Buying a second home in Europe: a complete guide

Pacaso Icon for profile pictures
Pacaso's Editorial Team
April 20, 2026
Warm, layered living room with paneled walls, natural wood accents, and steel-framed glass doors opening to a sunlit adjoining space.
Key takeaways
Buying a second home in Europe gives you a base for the culture, food, and cities you already love, without the full burden of sole ownership. Cities like Paris and London consistently top the list of best places to buy a second home in Europe because they combine heritage, walkability, and long appreciation histories. Pacaso's cross-border co-ownership in Europe pairs a share (1/8 to 1/2) with local legal and tax expertise, so you get a turnkey home abroad and keep the decision focused on lifestyle, not logistics.
You keep coming back to the same streets in Paris, the same corner pub in Mayfair, the same market in Lisbon, and the thought surfaces again: what would it take to actually own a place there? Buying a second home in Europe used to mean navigating a foreign legal system, a foreign tax code, and a long list of local vendors on your own. It does not have to.
This guide walks through the best places to look, what to expect as an international buyer, and how Pacaso's cross-border co-ownership in Europe gives you a real home abroad with local experts doing the heavy lifting.

Why consider buying a second home in Europe?

Europe is one of the rare places where short trips start feeling too short. A long weekend in Paris or London stretches a few days and you are already thinking about when you can come back. A second home turns that pattern into something you actually live, rather than rebook every year.Beyond the lifestyle, owning in Europe gives you a home base for the wider region. From Paris you can reach Amsterdam, Barcelona, or the Alps within a few hours. From London, the Cotswolds, Edinburgh, and Dublin are all a short hop. One home becomes a doorway to dozens of future trips with family and friends.Europe also has deep real estate markets in its most loved cities, with centuries of demand behind them. Central Paris and central London have been desirable for generations, which is part of why they remain the go-to answer for buyers searching for the best places to buy a second home in Europe.

What are the best places to buy a second home in Europe?

The right European city depends on how you want to spend time there: long weekends, multi-week stays, holiday seasons, or a bit of everything. A few cities come up again and again on shortlists for the best places to buy a second home in Europe.
Notre Dame reflects the cultural icons within easy reach when you own in central Paris.

Paris, France

Paris is the classic choice: world-class food, art, and fashion inside a city you can cross on foot. Neighborhoods like Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Marais are built for walking, gathering, and showing off to visiting friends. Haussmannian apartments with high ceilings and original molding give you a home that feels distinctly Parisian, not generic.
A woman and a young girl stand by the River Thames with Tower Bridge and London's cityscape in the background, encapsulating the vibrant energy and executive lifestyle of the city. This image conveys aspiration, city living, and a sense of place, making it ideal to introduce the luxury and business-oriented theme.

London, England

London is an English-speaking launchpad into the rest of Europe. Mayfair, Chelsea, and Knightsbridge remain anchor neighborhoods for buyers who want Georgian and Victorian townhouse living steps from parks, restaurants, and theater. It is also a natural pick if you travel on business and want a home that doubles as your European base.

Other strong contenders

Lisbon, Barcelona, Florence, Milan, and Amsterdam all earn regular spots on best-of lists. Each one trades sunshine, cost, and cultural flavor differently. The common thread: pick a city you already love visiting, then decide whether you want a full-time solo purchase or a share in a home that is already set up for co-ownership.

How do you choose the best European country to buy a second home?

There is no single best European country to buy a second home. The honest answer is that the best country for you is the one that matches how you want to spend time, what you are comfortable managing from overseas, and which rules you are willing to work inside. A quick side-by-side helps.
CountryBest forTypical second home settingBuyer note
FranceCulture, cuisine, and timeless city livingParis apartments, Provence villages, RivieraStrong rental demand, clear title process
United KingdomEnglish-speaking base close to the rest of EuropeLondon townhouses and flats, Cotswolds cottagesStamp duty and leasehold rules matter
SpainYear-round sun and a lower cost of entryCosta del Sol, Mallorca, BarcelonaPopular with international buyers
PortugalRelaxed coastal lifestyle and friendly residency optionsLisbon, Cascais, the AlgarveCheck current tax regimes before buying
ItalyFood, art, and landscape varietyTuscany, Lake Como, PugliaOlder homes can need renovation
France and the United Kingdom tend to dominate because both have transparent title processes, strong luxury inventory in central cities, and long travel histories with American and global buyers. Spain, Portugal, and Italy often come in close behind for buyers who want more sun and a slower pace.

How does Pacaso's cross-border co-ownership in Europe work?

Pacaso is a luxury second home company that offers fully managed co-ownership of real homes in real cities. You purchase at least one 1/8 share in a property-specific LLC (or the local equivalent structure), share costs with other owners, and get real deeded ownership rather than a timeshare. Pacaso allows buyers to purchase a share (1/8 to 1/2) of a fully managed luxury home through a property-specific LLC, giving them a true real estate asset for a fraction of the cost. You can see the full framework on how fully managed co-ownership works.For international homes, Pacaso layers local expertise on top of that model. International co-ownership simplifies buying abroad and pairs you with on-the-ground Crewmembers who understand French and UK legal, tax, and property rules. They handle the vendor relationships across languages and time zones so your ownership feels like a domestic purchase, even when the home sits in Paris or Mayfair.Practically, that means:
  • Curated listings in top European neighborhoods, not a random MLS feed
  • Local legal and tax guidance aligned with each country's rules
  • A dedicated local property manager who communicates in both languages
  • Fully furnished, design-certified homes that are ready to use from day one
  • SmartStay scheduling so every owner gets a fair share of time
You keep the lifestyle of a second home in Europe. Pacaso quietly absorbs the cross-border complexity in the background.

Where are Pacaso homes located in Europe?

