The Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Formentera and Ibiza, are an archipelago of islands in the western Mediterranean Sea. According to the National Statistics Institute, property sales in the Balearics are increasing by 32.3% year-on-year. So, why do the islands hold such widespread appeal?
Next year marks three decades since the late Peter Mayle published A Year in Provence, a must-read book that quickly became a benchmark for expats writing about their new life in France. It inspired countless others to move across the Channel, in particular to Provence. Of course, other adventurous Brits have since written about their own experiences in other parts of the country and here we pick five that may interest you.
It is only comparatively recently that the various Spanish Autonomous Regions have introduced tight rules for rentals, especially holiday rentals. It was necessary to ensure the high standard now expected by tourists. Many places which were advertised had no basic amenities such as air conditioning or ceiling fans. Some had no natural light in bedrooms and fell below the expected safety criteria. Today, we explore the major rules for rentals in Spain.
The Brexit deadline is approaching and it’s looking increasingly certain that British citizens will be treated the same as all other third-country nationals, requiring a visa to live here. A deal may be agreed that offers a better solution – or it may not. We just don’t know. What we do know, however, it that the only almost iron-clad way to guarantee your current rights is to move to Cyprus before Brexit.
Greece’s property market is on the up, with a much healthier outlook than for a long time. For three quarters in a row, according to data from the Bank of Greece, prices have been rising. That’s the longest sustained rise since 2008. We’ve certainly seen these nationwide trends reflected here on the islands. In fact, right over the last three years, we’ve seen a huge return of interest in the property market in Greece. This is for a number of reasons, including economic stabilisation, greater letting flexibility and international transport links.
I wrote this time last month that Portugal’s property market is booming and that’s certainly showing no signs of slowing down. The golden visas programme continues apace, attracting more and more investment into the country. Likewise, we’re seeing more results of the building boom, with luxury developments in Lisbon nearing completion. Plus, lest you think the Algarve’s just for holidays, an innovative solar facility’s opened near Martim Longo.
