Three out of ten Swedes are considering buying a home abroad and Spain is by far the most popular country, according to a recent Sifo survey from Fastighetsbyrån. Opportunities to work remotely mean that more Swedes can take advantage of living abroad for longer periods.
Summer is short – at least in Sweden. 28% of Swedes have at some point considered buying a home abroad and it is countries in warmer latitudes that are most attractive, shows a new Sifo survey from Fastighetsbyrån. Residents in big cities are most keen on living abroad (32% of Swedes) and in the 50–64 age group, 43% of Swedes have considered buying a home abroad.
Spain clearly tops the list of countries that Swedes would most like to buy a home in (22%). Second place is taken by Italy (9 %), followed by France and Portugal (5 %).
– Spain continues to be the absolute first choice for Swedes to live abroad. After the pandemic eased, we are seeing record demand from Swedes, which is still holding up now that the Swedish housing market is a bit shaky. The warm climate is of course attractive, but culture, food, nature and leisure activities also make Spain attractive. Good flight options and different price levels for housing also make it a realistic alternative for many, says Martin Posch, Business Area Manager Fastighetsbyrån utland.
Remote work broadens the target group for expatriates
When asked how they would primarily like to use a home abroad, over a third respond that they would use it during holidays and weekends (35 %) and during all or most of the winter months (34 %). 18 % also state that they would like to use the home for longer periods and work remotely.
– The pandemic has increased the opportunity to work remotely for longer periods, which means that more people are seeing living abroad as an alternative. The target group here in Spain has broadened and we can see more younger people as buyers. Many also think that it is positive from a sustainability perspective when they can use the home for longer periods and reduce the number of flights, says Martin Posch, Business Area Manager, Real Estate Agency Abroad.
Results from the survey:
In which country, besides Sweden, would you most like to buy a home?
- Spain (22%)
- Italy (9%)
- France (5%)
- Portugal (5%)
- Greece (5%)
- Norway (3%)
- Germany (2%)
- United States (2%)
- Thailand (2%)
- Australia (1%)
If you were to buy a home abroad, how would you primarily want to use it? (multiple answers possible)
- During holidays and weekends (35%)
- During the entire/major part of the winter season (34%)
- For longer periods when I can work remotely (18%)
- Hesitant, don't know (16%)
- Permanent (10%)
About the survey
The survey was conducted by Kantar Public on behalf of Fastighetsbyrån. It is based on approximately 1,000 interviews, with people aged 18–79 years and is nationally representative. The data collection was carried out in the randomly recruited Sifopanel between 19–25 May 2022.
According to the press release
