Restrictions on foreign ownership exist mainly in emerging property markets. Most Western European countries, including the U.K., France and Italy, don't restrict foreign nationals from owning real estate. (Notable exceptions are Switzerland and Austria, which have established some foreign-buyer quotas to keep prices down in some ski towns.) The U.S. doesn't restrict foreigners from buying property.
Ways to restrict foreign investment aside from outright bans include high transfer taxes and limits on when and how much money investors can repatriate. Rules can differ depending whether the purchase is a residence or an investment.
To be sure, not all countries are choosing to loosen regulations. Some may crack down on foreign investment, blaming it for driving prices to unsustainable levels, says Danny Bance, managing partner of U.K.-based International Property Investment Network, a research and investment services provider for investors.
