When Laurel Attanasio and her husband, Josh, from Bethlehem, PA, decided to buy a second home to rent out and eventually retire in, they knew immediately that it had to be in Italy.
As a high-end traveling yoga instructor, Laurel was already spending three to four months out of every year working in Italy. Her husband, who works in sales in New York City, was also in the process of obtaining Italian citizenship as the great-grandson of an Italian native, so the choice of a country was an obvious one—but which region to purchase a home in was a different matter.
Speaking to Realtor.com on a recent afternoon, Laurel detailed how she and Josh, both 45, spent more than six years trying to find the perfect Italian second home.
After ruling out purchasing property in the pricier and more tourism-heavy northern region, despite Laurel having many professional contacts and friends there, the couple initially set their sights on Sicily, a place they had visited and loved—but where they struggled to zero in on a property that wouldn’t require major renovations.
After a couple of false starts, the Attanasios found themselves in Calabria— a sun-soaked southwestern region of stunning mountains and postcard-perfect beaches that occupies the “toe” of Italy’s boot-shaped peninsula.
“Strangely enough, we had never spent any time in Calabria at all, and we ended up buying a house in Calabria,” Laurel says.
More Americans seeking second homes abroad
The Attanasios reflect a growing trend among well-to-do Americans seeking second homes abroad, with some of the most popular destinations being Italy, Greece, and Portugal—but recently, a few under-the-radar locations have been capturing attention.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, a study by Coldwell Banker Global Luxury that appeared in The Trend Report 2024 found that roughly 40% of high-net-worth Americans expressed interest in buying a home overseas in the next 12 months, and two-thirds of respondents planned to purchase property in a foreign country within the next five years.
There are many reasons people opt to buy property farther afield: Some view it as an insurance policy against political or economic uncertainty at home; others dream of spending their golden years in a picturesque foreign locale; and then there are those who look to invest in a rental property in a desirable tourist destination as a way of boosting their income and diversifying their portfolio.
Whatever the reason, second-home buyers have no shortage of overseas markets to choose from, with some countries offering pathways to legal residency—and even citizenship in some cases—in a bid to attract American capital.
United Arab Emirates
One of those countries is the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which operates several “golden visa” programs aimed at deep-pocketed foreign transplants, with the most popular one tied to real estate, according to Basil Mohr-Elzeki, managing partner at investment consulting firm Henley & Partners-North America.
Mohr-Elzeki tells Realtor.com that a person investing the equivalent of $500,000 in Emirati real estate becomes eligible to obtain a five-year renewable visa. On top of the UAE’s welcoming immigration policies, the Middle Eastern nation has zero income tax, top-notch infrastructure, and booming construction offering plenty of second-home options.
UAE’s strategy aimed at attracting high-net-worth expats has paid off: This year, the country saw an eye-popping inflow of 9,800 millionaires with a combined wealth of around $63 billion—the most of any nation in the world, according to Henley & Partners’ annual Wealth Migration Report.
For comparison, the U.S. attracted the second-largest number of foreign millionaires in 2025, at roughly 7,500 new arrivals.
Greece
Those who prefer Old World charm and cobblestoned streets to manmade islands studded with sleek skyscrapers may prefer shopping for a second home in Greece.
The ancient birthplace of democracy currently offers three tiers of real estate investment ranging from the equivalent of $291,000 to roughly $931,000, depending on the type of property and market desired.
The priciest of the three options allows an expat to buy a home in some of the most in-demand parts of Greece, including the capital of Athens, the port city of Thessaloniki, and popular islands with more than 3,000 inhabitants.
Italy
Among Europe’s scenic lifestyle havens, Italy continues to hold Americans in its thrall—whether they’re aspiring to live out their “Under The Tuscan Sun” fantasy in a crumbling yet charming villa, or, more pragmatically, looking to invest in a turnkey condo to list on Airbnb.
Mohr-Elzeki notes that while Italy does not offer a visa program tied to real estate investment, that has not deterred Americans from flocking to snap up vacation homes there.
Those looking for a path to legal residency in Italy do have several options to choose from: having a passive income, investing 250,000 euros ($293,000) into a startup, or 500,000 euros ($586,000) into publicly traded stocks. All three options require foreigners to have a local address, either through renting or buying a home.
“Real estate purchases in Italy have been increasing, as they are receiving an inflow of millionaires as well,” says Mohr-Elzeki. This year alone, the number of millionaires flocking to Italy reached 3,600.
