Top destinations for Brits moving abroad including one you would never expect – with homes from £128k and year-round sun

BRITS dreaming of a new life abroad have revealed their favourite spots to settle down this summer, and one entry on the list might raise a few eyebrows. New research from property giant Rightmove has ranked the overseas destinations Britons are searching for the most, with the sun-soaked Algarve in Portugal keeping its crown as the number one hotspot for the second year running. Topping the overall rankings is the Algarve, according to Portugal’s National Statistics Institute, with a median home price of around £351,165 Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Paphos in Cyprus takes second place, with homes fetching a median asking price of roughly £513,900 Credit: Alamy Stock Photo But while familiar favourites like Cyprus and Spain dominate the top ten, it is Normandy in France that stands out as the surprise inclusion, offering homes for as little as £128,000, according to regional property data. Estimates based on Notaires de France data put Normandy’s price per square metre at around €2,525 (£2,163), with the average home going for roughly €240,000 (£205,560), making it one of the more affordable options on the list. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Topping the overall rankings is the Algarve, where the average price per square metre sits between €3,400 (£2,912) and €3,600 (£3,083), according to Portugal’s National Statistics Institute, with a median home price of around €410,000 (£351,165). In second place is Paphos in Cyprus, where the Central Bank of Cyprus and RICS Cyprus Property Price Index show typical homes fetching a median asking price of roughly €600,000 (£513,900). Mallorca takes third spot, according to Idealista, with entry-level homes on the island typically starting above £428,250 Credit: Alamy Stock Photo The Dordogne in France ranks fourth, and remains one of the more affordable rural options, with Notaires de France data putting the average home price at around £201,278 Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Mallorca takes third spot, with prices in the capital Palma averaging around €5,484 (£4,698) per square metre, according to Idealista, meaning entry-level homes on the island typically start above €500,000 (£428,250). The Dordogne in France ranks fourth, and remains one of the more affordable rural options, with Notaires de France data putting the average home price at around €235,000 (£201,278) and the median at €185,000 (£158,453). Alicante in Spain comes in fifth, with typical homes selling for around £218,258 Credit: Alamy Stock Photo The Costa del Sol takes sixth place, but it is far pricier than its neighbours, with typical homes fetching around £564,464 Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Alicante in Spain comes in fifth, with INE and Idealista figures showing an average price per square metre of €2,570 (£2,201) and typical homes selling for around €255,000 (£218,258). The Costa del Sol takes sixth place, but it is far pricier than its neighbours, with a median price per square metre of €4,727 (£4,049) and typical homes fetching around €659,000 (£564,464), driven up by luxury properties along the coast. Most read in Money Crete in Greece ranks seventh, with homes typically ranging from £274,080 to £556,725 Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Corfu follows in eighth place, with typical homes costing between £214,125 and £642,375 Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Crete in Greece ranks seventh, with the Bank of Greece and Spitogatos Property Index showing an average of €2,456 (£2,105) per square metre, and homes typically ranging from €320,000 (£274,080) to €650,000 (£556,725). Corfu follows in eighth place, where town centre prices range from €3,000 (£2,570) to €3,700 (£3,169) per square metre, with typical homes costing between €250,000 (£214,125) and €750,000 (£642,375). Murcia sits in ninth, with typical homes selling for between £128,475 and £214,125 Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Normandy takes tenth spot, with the average home going for roughly £205,560, making it one of the more affordable options on the list Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Murcia sits in ninth, where average prices per square metre range from €1,700 (£1,456) to €1,881 (£1,612), with typical homes selling for between €150,000 (£128,475) and €250,000 (£214,125), making it the cheapest region on the list. Normandy rounds off the top ten, offering a quieter alternative to the more crowded southern hotspots. When it comes to countries rather than specific regions, Spain remains the most searched-for destination overall, followed by France and Italy. Cyprus, Portugal and Greece complete the top six, while Malta, Ireland, Bulgaria and Gibraltar make up the remainder of the top ten countries. Nick Robertson, Rightmove’s director of overseas, said: “Whether it’s a permanent move, a second home abroad or more casual summer browsing during the holidays, we’re seeing that many British home-hunters are still drawn to familiar favourite destinations.” He added: “Sunshine, lifestyle, and the cost of living continue to attract many to consider an overseas move.” Mr Robertson continued: “For those thinking seriously about buying abroad, summer can be a really key time to explore what different locations have to offer, from the type of homes available to practical considerations of moving overseas or buying a holiday home.” He said: “We often hear from people that they head to Rightmove during their summer break away to see what a permanent move or more regular visit could look like.” Comment now