Kazakh Billionaires’ Picks: Luxury Homes and Islands Abroad

The year 2025 showed a clear segmentation among Kazakhs buying property abroad, reports Forbes. The highest growth in demand was observed in two client segments: buyers with budgets under €100,000 and those purchasing premium properties over €1 million.

Relatively lower-budget buyers are focusing on markets in Thailand, Turkey, and Indonesia, while wealthy individuals are pursuing a different strategy, choosing Europe’s traditional and stable countries.

Experts analyzing deals over €1 million note that Kazakh premium buyers prefer jurisdictions that have proven reliable over time. For them, foreign real estate is not a short-term investment, but image capital and a secure base for comfortable living or future migration.

Geography of Million-Euro Deals

According to the brokerage Tranio, a year ago Kazakh investors showed the most interest in Thailand, UAE, and Turkey. However, in 2025, these markets fell out of focus for high-end buyers.

This year, Kazakh deals exceeding €1 million were mostly concentrated in Europe, with France, the United Kingdom, and Italy becoming the main centers of investment. There were also rare but notable requests for whole islands in Croatia and Greece, with properties starting from €20 million.

In Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf, transactions over €1 million were mostly isolated cases, such as villas on Samui, Bang Tao, or Karon, or multi-unit investment packages in the UAE.

The Appeal of Europe

The dominance of European destinations is tied to the purpose of purchase. Premium clients mainly seek vacation homes or relocation options. Experts emphasize that buying property in Europe is less about immediate returns and more about access to global elite networks, high social status, top universities, and secure property rights.

Key factors for wealthy buyers include:

• Historical and cultural prestige of the location

• Long-term integration, sometimes across generations

• Developed relocation infrastructure (prestigious schools and clinics)

• Language environment

Million-Euro Properties in Europe

In 2025, the average cost of Kazakh elite relocation deals was around €1.2 million, roughly €800,000 higher than typical investment-focused transactions.

In France, Kazakh demand was concentrated on the French Riviera and the Île-de-France region (Paris). These include sea-view apartments and classic 19th-century Parisian buildings, preserving status and inheritable value, while remaining close to financial centers and elite education.

In the UK, the main focus is London, a global financial hub known for legal and political stability. Districts such as Marylebone, Kensington, Hyde, and Regent’s Park attract families seeking top-tier schools for their children.

In Italy, demand is centered on Lake Garda and Tuscany, featuring stone villas, restored farmhouses, and residences with vineyards, reflecting a calm, luxurious lifestyle known as la bella vita.

Kazakh buyers seeking small islands in Croatia and Greece signal absolute financial freedom. Such purchases represent status and the right to a private haven.

Resort areas in Southeast Asia and artificial islands in the Persian Gulf offer high potential returns (6–13% annually) but carry higher risks. For elite investors prioritizing capital preservation, these markets serve mostly as diversification tools.

Nevertheless, large transactions are typically directed toward well-established, infrastructure-rich areas, such as Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, and Saadiyat and Yas Islands in Abu Dhabi. These projects are part of a limited offering by major developer Aldar, headquartered in the iconic Coin Building.