Joanna Zotti, a public relations consultant with the firm Italian Real Estate Lawyers, which helped the Attanasios find and close on their home in Calabria last year, said that 85% of their foreign clients hail from the U.S., and predominantly from major metros like the tri-state area on the East Coast and Chicago.
Zotti notes that contrary to popular belief, the majority of their clients seeking residences in Italy are not the elites but rather middle- and upper-middle class individuals.
Attorney and real estate expert Marco Permunian explains that the typical American client shopping for a property in Italy is looking to spend, on average, between $150,000 and $600,000, depending on the location and type of home they want.
“Predominantly, they’re looking at it as an investment to then rent out, as a short-term rental, long-term rental, or for themselves to buy and vacation, let’s say, once a year,” Permunian, with Italian Real Estate Lawyers, says.
His firm shepherds clients through every step of the often-arduous homebuying process, from researching properties that meet their needs and arranging viewings to negotiating terms and finalizing the deal.
“We basically do everything that is necessary, until we send them the keys of the property, until they have become the owners,” Permunian adds.
Under the Calabrian sun
For Laurel and Josh Attanasio, that process took about six months.
In mid-December 2024, the couple closed on a $750,000 fully furnished, turnkey farmhouse perched on a hill overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the Tyrrheanian Sea in the quaint village of Belvedere Marittimo. The main house, painted bright-yellow, is surrounded by 5.5 fertile acres that are home to an olive grove, citrus and fig trees, and a vineyard that produces wine for local restaurants.
As part of the deal, the Attanasios inherited a full-time worker who looks after the property—something Laurel admits she did not expect and had to get used to.
“It’s quite the property, quite the experience,” she says, adding that she was already feeling homesick for her Italian villa, having just returned from Calabria a few days prior, after spending a month there turning the new house into a home and getting to know the community.
Explaining her choice of property and location, Laurel says she did not want to get bogged down in a complicated construction project, so finding a move-in-ready home was high on her priorities list. She also did not want to be in a tourist hub overrun with people.
“I love Tuscany. It’s beautiful, but because I work in the tourism industry, I really wanted to be somewhere quiet and a little bit more off the beaten path than somewhere that was kind of already overconsumed with tourism,” she says.
At the same time, however, the Attanasios did not see themselves living in a completely rural setting either.
“It was really important to me to be able to have access to a town and be able to be a part of the community,” stresses Laurel. “And we have that remote feel, but we can still be at a restaurant in a couple minutes.”
Looking ahead, the Attanasios plan to rent out their enchanting farmhouse during the most in-demand summer months and spend their vacations there during the off-season.
Laurel has been busy lately buying extra supplies, like beach towels and blow dryers, for her future paying guests and soft-launching her lavish rental property on her social media accounts, where it has already attracted some attention, including from Americans—something she admits she did not expect.
“When we first got [the house], I was like, Americans are never going to rent this because it’s Calabria, and people don’t speak English [here],” she says. “Now I post pictures of it on Instagram and Facebook, and people are like, ‘When are you renting it? Can my family and I rent it?'”
She adds: “I’m pleasantly surprised that a lot of Americans have been inquiring about it. I’m hoping that Americans start to realize … that seeing some of the stuff off the beaten path is also fun and getting out of your comfort zone.”
Like many second-home owners, the Attanasios eventually envision themselves retiring to their Calabrian “dream house.”
Portugal
Some 1,500 miles to the west, Portugal has been another top-performing second-home market among American buyers, even though Mohr-Elzek, from Henley & Partners, notes that the country no longer offers visas in exchange for real estate investments, having retired the program in a bid to rein in the local home prices.
What foreigners can do instead is invest a minimum of 500,000 euros ($586,000) into eligible funds to obtain a “golden visa,” which would set them on a path to citizenship after seven to 10 years, according to Portugal’s newly revised immigration laws.
Despite the rule changes, demand for second homes in Portugal among Americans remains exceptionally high.
“They’re still falling in love with Portugal and buying property in Portugal, which makes the prices in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve significantly higher, and the expat community keeps on increasing,” says Mohr-Elzeki.
He suggests that U.S. investors on a budget look beyond those popular tourist destinations to find more affordable options.
Central American hot spots
Outside the European continent, the Central American nations of Panama and Costa Rica have been drawing greater numbers of Americans looking to invest there, including the affluent set.
The U.S. has long enjoyed friendly relations with Panama, allowing Americans to invest in the country at a lower threshold than other nationals seeking legal status there.
So for the relatively low price of $200,000, a U.S. citizen could procure a visa allowing them to live, work, and study in Panama.
