The proportion of international applicants looking to buy a home in the UK has fallen to its lowest level on record, according to new data from Hamptons. Internationally registered buyers now make up just 1% of the total, down from a peak of 3% in 2009. In Prime Central London, that figure is now 2.9%, down from a peak of 7.9% in 2009.
Hamptons says that the decline in demand is ‘predominantly driven by fewer Europeans relocating to Great Britain’, with Europeans making up 43% of international house hunters in Q1 2025. North Americans and buyers from the Middle East are slowly picking up the slack, but not quite quick enough to stop the overall slide.
Proportion of all international applicants in Great Britain
So what is spooking foreign buyers? According to Hamptons, it’s more a question of what isn’t. ‘Political events worldwide continue to influence demand for UK property from international buyers,’ says Aneisha Beveridge, head of research at Hamptons. ‘But more recently, it's tax changes that have stemmed the flow of overseas house hunters. Stamp duty increases, particularly for those purchasing second homes, combined with Brexit and amendments to the tax treatment of non-doms, have added to costs and reduced the lure of property in the UK.’
'The case for buying a home, particularly in Prime Central London, has become increasingly tenuous for some international buyers'
London continues to remain the focus for overseas house hunters, with more than half of applicants looking to purchase in the capital in the first quarter of 2025. However, those chasing more affordable homes are heading north, it seems, with 10% of applicants looking at the north east, north west and Yorkshire, which is up from 5% a decade ago. 75% of these potential purchasers are looking for a permanent home, per Hamptons. Liverpool is the most popular city, attracting 49% of applicants looking to buy in the north of England.
‘The case for buying a home, particularly in Prime Central London, has become increasingly tenuous for some international buyers,’ Aneisha continues. ‘For those immigrating for an undetermined period, the cost of buying property and the prospect of little or no capital growth, as seen over the last decade in PCL, have led many to opt for renting instead.’
‘That said, access to all the amenities and culture that London offers, combined with the country's robust legal system, continues to attract money from overseas from those looking to buy’.
-
The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a centuryAnna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
-
Country Life Quiz of the Day, September 16, 2025 gets Brutal(ist)Divisive architecture is among the themes of today's quiz questions.
-
The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a century
Anna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
-
A 500-year-old cottage in West Sussex that's as beautiful as you could ever hope to see, with a pool ringed by flowers, stables and a croquet lawnJames Fisher was in need of some balm for the soul when he came across Woodshill House.
-
A Clarkson's Farm of one's own: Five properties with just enough farmland for you and your family, from under £1 millionMoving to the country is one thing; moving to the country and being able to grow and rear all your own food is another level entirely, and all these properties offer exactly that.
-
Six superb homes, from chocolate box cottages to grand Tudor mansions, as seen in Country LifeOur regular round-up includes charming home counties houses and superb grand country house in Ireland.
-
A billionaire's thatched cottage is for sale in Surrey, once owned by the oil magnate J. Paul GettyChestnut Cottage is a joyous little home — albeit one with the most unusual bedrooms to acreage to price balances we've ever seen. Toby Keel takes a look inside.
-
Medieval Italian? 19th century French? 16th century German? You're spoilt for choice if you're looking to buy a gorgeous continental castleFrom hills of Italy to a Bavarian palace, Toby Keel takes a look at three of the finest castles for sale across Europe today.
-
How to buy a house at auctionBuying at auction can mean you secure your dream property for a bargain price, but preparation is the key
-
The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same timeThe houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