Pacaso's European portfolio is a curated collection of homes in Paris and central London, with more destinations on the horizon. The featured listings show the range of what international co-ownership can look like.

Saint Germain, Paris

Pacaso's Saint Germain Paris home is a corner Haussmannian residence in the 7th arrondissement, with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Juliet balconies, crown molding, AC, and underfloor heating pair with easy walking access to the Musée d'Orsay, cafés, and boutiques.
Saint Germain living area with two white modern couches facing each other with three sets of open french windows.

Mayfair, London

Pacaso's Charles Street Mayfair home is a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom residence just steps from Berkeley Square, Hyde Park, and Bond Street boutiques. It offers hotel-style amenities, a chef's kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, marble baths, heated floors, and Crestron smart-home controls.
Elegant open dining and living area with a set table for six, fresh floral arrangements, paneled walls, and soft natural light.

Chelsea, London

Pacaso's Chelsea Gardens home in central London has 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms across multiple levels. The home is fully furnished and built for entertaining, with a kitchen island, courtyard, outdoor dining, and wine fridge.
In London’s Chelsea Gardens, soft daylight, clean lines and tailored décor create a composed setting for calls, writing and focused work.

What should buyers know about second home costs, taxes, and logistics in Europe?

Cross-border ownership has real complexity. The upside of co-ownership is that you do not absorb it alone.

Purchase costs

Expect local transfer taxes, notary or solicitor fees, and often a foreign-buyer premium on top of the purchase price. In France, notaire fees typically run a few percent of the price. In the United Kingdom, Stamp Duty Land Tax scales with price and buyer status. A Pacaso share means these costs are shared proportionally among owners, not carried alone.

Ongoing costs

Utilities, property management, insurance, local taxes, and maintenance are real line items whether you own a whole home or a share. With co-ownership, each owner pays their portion, and Pacaso handles the vendors and billing. Budgets are transparent and require owner approval, so there are no surprises.

Currency, residency, and travel

Buying a second home in Europe does not automatically confer residency, and it does not require it either. You own a home, you visit it, and you follow local stay limits and tax rules. Some countries offer residency pathways tied to real estate that change over time. Your Pacaso Crewmembers can flag what is currently available so you can plan with your own tax professional.

How does Pacaso make buying a second home in Europe easier?

Owning abroad on your own means managing a purchase in another language, another currency, and another legal system, then maintaining a home you only visit part of the year. Pacaso was built to take that weight off. Through Pacaso's cross-border co-ownership in Europe, you share ownership of a designed, professionally managed luxury second home with a small group of co-owners and a dedicated local team.What you get: a curated home in a neighborhood you actually want to live in, local legal and tax expertise baked into the purchase, equitable scheduling through SmartStay, and a home that is ready to enjoy the moment you land. What you skip: the vendor calls, the paperwork across time zones, the solo furnishing project, and the guesswork of figuring out foreign ownership rules on your own.If you are ready to look at specific homes, you can browse Pacaso's global portfolio of destinations to see current Pacaso homes across Europe and beyond. To understand the mechanics of co-ownership itself, read the most common co-ownership questions new buyers frequently ask about first.

Buying a second home in Europe FAQs

01: Can Americans buy a second home in Europe?

Yes. Most European countries allow foreign ownership of residential property, including France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. Each country has its own legal process, transfer taxes, and documentation requirements. Working with Pacaso or another team that knows the local rules helps you avoid common first-time buyer mistakes.

02: Which is the best European country to buy a second home?

It depends on how you want to use the home. France and the United Kingdom lead for buyers who value culture, central-city living, and transparent title processes. Spain and Portugal appeal to buyers who want more sun and a lower cost of entry. Italy is the pick for buyers drawn to food, landscape, and slower pace, especially in Tuscany and Lake Como.

03: What are the best places to buy a second home in Europe?

Paris, London, Lisbon, Barcelona, Florence, Milan, and Amsterdam consistently top best-of lists. Central neighborhoods in each city (Saint-Germain and the Marais in Paris, Mayfair and Chelsea in London, Chiado in Lisbon) hold their value well and stay rentable year round. Pacaso focuses on these core neighborhoods so owners get homes that match how they travel.

04: How does Pacaso cross-border co-ownership in Europe work?

Pacaso allows buyers to purchase a share (1/8 to 1/2) of a fully managed luxury home through a property-specific LLC, giving them a true real estate asset for a fraction of the cost. You share costs with other owners and get real deeded ownership of a home in a European city. Pacaso handles furnishing, scheduling, and local management.

05: Do I need residency to own a home in Europe?

Owning a home does not require residency in most European countries. You still follow local visa and stay-limit rules when visiting, and tax residency is a separate question from property ownership. Your Pacaso Crewmembers can help you understand the current rules in the country you are buying in.

06: What fees should I expect when buying a second home in Europe?

Expect transfer taxes, notary or solicitor fees, and sometimes foreign-buyer surcharges at purchase, plus ongoing property taxes, utilities, insurance, and management costs. With Pacaso co-ownership, these costs are split proportionally across owners, and Pacaso presents a transparent budget that owners approve together.

07: Can I rent out my Pacaso home when I am not using it?

Pacaso homes are for owners and their guests, not short-term rentals to the public. The model is built around ownership and personal use, with SmartStay making sure every owner gets a fair share of time. If your goal is primarily rental income rather than a home you enjoy, Pacaso is not the right fit.

08: How do I start buying a second home in Europe with Pacaso?

Start by browsing current European listings in Paris and London on the Pacaso portfolio and identifying neighborhoods that match how you want to travel. From there, a Pacaso Crewmember walks you through co-ownership share options, costs, and the local purchase process. The goal is a home you love, with the cross-border details handled for you.

Recommended Articles

1/

Sign up

Get the latest insights and tips.