying in Sydney vs back in the UK: surcharges, stamp duty and the taxman
On a temporary visa, Sydney charges foreigners heavily on the way in. Back home, living abroad and owning a Sydney flat can push your stamp duty up too.
New YorkBuying in New York vs back in the UK: co-op boards, mansion tax and HMRC
New York lets a Brit buy almost anything, if a co-op board agrees. Back home, living abroad and owning a Brooklyn condo can both add to your stamp duty.
TorontoBuying in Toronto vs back in the UK: two land transfer taxes and one HMRC
Toronto charges two land transfer taxes and, for foreign buyers, two speculation taxes. Back home, living abroad and owning a Toronto condo can lift your stamp duty.
MálagaBuying in Málaga vs back in the UK: ITP, IBI and the taxman on both sides
Málaga charges a flat transfer tax to buy a resale home and taxes non-resident owners every year. Here's how that compares with stamp duty, council tax and CGT back home.
DublinBuying in Dublin vs back in the UK: cheap stamp duty, tight mortgage rules
Ireland's stamp duty is a fraction of England's, but the Central Bank caps what you can borrow. Here's how buying in Dublin stacks up against buying back home.
AucklandBuying in Auckland vs back in the UK: no stamp duty, but a long wait
Auckland charges no stamp duty at all, but most Brits can't buy until they're residents. Back home anyone can buy, though living abroad adds to your stamp duty.
ParisBuying in Paris vs back in the UK: notaire fees, the 35% rule and two taxmen
France charges the same 7% or so to buy whether it's your first home or your fifth. England is cheap for a first home and dear for a second. Here's how they compare.
Cape TownBuying in Cape Town vs back home: transfer duty, the 50% rule and stamp duty
The same £300,000 costs more in transfer duty in Cape Town than in stamp duty back home, unless you keep a second home. Here's how the two compare, from the bond to the sale.
BerlinBuying in Berlin vs back home: a flat 6% now, stamp duty surcharges later
Berlin charges a flat 6% when you buy and leaves your gain alone after ten years. Here's how that compares with buying back home in the UK while you live abroad.
RomeBuying in Rome vs back home: cadastral values, the notaio and the taxman
Italy taxes your purchase on an official value that's often far below the price. Here's how buying in Rome stacks up against buying back home while you live abroad.
LisbonBuying in Lisbon vs back in the UK: IMT, IMI and a brand-new tax treaty
Portugal taxes a Lisbon purchase on a sliding scale and keeps the yearly IMI low. Back home, stamp duty bites if you live abroad. Here's how the two compare in 2026.
PaphosBuying in Paphos vs back home: transfer fees, title deeds and the taxman
Cyprus is cheap to own and fairly cheap to buy into, but the paperwork is a minefield. Here's how a Paphos purchase compares with buying back home in Blighty.
DubaiBuying in Dubai vs back in the UK: the 4% fee, stamp duty and the taxman
Dubai is cheap to own and has no tax on the gain, but the day you buy back in the UK, that flat can add thousands to your stamp duty. Here's how the two compare.
SingaporeBuying in Singapore vs back in the UK: 60% stamp duty, condos and HMRC
A Brit pays 60% extra stamp duty on a Singapore condo, while a UK house costs a fraction of that to buy. Here's how the two compare, from mortgages to tax on the sale.
ZurichBuying in Zurich vs back home: Lex Koller, a 20% deposit and almost no stamp duty
Zurich barely taxes the purchase but wants a fifth of the price in cash. Here's how buying in Zurich compares with buying back home in the UK while you live abroad.
Tel AvivBuying in Tel Aviv vs back home: purchase tax, your status and stamp duty
In Tel Aviv your status decides the bill: a foreign resident pays about £72,800 purchase tax on an average three-room flat, a new immigrant about £2,300. Here's the UK comparison.
AmsterdamBuying in Amsterdam vs back home: 100% mortgages, a 2% tax and the UK surcharges
Dutch banks lend the whole price and the transfer tax on your own home is 2%. Here's how buying in Amsterdam compares with buying back in the UK while you live abroad.
BangkokBuying in Bangkok vs back in the UK: condos, the 49% rule and stamp duty
A Bangkok condo is cheap to buy and cheaper to hold, but you can't own the land and you'll probably pay cash. Here's how it stacks up against buying back in the UK.
Hong KongBuying in Hong Kong vs back in the UK: same stamp duty as locals, different taxman
Since 2024 a Brit pays the same stamp duty as a Hong Konger, and a cheaper flat pays just HK$100. Here's how buying in Hong Kong compares with buying back in the UK.
FethiyeBuying in Fethiye vs back home: the TAPU fee, the lira and stamp duty
A Fethiye villa is quick and cheap to buy into, and the lira does strange things to your gain. Here's how it compares with buying back home in Blighty.