2026 Overseas Property Trends Observation: Malaysia rises to fourth place among Chinese buyers, Dubai's tax environment is under scrutiny

1、 Diversified overseas property destinations for Chinese buyers

In 2026, Chinese investors' overseas property allocation is showing a trend of diversified destinations. According to industry observation data, Malaysia has risen to the fourth place among Chinese buyers' overseas property destinations, while Singapore, which has long been at the forefront, has driven some capital to divert to other markets due to high housing prices and significant premiums.

In addition to Malaysia, markets such as Dubai, Japan, northern cities in the UK, and Australia continue to receive attention. The logic behind attracting Chinese buyers to different destinations varies: Dubai relies on a clear property ownership system, stable housing performance, and a friendly tax environment (no personal income tax, no property tax) to attract families seeking dual needs for asset allocation and lifestyle; Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and other northern cities in the UK are good at relatively affordable housing prices and higher rental yields; Istanbul, Türkiye, attracts investors with specific needs by virtue of the naturalization policy and lower unit price.

2、 Comparison of Key Data in Popular Markets

From the perspectives of rental returns and housing price growth, there are significant differences in performance among different markets. In terms of the British market, in 2026, house prices in northern cities of England (Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds) are expected to increase by 3% to 5%, and rental yields can reach 6% to 7%; London housing prices are expected to increase by 0% to 2%, with rental yields of approximately 3% to 4%. This means that for investors whose main demand is rental returns, the cost-effectiveness of non London cities is more prominent.

The average rental yield in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ranges from 4% to 6%, with luxury apartments and serviced apartments tending towards the upper limit of the range in areas where foreigners reside. Kuala Lumpur, as a regional commercial and educational center, maintains stable long-term and short-term rental demand throughout the year. The Malaysian government actively attracts international investors through the "My Second Home" (MM2H) project, providing long-term visas and favorable conditions for property ownership.

The main reasons why Chinese families choose Dubai include property rights protection, stable rental market performance, and high-end living environment. The threshold for the Dubai Golden Visa is to purchase a property worth over 2 million dirhams, which directly links property investment with identity acquisition.

Türkiye provides a path to apply for citizenship after purchasing a house for 400000 dollars. The house can be sold after three years of ownership. There are no residential and language requirements. Istanbul is the main choice of Chinese buyers.

3、 Decision framework for overseas real estate

Overseas real estate investment is not a simple act of "buying a house", but a systematic decision involving exchange rates, taxes, laws, loans, management, and exit mechanisms. For investors who are trying to invest in overseas properties for the first time, there are several dimensions that need to be carefully considered:

Property rights system: Different countries have different regulations on the property rights period, holding ratio, and loan conditions for foreigners to purchase houses. It is necessary to understand the legal framework of the target market in advance.

Tax costs: The tax burden on holding and exiting processes such as property tax, rental income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, etc., directly affects investment returns.

Liquidity: The trading activity and exit convenience of the market where the property is located determine the difficulty of future realization.

Management costs: Multinational real estate usually requires entrusting local management companies, and management expenses and vacancy rates need to be included in cost estimation.

4、 The impact of policy changes on home ownership choices

From 2025 to 2026, there will be adjustments to real estate related policies in multiple countries. Spain terminated its golden visa program in April 2025, which means the path to obtaining residency through purchasing a house has been closed. This change has led investors who were originally focused on the Spanish market to turn to countries such as Portugal, Greece, and Malta that still retain residency and home purchase paths. The UK is also adjusting the additional stamp duty policy for overseas investors, which affects the calculation of home purchase costs.

These policy changes remind investors that overseas property purchases should not only consider the cost-effectiveness of the property itself, but also pay attention to policy stability and changing trends. Fully understanding the immigration policies, tax regulations, and restrictions on foreign investment in the target country before making decisions is a fundamental prerequisite for controlling risks.

5、 The value of professional information integration

Overseas real estate involves multiple professional fields such as cross-border law, taxation, finance, and real estate transactions, and it is difficult to obtain complete and timely information solely through online searches. Participating in industry exhibitions and having face-to-face communication with developers, lawyers, tax consultants, and lending institutions from various countries are effective ways to improve the quality of decision-making.

From November 20th to 22nd, 2026, the Overseas Immigrant Study Abroad Property and Enterprise Overseas Development and Financial Services Expo will be held for three days at the Shanghai World Trade Exhibition Center, with an expected attendance of about 8000 people. The Expo sets up an overseas real estate exhibition area, gathering real estate developers, intermediary agencies, and supporting service providers from multiple countries. Visitors can gain on-site knowledge of housing information, price levels, and policy environments in different markets.

If you need to know more about exhibitions or visits, you can call the exhibition hotline 13681692751 (same as WeChat) or visit the official website www.qs-expo.com.