Mohr-Elzeki points out that earlier this year, there was a slowdown in visa applications for Panama after President Donald Trump floated the idea of taking over the Panama Canal, but the geopolitcal tensions between the two partner nations have since subsided.
Known for its pristine beaches, volcanoes, and lush rainforests, Costa Rica has been equally popular among American expats looking to expand their foreign real estate portfolios.
According to Mohr-Elzeki, the Central American nation offers a couple of different routes to legal residence, including having a passive income and buying property.
Those who opt for the latter route can secure a visa by investing a minimum of $150,000 into land or real estate.
“We really see it as a wealth hub, being one of the fastest growing millionaire populations in the world right now in terms of growth rate,” says Mohr-Elzeki.
According to Henley & Partners’ latest wealth migration report, Costa Rica is projected to attract 350 millionaires with a cumulative wealth of $2.8 billion by the end of this year. Over the last decade, the country’s millionaire population had surged 72%.
Red flags when buying a home abroad
There is no shortage of challenges and potential pitfalls to avoid when looking to purchase property anywhere, especially in a foreign country where you may not speak the language.
Laurel Attanasio, who recently bought the home in Calabria, says that Americans should be aware of the various taxes that accompany any transaction in Italy—and budget accordingly.
“I had a crazy spreadsheet where I was keeping track of each different tax that was associated with things,” she recalls.
Laurel also stresses the importance of having a knowledgeable local expert, be it a lawyer or a real estate broker, to help you navigate the complex homebuying process and ensure that all the paperwork is in order.
Another important consideration is managing expectations and preparing yourself for the possibility that it might be awhile before you receive the keys to your new home. In the Attanasios- case, six months passed between their offer in June 2024 and the closing in December.
That prolonged waiting period included the month of August, where almost all nonessential business activity in Italy grinds to a halt for the summer holidays.
If buying new construction in a foreign country, take a very close look at the developer’s track record, with an eye for their rate of completion—and even visit the building site when possible to check on the progress, urges Mohr-Elzeki.
Echoing Laurel’s advice, he also emphasizes the importance of hiring an experienced intermediary to examine all the tax implications, validate the contracts, and make sure the client is aware of and comfortable withWhen Laurel Attanasio and her husband, Josh, from Bethlehem, PA, decided to buy a second home to rent out and eventually retire in, they knew immediately that it had to be in Italy.
As a high-end traveling yoga instructor, Laurel was already spending three to four months out of every year working in Italy. Her husband, who works in sales in New York City, was also in the process of obtaining Italian citizenship as the great-grandson of an Italian native, so the choice of a country was an obvious one—but which region to purchase a home in was a different matter.
Speaking to Realtor.com® on a recent afternoon, Laurel detailed how she and Josh, both 45, spent more than six years trying to find the perfect Italian second home.
After ruling out purchasing property in the pricier and more tourism-heavy northern region, despite Laurel having many professional contacts and friends there, the couple initially set their sights on Sicily, a place they had visited and loved—but where they struggled to zero in on a property that wouldn’t require major renovations.
After a couple of false starts, the Attanasios found themselves in Calabria— a sun-soaked southwestern region of stunning mountains and postcard-perfect beaches that occupies the “toe” of Italy’s boot-shaped peninsula.
“Strangely enough, we had never spent any time in Calabria at all, and we ended up buying a house in Calabria,” Laurel says.
More Americans seeking second homes abroad
The Attanasios reflect a growing trend among well-to-do Americans seeking second homes abroad, with some of the most popular destinations being Italy, Greece, and Portugal—but recently, a few under-the-radar locations have been capturing attention.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, a study by Coldwell Banker Global Luxury that appeared in The Trend Report 2024 found that roughly 40% of high-net-worth Americans expressed interest in buying a home overseas in the next 12 months, and two-thirds of respondents planned to purchase property in a foreign country within the next five years.
There are many reasons people opt to buy property farther afield: Some view it as an insurance policy against political or economic uncertainty at home; others dream of spending their golden years in a picturesque foreign locale; and then there are those who look to invest in a rental property in a desirable tourist destination as a way of boosting their income and diversifying their portfolio.
Whatever the reason, second-home buyers have no shortage of overseas markets to choose from, with some countries offering pathways to legal residency—and even citizenship in some cases—in a bid to attract American capital.
United Arab Emirates
One of those countries is the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which operates several “golden visa” programs aimed at deep-pocketed foreign transplants, with the most popular one tied to real estate, according to Basil Mohr-Elzeki, managing partner at investment consulting firm Henley & Partners-North America.
