Written by Taco Heidinga, IQI Global Strategic Advisor

In 2025, savvy investors are eyeing emerging real estate markets that offer high potential beyond the typical hotspots like London or Dubai.

Destinations such as Malaysia’s Penang and Johor Bahru stand out due to affordable, high-quality developments, improved expat visa schemes, and strategic infrastructure like the RTS rail link to Singapore.

Sri Lanka’s southern coast is rebounding with bargain-priced coastal villas and increasing foreign incentives, while Albania’s budget-friendly Riviera and EU candidacy attract Europeans seeking visa-friendly Mediterranean escapes.

Inland regions of Portugal—Braga, Viseu, and Alentejo—offer tranquility and investment potential as urban prices soar, while Türkiye continues to benefit from its citizenship-by-investment appeal and growing expat communities in lifestyle-rich areas like Antalya and Fethiye.

Meanwhile, North and East Bali emerge as prime alternatives to the overcrowded south, attracting developers focused on eco-villas and slow tourism. These under-the-radar regions share key 2025 investment trends: improving residency policies, booming tourism with digital nomad appeal, expanding infrastructure, and local openness to foreign investors. With stable rental yields and growing dual-purpose markets for both vacationers and remote workers, these locations represent a new wave of global real estate opportunities tailored to evolving investor and lifestyle demands.