India is now the third most preferred global destination for real estate investment, with nearly $3.5 billion in foreign inflows recorded in the first half of 2024 alone (Fortune India). This surge reflects a decisive shift in global investor perception. Once considered an emerging bet, India now represents a structurally solid, strategically vital real estate destination, particularly in the office, warehousing, and high-end residential sectors.
This shift in the re-evaluation of the country’s real estate landscape is driven by multiple factors: global confidence in India’s economic resilience, the pace of urbanisation, expanding infrastructure pipelines, and a maturing regulatory framework that aligns better with international investor expectations.
The data underscores one clear trend: global investors now view India’s premium real estate as a structural, long-term opportunity, not a cyclical or opportunistic play. Several macro and sector-specific fundamentals are reinforcing this confidence:
Together, these factors are positioning premium real estate in India as a long-term growth story with reliable income visibility, making it especially attractive for institutional and sovereign funds seeking stability, scale, and yield stability.
The growing institutionalisation of the Indian property market is one of the key drivers behind this capital influx. Institutional investments touched USD 1.0 billion in Q1 2024, with foreign capital accounting for 55% of these inflows (Economic Times).
What’s significant is the changing composition of this capital. While domestic investor participation has increased from 24% in Q1 2023 to 45% in Q1 2024, foreign funds remain the dominant force, driven by long-term confidence in India’s market fundamentals.
As this institutional capital takes shape, it is increasingly being directed towards high-yielding segments, most notably the commercial office sector and emerging urban growth hubs.
The office sector has been the biggest beneficiary of this renewed investor focus, accounting for 57% of total investments in Q1 2024 (USD 0.6 billion), with over two-thirds of this capital coming from foreign investors (Hindustan Times).
Cities like Hyderabad and Pune are emerging as standout performers, collectively attracting over 50% of investment inflows in Q1 2024. These top cities for real estate investment in India are drawing interest not just for their commercial office spaces, but also for high-growth industrial and warehousing segments, sectors now firmly on the global fund radar.
While commercial assets continue to anchor foreign capital, a parallel surge is underway in India’s luxury residential segment, driven by lifestyle shifts, global mobility, and the growing appeal of branded living.
With rising affluence among India’s HNIs and growing global mobility of NRIs, luxury homes are no longer viewed as secondary investments, they are evolving into primary global assets. This redefinition is drawing sustained foreign interest into branded residences, gated luxury enclaves, and premium high-rise developments across key urban centres.
NRIs accounted for nearly 15%-25 % of investments in newly launched residential projects across India’s top seven cities (The Hindu). This evolving buyer behaviour is also reflected in the rise of branded residences. The segment is projected to grow at 11–12% in 2025–26, reflecting deepening investor confidence (Business Standard).
Together, the momentum across commercial and residential segments highlights a clear investment direction. Capital is moving with purpose, towards assets with long-term value and proven fundamentals.
At Squarea, we combine global investor sensibilities with deep-rooted market intelligence. Whether you’re allocating institutional capital or expanding a private portfolio, we offer strategic guidance to ensure every investment decision is aligned with long-term performance.
To explore premium investment opportunities across India’s top-performing markets, connect with our team at hello@squarea.io or call +91 90 9641 9641.
As real estate transforms into a truly global asset class, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are increasingly looking beyond their home countries to diversify and protect their wealth. While capital appreciation and rental yields remain important drivers, today’s cross-border investors are equally motivated by the legal and lifestyle advantages tied to property purchases—especially the opportunity to obtain residency through investment.
Known widely as “Golden Visa real estate,” citizenship and residency by investment programmes allow individuals to secure long-term residency or a second passport by making qualifying investments, often through real estate. For many HNWIs, these programmes are no longer peripheral—they have become core instruments in structuring a global real estate investment strategy, enabling international mobility and planning multi-generational succession.
In fact, 22% of global ultra-high-net-worth individuals now cite citizenship and residency access as a key driver behind international property investments, according to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2024. This data underscores a fundamental shift—real estate investment is no longer just about the property, but the strategic global access it can enable.
Real estate today is not just about asset appreciation—it is a vehicle for global leverage. When aligned with residency-by-investment programmes, the investment becomes multidimensional, unlocking legal, financial, and lifestyle advantages. Here’s how:
Among the most attractive options globally, UAE real estate investment visa policies—especially in Dubai—stand out for their investor-friendly structure and alignment with capital preservation goals.
Among the most compelling examples globally is the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai. The city’s 10-year Golden Visa real estate programme—available to property investors with a minimum investment of AED 2 million—has attracted a growing wave of Indian and global HNWIs.
This unique alignment between policy and real estate makes the UAE real estate investment visa programme a standout choice in the global HNWI landscape.
The role of citizenship and residency programmes in real estate is no longer secondary. They have become primary tools within a global real estate investment strategy—combining yield, legal benefits, mobility, and future security. For today’s global investors, aligning portfolio decisions with these programmes offers a powerful blend of diversification and resilience.
At SQUAREA, we help HNWIs and NRIs identify real estate opportunities that go beyond yield—assets that deliver legal advantages, mobility potential, and wealth preservation. Whether your goal is to invest in Dubai, expand into the UK, or tap into emerging hubs in Asia, our team ensures your property purchase is backed by legal insight and investment foresight.
Explore global investment opportunities that align with your citizenship and residency goals. Contact us at hello@squarea.io or call +91 90 9641 9641 to start your cross-border investment journey.
In a globalised investment landscape, cross-border real estate has emerged as a reliable vehicle for wealth diversification. Increasingly, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are looking beyond domestic markets to access more resilient currencies, stable rental yields, and stronger legal protections.
However, international property investment from India comes with a different set of rules, both financial and legal. Navigating these intricacies of international property acquisitions requires meticulous planning and informed decision-making.
To understand why global real estate for HNWIs continues to attract Indian investors, it’s essential to first examine the key drivers behind this growing appetite for cross-border investments.
Indian UHNIs are rapidly expanding their investment horizons. According to Knight Frank’s The Wealth Report 2024, 32% of Indian UHNIs are considering property investments in global gateway cities (The Economic Times). This shift is not driven solely by returns—it reflects a broader strategy to diversify wealth.
While Indian luxury real estate continues to see strong domestic momentum, cross-border real estate investments offer distinct strategic advantages. These include
As this appetite grows, so does the need for informed planning. The next critical step for investors is to understand the legal and financial requirements for overseas property ownership.
Every international real estate market operates within its own set of legal frameworks, investment permissions, and ownership regulations. Understanding these frameworks is foundational for safeguarding both capital and ownership rights.
A strong financial plan is essential when investing across borders. Even a high-yield property can lose its appeal if poorly structured. Here are the key financial elements you must assess:
Some destinations are more accommodating to Indian investors due to longstanding economic ties or regulatory clarity. These include:
Each market operates under its own set of legal and financial requirements for overseas property. Aligning your destination with your investment priorities—whether yield, capital growth, or lifestyle access—is key to making the right move.
Cross-border real estate, when approached with strategic clarity, can become a powerful extension of your wealth portfolio. From legal due diligence and tax structuring to market selection and risk planning, every aspect demands precision. With the right partners and a research-led approach, Indian HNWIs can unlock global opportunities with confidence and control.
At SQUAREA, we specialize in guiding investors through the intricacies of international property investment from India. Our team of experts provides tailored advice to ensure your investments align with your financial goals and comply with all legal requirements. For personalised assistance, contact us at hello@squarea.io or call +91 90 9641 9641. Let’s explore global real estate for HNWIs together!