Mohr-Elzeki tells Realtor.com that a person investing the equivalent of $500,000 in Emirati real estate becomes eligible to obtain a five-year renewable visa. On top of the UAE’s welcoming immigration policies, the Middle Eastern nation has zero income tax, top-notch infrastructure, and booming construction offering plenty of second-home options.
UAE’s strategy aimed at attracting high-net-worth expats has paid off: This year, the country saw an eye-popping inflow of 9,800 millionaires with a combined wealth of around $63 billion—the most of any nation in the world, according to Henley & Partners’ annual Wealth Migration Report.
For comparison, the U.S. attracted the second-largest number of foreign millionaires in 2025, at roughly 7,500 new arrivals.
Greece
Those who prefer Old World charm and cobblestoned streets to manmade islands studded with sleek skyscrapers may prefer shopping for a second home in Greece.
The ancient birthplace of democracy currently offers three tiers of real estate investment ranging from the equivalent of $291,000 to roughly $931,000, depending on the type of property and market desired.
The priciest of the three options allows an expat to buy a home in some of the most in-demand parts of Greece, including the capital of Athens, the port city of Thessaloniki, and popular islands with more than 3,000 inhabitants.
Italy
Among Europe’s scenic lifestyle havens, Italy continues to hold Americans in its thrall—whether they’re aspiring to live out their “Under The Tuscan Sun” fantasy in a crumbling yet charming villa, or, more pragmatically, looking to invest in a turnkey condo to list on Airbnb.
Mohr-Elzeki notes that while Italy does not offer a visa program tied to real estate investment, that has not deterred Americans from flocking to snap up vacation homes there.
Those looking for a path to legal residency in Italy do have several options to choose from: having a passive income, investing 250,000 euros ($293,000) into a startup, or 500,000 euros ($586,000) into publicly traded stocks. All three options require foreigners to have a local address, either through renting or buying a home.
“Real estate purchases in Italy have been increasing, as they are receiving an inflow of millionaires as well,” says Mohr-Elzeki. This year alone, the number of millionaires flocking to Italy reached 3,600.
Joanna Zotti, a public relations consultant with the firm Italian Real Estate Lawyers, which helped the Attanasios find and close on their home in Calabria last year, said that 85% of their foreign clients hail from the U.S., and predominantly from major metros like the tri-state area on the East Coast and Chicago.
Zotti notes that contrary to popular belief, the majority of their clients seeking residences in Italy are not the elites but rather middle- and upper-middle class individuals.
Attorney and real estate expert Marco Permunian explains that the typical American client shopping for a property in Italy is looking to spend, on average, between $150,000 and $600,000, depending on the location and type of home they want.
“Predominantly, they’re looking at it as an investment to then rent out, as a short-term rental, long-term rental, or for themselves to buy and vacation, let’s say, once a year,” Permunian, with Italian Real Estate Lawyers, says.
His firm shepherds clients through every step of the often-arduous homebuying process, from researching properties that meet their needs and arranging viewings to negotiating terms and finalizing the deal.
“We basically do everything that is necessary, until we send them the keys of the property, until they have become the owners,” Permunian adds.
Under the Calabrian sun
For Laurel and Josh Attanasio, that process took about six months.
In mid-December 2024, the couple closed on a $750,000 fully furnished, turnkey farmhouse perched on a hill overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the Tyrrheanian Sea in the quaint village of Belvedere Marittimo. The main house, painted bright-yellow, is surrounded by 5.5 fertile acres that are home to an olive grove, citrus and fig trees, and a vineyard that produces wine for local restaurants.
As part of the deal, the Attanasios inherited a full-time worker who looks after the property—something Laurel admits she did not expect and had to get used to.
“It’s quite the property, quite the experience,” she says, adding that she was already feeling homesick for her Italian villa, having just returned from Calabria a few days prior, after spending a month there turning the new house into a home and getting to know the community.
Explaining her choice of property and location, Laurel says she did not want to get bogged down in a complicated construction project, so finding a move-in-ready home was high on her priorities list. She also did not want to be in a tourist hub overrun with people.
“I love Tuscany. It’s beautiful, but because I work in the tourism industry, I really wanted to be somewhere quiet and a little bit more off the beaten path than somewhere that was kind of already overconsumed with tourism,” she says.
At the same time, however, the Attanasios did not see themselves living in a completely rural setting either.
