India
South & Southeast Asia180 independent articlesGoa beaches and Himalayan hill stations — largely closed to non-resident foreigners.
India's vacation-property scene centres on Goa (beaches), the hill stations (Himachal, Uttarakhand, the Nilgiris) and heritage Rajasthan. Crucially, non-resident foreign citizens generally cannot buy property under FEMA rules — the market is effectively open to NRIs/OCIs (people of Indian origin) and residents. Agricultural land is restricted even for many of them.
Can foreigners buy?
Restricted: non-resident foreign nationals cannot buy under FEMA; NRIs/OCIs may buy residential/ commercial (not farmland/ plantation). Foreigners resident 182+ days may buy with RBI conditions.
Taxes & buying costs
Stamp duty 5–7% + registration ~1%; annual municipal property tax (low); rental income taxed; capital- gains tax on sale.
What makes it unique
Vast domestic tourism and heritage variety — but property is largely off- limits to non-Indian foreigners.
1
Most prestigious places to own
North Goa (Assagao, Anjuna)
India's boho-luxe villa capital; Portuguese-style estates.
₹5cr–₹40cr
Portuguese-villa / designer home
Lutyens' Delhi & South Mumbai
The subcontinent's most expensive urban addresses.
₹15cr–₹200cr+
Heritage bungalow / sea-view flat
Kasauli / Landour (Himalayas)
Colonial hill-station cottages with cachet.
₹3cr–₹20cr
Hill-station cottage
2
Best income potential from vacation renting
Goa (Assagao–Vagator belt)
India's hottest villa STR market; strong season yields.
₹2cr–₹15cr
6–10% gross
Villa with pool
Rishikesh / Himalayan foothills
Yoga-and-wellness tourism short-lets.
₹1cr–₹6cr
6–9% gross
Riverside cottage / villa
3
Picturesque farms & rural tourism properties
Coorg & the Nilgiris
Coffee and tea plantation estates (buying rules are strict).
₹2cr–₹25cr
Plantation / agritourism
Coffee/tea estate
Kerala backwaters (Alleppey)
Heritage homes and spice/paddy farms; homestay tourism.
₹1cr–₹10cr
Homestay / spice farm
Backwater homestay / farm
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Indicative 2025–26 planning bands for screening only, not quotes and not advice. Holiday-let licensing, tax and foreign-buyer rules change frequently — confirm locally with a lawyer and tax adviser before buying.