If you’ve not made up your mind yet where you want to buy a property, explore our <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/places-to-live/regions">region guides</a> for a broad overview of an area. Or if you have your eye on a particular area of Spain, take a look at our <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/places-to-live/provinces">province guides</a>. Find out what it’s like to live there, where the top locations are to buy a property, and discover what services and amenities could be on your doorstep.&nbsp;&nbsp;Or perhaps you already know which city / town you want to move to, and want to find out more about what it’s like to live there, things to do for expats, healthcare options, schools, jobs, and transport services. If so, check out our <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/places-to-live/cities">town and city guides</a>, which offer a deep dive into all these topics and more.&nbsp;For further location inspiration, check out our blog posts on the top destinations to buy property in Spain for <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/where-to-buy-cheap-property-in-spain-in-2024">budget hunters</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/where-to-buy-property-in-spain-2024">investors</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/11-best-destinations-to-live-in-spain-for-families">families</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/11-best-destinations-to-retire-in-spain">retirees</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/11-best-destinations-to-live-in-spain-for-digital-nomads">digital nomads</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/best-golf-resorts-to-buy-a-property-in-spain">golf lovers</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/lights-camera-spain-spanish-movie-locations-where-you-can-buy-a-property">movie fans</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/best-food-and-wine-destinations-in-spain-to-buy-a-property">foodies</a>, and <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/best-heritage-destinations-in-1">history buffs</a>.

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Spain

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Despite being bordered by only one other country (Spain), Portugal has an intercontinental feel. The culture, architecture, language and cuisine have all been influenced by centuries of global travel. Living standards are high due to the advanced economy, peaceful governance, and emphasis on moral freedom for its citizens. The weather is uniformly warm in the summer months, while temperatures in winter vary depending on location. For example, you’ll find snowfall in the mountains, mild microclimates by the coast and subtropical islands. But it’s the stunning variety of terrains that draws so many tourists and expats to the country. You can hike in the national parks, walk the cobbled streets of the historic villages, search the Atlantic horizon for glimpses of North America from dramatic cliffs or lounge on one of the many glittering beaches. The Portuguese have a hospitable nature and you can expect to eat freshly sourced ingredients cooked simply and served with a flourish. Fish, squid, smoked meats, olives, cheese, bread and local wines are plentiful and you’ll find produce markets and restaurants at every turn. Feasts are central features of many of the festivities but you’ll also find music, dancing and night-time revelries at the frequent celebrations throughout the year. The north of Portugal is rocky and rugged and famous for the port wine-growing region, the Douro Valley. Rising up from the rural interior are wild mountains dotted with hunks of granite and flowing from them, the wide, fertile Tagus, Guadiana and Douro rivers. Lisbon is the most densely populated city, closely followed by Porto, and the southern Algarve region is a tourist hotspot. The Madeira archipelago is made up of 8 volcanic peaks, only two of which are inhabited and there are 9 islands in the Azores offering pale beaches, thermal lakes, geysers and black lava fields. This land has been fought over by Celts, Goths, Greeks, Romans and Moors, each of whom have left their architectural marks. Modern property development tends towards spacious, open-plan homes with echoes of these historical styles. The people of Portugal revere a rural life and as a result, there are a lot of villas or plots of land for development available in the countryside. In contrast, the cities and coastal regions are filled with affordable apartments. The road networks are good, air travel is quick and easy from northern Europe and America and there are high-speed international trains from connecting cities in France and Spain. Children are legally required to be in education from six to eighteen years old and there is a range of schooling options for international students, from public state schools, private faith schools or international schools. There is a state healthcare system in Portugal too. EU citizens can access it for free once they’ve registered and received a healthcare number (cartão de utente).

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Portugal

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The food alone would be enough reason to move to Italy. Add in the art, the climate, the architecture, and the pace of life in the right parts of the country, and you have a case that is genuinely difficult to argue with. Italy covers more ground than most people expect. The Alps run across the entire northern border, with some of the best skiing in Europe in the Dolomites, Valle d'Aosta and Trentino. Moving south, the Po Valley gives way to the Apennine spine that runs the full length of the peninsula. The coastline is vast, from the Ligurian Riviera and Cinque Terre in the northwest to the Adriatic in the east and the Tyrrhenian coast in the west, all the way down to Sicily and Sardinia. Italy has more geographical variety packed into one country than almost anywhere else in Europe. For art and culture, Italy occupies a category of its own. It has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country in the world. Rome alone contains enough history for several lifetimes - the Colosseum, the Forum, the Vatican, the Borghese Gallery - and that is before you reach Florence, Venice, Siena, Ravenna, Lecce, or any of the dozens of smaller cities that would be the cultural centrepiece of most other countries. Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance, and that inheritance is visible everywhere. Italian food is not a single cuisine but a collection of fiercely regional traditions, each distinct and each taken seriously. The pasta in Bologna is different from the pasta in Naples, which is different again from what you will find in Rome. The wine culture is extraordinary - Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, Amarone, Chianti Classico, Prosecco, Nero d'Avola - and drinking well in Italy costs remarkably little compared to what the same bottles fetch elsewhere. Local markets throughout the country are excellent, and form the backbone of how most Italians actually shop and eat. On the practical side, Italy has a universal public healthcare system, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, available to all legal residents and ranked among the best in Europe. The high-speed rail network has improved considerably in the last decade, with Frecciarossa trains connecting Rome, Milan, Florence, Bologna, Naples and Venice at speeds that make flying unnecessary for most domestic journeys. With major international airports in Rome, Milan, Venice, Naples, Palermo and many other cities, it is straightforward for visitors from home to come and see you. The cost of living varies considerably by region - the north is more expensive, but much of the south, Sicily and the interior offer a quality of life at a price that is genuinely hard to find anywhere else in western Europe.