“It was really important to me to be able to have access to a town and be able to be a part of the community,” stresses Laurel. “And we have that remote feel, but we can still be at a restaurant in a couple minutes.”
Looking ahead, the Attanasios plan to rent out their enchanting farmhouse during the most in-demand summer months and spend their vacations there during the off-season.
Laurel has been busy lately buying extra supplies, like beach towels and blow dryers, for her future paying guests and soft-launching her lavish rental property on her social media accounts, where it has already attracted some attention, including from Americans—something she admits she did not expect.
“When we first got [the house], I was like, Americans are never going to rent this because it’s Calabria, and people don’t speak English [here],” she says. “Now I post pictures of it on Instagram and Facebook, and people are like, ‘When are you renting it? Can my family and I rent it?'”
She adds: “I’m pleasantly surprised that a lot of Americans have been inquiring about it. I’m hoping that Americans start to realize … that seeing some of the stuff off the beaten path is also fun and getting out of your comfort zone.”
Like many second-home owners, the Attanasios eventually envision themselves retiring to their Calabrian “dream house.”
Portugal
Some 1,500 miles to the west, Portugal has been another top-performing second-home market among American buyers, even though Mohr-Elzek, from Henley & Partners, notes that the country no longer offers visas in exchange for real estate investments, having retired the program in a bid to rein in the local home prices.
What foreigners can do instead is invest a minimum of 500,000 euros ($586,000) into eligible funds to obtain a “golden visa,” which would set them on a path to citizenship after seven to 10 years, according to Portugal’s newly revised immigration laws.
Despite the rule changes, demand for second homes in Portugal among Americans remains exceptionally high.
“They’re still falling in love with Portugal and buying property in Portugal, which makes the prices in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve significantly higher, and the expat community keeps on increasing,” says Mohr-Elzeki.
He suggests that U.S. investors on a budget look beyond those popular tourist destinations to find more affordable options.
Central American hot spots
Outside the European continent, the Central American nations of Panama and Costa Rica have been drawing greater numbers of Americans looking to invest there, including the affluent set.
The U.S. has long enjoyed friendly relations with Panama, allowing Americans to invest in the country at a lower threshold than other nationals seeking legal status there.
So for the relatively low price of $200,000, a U.S. citizen could procure a visa allowing them to live, work, and study in Panama.
Mohr-Elzeki points out that earlier this year, there was a slowdown in visa applications for Panama after President Donald Trump floated the idea of taking over the Panama Canal, but the geopolitcal tensions between the two partner nations have since subsided.
Known for its pristine beaches, volcanoes, and lush rainforests, Costa Rica has been equally popular among American expats looking to expand their foreign real estate portfolios.
According to Mohr-Elzeki, the Central American nation offers a couple of different routes to legal residence, including having a passive income and buying property.
Those who opt for the latter route can secure a visa by investing a minimum of $150,000 into land or real estate.
“We really see it as a wealth hub, being one of the fastest growing millionaire populations in the world right now in terms of growth rate,” says Mohr-Elzeki.
According to Henley & Partners’ latest wealth migration report, Costa Rica is projected to attract 350 millionaires with a cumulative wealth of $2.8 billion by the end of this year. Over the last decade, the country’s millionaire population had surged 72%.
Red flags when buying a home abroad
There is no shortage of challenges and potential pitfalls to avoid when looking to purchase property anywhere, especially in a foreign country where you may not speak the language.
Laurel Attanasio, who recently bought the home in Calabria, says that Americans should be aware of the various taxes that accompany any transaction in Italy—and budget accordingly.
“I had a crazy spreadsheet where I was keeping track of each different tax that was associated with things,” she recalls.
Laurel also stresses the importance of having a knowledgeable local expert, be it a lawyer or a real estate broker, to help you navigate the complex homebuying process and ensure that all the paperwork is in order.
Another important consideration is managing expectations and preparing yourself for the possibility that it might be awhile before you receive the keys to your new home. In the Attanasios- case, six months passed between their offer in June 2024 and the closing in December.
That prolonged waiting period included the month of August, where almost all nonessential business activity in Italy grinds to a halt for the summer holidays.
If buying new construction in a foreign country, take a very close look at the developer’s track record, with an eye for their rate of completion—and even visit the building site when possible to check on the progress, urges Mohr-Elzeki.
Echoing Laurel’s advice, he also emphasizes the importance of hiring an experienced intermediary to examine all the tax implications, validate the contracts, and make sure the client is aware of and comfortable with all of the terms before the deal is finalized. all of the terms before the deal is finalized.
