61% of Indian Buyers of Overseas Property Eye Rental Income and Capital Appreciation: Knight Frank India–IREX Survey

Overseas real estate accounts for 13% of respondents’ wealth portfolios, up from approximately 5% a decade ago

• 85% of respondents plan to invest between USD 250,000 and USD 1 mn, while apartments and condominiums remain the preferred property type

Mumbai, 22^nd October 2026: According to a joint survey by Knight Frank India and IREX, 61% of respondents intend to buy overseas property for rental income and capital appreciation, highlighting the importance of investment returns in international residential property decisions. Resident Indian overseas property preferences span the Middle East, Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America. The UAE, Greece, Thailand, Portugal, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Bali (Indonesia), Canada and Malaysia feature among respondents’ choices.

The findings from the report- Keys Beyond Borders indicate that overseas property is increasingly being considered alongside domestic real estate as part of a broader wealth strategy. Rental income and capital appreciation remain the primary intended usefor prospective acquisitions. Buyers also consider residency opportunities, portfolio diversification, lifestyle preferences and other long-term financial and personal objectives.

The findings relate to the core investible market and do not cover trophy or ultra-prime assets. The survey reflects stated purchase intentions, and not all high-intent responses will translate into completed purchases. All funding discussed assumes full statutory compliance with the Reserve Bank of India’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), FEMA and applicable tax rules in India and the destination country. Respondents include buyers and intermediaries answering on their behalf; the sample is not designed to represent all resident Indian buyers.

Shishir Baijal, International Partner, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India, said, “Overseas residential property is increasingly being considered as part of a broader wealth and investment strategy by Indian buyers. While rental income and capital appreciation remain important considerations, destination choices are also shaped by residency opportunities, lifestyle preferences and the need to diversify assets across markets. It is important to note that this report captures the intent of resident Indian individuals considering overseas residential purchases, viewed in the context of the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) and the permitted annual remittance limit of US$250,000 per individual. It therefore maps the destinations buyers may consider within this funding framework, rather than representing the entirety of overseas property investment by Indians. The findings highlight the importance of evaluating each market against individual investment objectives, budgets and regulatory considerations.”

 Overseas property gains a larger share of wealth portfolios

Real estate accounts for an average of 45% of total wealth allocation of the respondents, comprising 32% in domestic property and 13% in overseas property. The allocation to overseas real estate has increased from approximately 5% a decade ago, indicating its growing share in respondents’ investment portfolios.

The survey finds that 84% of respondents already own property overseas, while 16% are prospective first-time buyers in international markets.

 Average wealth allocation among respondents

Source: Knight Frank India–IREX survey, Keys Beyond Borders, 2026

Residency and Golden Visa opportunities rank first among the five key factors influencing overseas property purchase decisions. Other factors include portfolio diversification and currency hedging, business expansion and tax benefits, children’s education and lifestyle improvement. These findings indicate that overseas property purchases are driven by broader personal and investment objectives, in additions to potential financial returns.

Lavanya Anand, Event Director, IREX said, “The growing interest among Indian buyers in overseas real estate reflects a more considered approach to global property ownership, where investment potential, residency options and lifestyle aspirations intersect. Buyers are increasingly evaluating international markets not just for rental income and capital appreciation, but also for the long-term value they can offer in terms of portfolio diversification and global mobility. The findings highlight the importance of understanding market-specific opportunities, regulatory frameworks and ownership considerations before making an overseas property investment.”

 “Since 2015, IREX has been connecting Indian investors with international real estate and investment migration opportunities. Over the years, we have seen a significant change in how Indians approach overseas property investments, whether for wealth creation, global mobility or securing their families’ future. Our collaboration with Knight Frank India on ‘Keys Beyond Borders’ builds on our earlier research in 2017 and examines how investment preferences, motivations and trends have evolved over the years. The report offers fresh insights into the changing landscape of overseas real estate investment among Indians,” continued Lavanya Anand, Event Director, IREX.

Business owners, traders and industrialists account for 53% of respondents, making them the largest group considering overseas property acquisitions. Corporate executives and working professionals represent 30%, while first-generation entrepreneurs account for 11%. The share of corporate executives and working professionals has increased from 7% a decade ago, indicating that interest in international property markets now extends to a wider range of buyer’s profiles.

The survey also finds that 76% of respondents are between 35 and 50 years of age. This concentration among working-age buyers highlights the relevance of wealth creation, investment diversification and longer-term financial planning in overseas property decisions.

The survey indicates that 85% of respondents plan to invest between USD 250,000 and USD 1 mn in overseas property. Apartments and condominiums are the preferred property type, selected by 69% of respondents, followed by villas and townhouses at 26%. Penthouses account for 4% of preferences, while branded residences account for 1%.

Property size is another consideration, with 76% of respondents looking at homes measuring between 1,500 and 2,500 sq ft. Within this range, 49% prefer properties measuring 2,000–2,500 sq ft, while 27% favour homes in the 1,500–2,000 sq ft category.

Overseas property preferences

Source: Knight Frank India–IREX survey, Keys Beyond Borders, 2026

These preferences provide insight into the types of properties respondents are considering, with apartments and condominiums leading demand within the stated investment budgets and size ranges.  They also highlight the importance of assessing overseas markets based on property suitability, investment objectives and individual requirements.

Property-related remittances by Indian residents for the purchase of immovable property abroad rose 64% year-on-year (YoY) to USD 528.70 mn in FY2025–26, compared with USD 322.82 mn in FY2024–25. This increase came even as overall outflows under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) declined by approximately 2% over the same period.

Property-related remittances accounted for around 1.8% of total LRS outflows. Although overseas property purchases remain a relatively small component of overall outward remittances, the annual increase provides additional context for the survey findings on interest in international real estate.

Other markets such as Georgia, Cyprus, Malta and Latvia are also attracting interest from buyers exploring overseas property opportunities. Residency programmes may influence interest in some of these markets, alongside investment potential, lifestyle preferences and other market-specific considerations.

Note: The report examines selected destinations connected to Indian buyers through family and diaspora ties, education, business and connectivity. Entry pathways and property ownership conditions also shape access to these markets. The coverage highlights the links between property investment and global mobility and is not an exhaustive account of Indian property investment worldwide.