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Italy

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France has a way of making the case for itself without trying too hard. The food, the wine, the landscape, the architecture, the train network - almost every practical argument for where to live in Europe eventually circles back to France as a strong contender. Geographically, it is one of the most varied countries on the continent. The Alps run along the eastern border with Switzerland and Italy, home to Mont Blanc and some of the most famous ski resorts in the world. The Pyrenees form a natural boundary to the south with Spain. To the north and west, the Atlantic coastline stretches from Brittany and Normandy down through the Basque Country. The Mediterranean coast brings a completely different climate again. In between: the vineyards of Burgundy and Bordeaux, the lavender fields of Provence, the châteaux of the Loire Valley, and the wide agricultural plains of the north. Few countries offer this range in a single border. Paris is the obvious starting point for any conversation about France, and its reputation is, on balance, deserved. But the France that most people actually end up living in is the provincial one: Bordeaux with its wine trade and handsome 18th-century architecture, Lyon with its extraordinary restaurant culture and easy access to the Alps, Montpellier's growing university and tech scene, Nantes on the Atlantic, or any of hundreds of smaller towns that offer a quality of life that Paris prices make impossible. Property in rural France, in particular, remains startlingly affordable by western European standards. French food is a subject that deserves its own section. This is where the modern concept of the restaurant was invented, where appellations d'origine were developed to protect regional produce, and where cheese alone comes in more than 300 named varieties. The markets - covered marchés in larger cities and weekly outdoor markets in small towns - are generally excellent and remain central to how people actually shop. Wine runs through almost everything: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Côtes du Rhône, Alsace, the Loire, Languedoc - each with its own character and, if you are willing to buy regional rather than famous labels, remarkably good value. On practical matters, France has one of the best-regarded healthcare systems in the world, with the Sécurité Sociale providing universal coverage for legal residents and a consistently high standard of care. The rail network is exceptional - the TGV connects Paris to Marseille in three hours, to Lyon in under two, and to Bordeaux in just over two, with services extending across the country and into neighbouring countries. Beyond Paris, France has major international airports in Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux, Nantes and Toulouse, making it straightforward to stay connected to wherever home used to be.

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France

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Where are you thinking of moving to?

France Guides

Location Guides

Discover France

Buying in France

Moving to France

Living in France

Everything you need to know about French visas as a property buyer, from short stays to long-term moves. This guide covers application steps, required documents, costs, and special info for UK and US citizens.

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Total guide to French visas

Thinking of moving to France? Discover how John and Cath built a joyful life in Eymet, Dordogne. Get first-hand insights and tips on relocating post-Brexit, handling French paperwork, and embracing expat life amid markets, vineyards, and community.

One of the impossible picturesque streets of Domme, in the Dordogne

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A new Life in Eymet and what to expect when moving to France

Beyond the tourist attractions, the prospect of owning property in France offers you a lifestyle that values good food, art, wine, history, and the simple joy of living well. 

Here are the five most compelling reasons that make France an ideal destination to buy a property. 


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5 great reasons to buy a property in France

Considering renting out your property in France? Our guide covers the legal requirements, taxes, and key considerations for a smooth rental experience. 

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Renting out your home for income in France

Explore our handpicked selection of retirement properties in France. Find your dream home from charming cottages to luxurious villas across the country.

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Our favourite retirement properties for sale in France

Discover the best retirement locations to buy property in France. From the glittering French Riviera to the historic towns of the Dordogne & Brittany.

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Best places to retire in France 2025

Explore the paths to obtaining French citizenship or permanent residency. Our guide covers eligibility, requirements, and the application process for expats.

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How to get French citizenship and residency

Your guide to taking your pet to France, from documentation required to vaccinations to travel options. Make it a stress-free relocation for your furry friend.

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Total guide to taking your pet to France 

A guide to working in France, from work visas to finding a job. 

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Working in France: essential guide for expats seeking employment

Have you always dreamed of spending your golden years in fabulous France? Retiring to France could be the perfect choice if you want to enjoy affordable living costs, a Mediterranean climate and a better quality of life.

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