Over the past 10 years there has been a 92% increase in the amount of property listed under overseas company ownership across England and Wales according to Search Acumen.

There was 47,787 properties registered overseas in 2015, compared to 91,791 in 2025 and those properties are worth over £125bn.

Andrew Lloyd, Director at Search Acumen, said: “The size of property wealth currently under ownership by overseas companies is eye watering, doubling in a decade. Whilst there are some gaps and inconsistencies in the data from its source through government records, it is widely indicative of wider investor trends and system that can and does protect the world’s most wealthy.

“However, it is telling that the number of properties purchased by overseas-based companies are falling, currently at a ten-year low. This tells us two things; that either investors and the wealthy are buying assets and storing capital outside the UK, which is a troubling sign that our global appeal may be in decline, or that our property transaction system is becoming more stringent, noting increased transparency measures and anti-money laundering regulation in recent years deterring illicit purchases. 

“The likely answer is a bit of both. We know that the UK’s exit from the EU had huge economic consequences, including on the property industry. New taxes and rules for overseas investment has played a critical role in the decline since 2022, seen as a less attractive place post-Brexit, whilst in turn opening up opportunities for more domestic businesses.”

Jersey is the top country on the register with the highest volume and value of properties currently registered under overseas company ownership, holding £57bn worth of assets. This equates to a significant 25% of all properties registered under overseas company ownership, followed by the British Virgin Islands at 21%, Guernsey at 13%, and the Isle of Man at 11%.