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Family-Friendly Homes for Sale Abroad

Thinking about a home abroad for the whole family? Every property here is rated family-friendly by INTRIC, from apartments to villas with room for everyone.

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The essentials

Family-friendly homes: Everything to know

Moving a family means thinking about visas, health cover, and school. These six facts show what to check before you buy.

  • Under 25Sponsoring family in the UAE

    UAE residents can sponsor a spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25, and children with special needs for a family residence visa. The sponsor must have a minimum salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.

    Why it matters: Visa rules can shape who lives in the home. The relevant UAE authority can confirm who can be sponsored and for how long.

  • Sponsor paysHealth cover for families in Dubai

    In Dubai, sponsors must arrange health insurance for the dependants living with them.

    Why it matters: Health cover can be a regular family cost. An insurer can confirm what a policy includes and which clinics it covers.

  • Ages 6 to 16Schooling in Spain

    Basic education in Spain is free and compulsory between the ages of six and 16, and foreign children under 16 have both the right and the duty to attend.

    Why it matters: Families moving to Spain may wish to look at local schools alongside the home.

  • 4 dependantsLong-Term Resident visas in Thailand

    Thailand's Long-Term Resident visa lets a holder bring a spouse and children under 20, up to four dependants in total. Each dependant needs health cover or funds that meet the visa rules.

    Why it matters: Visa rules can shape plans for a long stay. Thailand's Board of Investment sets out the current conditions.

  • 6 monthsChildren travelling to South Africa

    South Africa requires unaccompanied minors of any nationality to show set documents at the border on request. A parental consent letter can be no more than six months old.

    Why it matters: This can matter if a child travels without a parent. The Department of Home Affairs sets out the documents required.

  • 1 card eachEuropean health cards

    Anyone insured under an EU public health scheme can use a European Health Insurance Card for medically necessary state healthcare on a temporary stay. Each family member should have their own card.

    Why it matters: Eligibility depends on your insurance. The card is separate from travel insurance, and a health insurer can confirm whether you qualify.

Sources: the UAE government portal, Spain's Education Law, Spain's Foreigners Law, Thailand's Board of Investment, South Africa's Department of Home Affairs, and the European Commission.

Compare your options

Family-friendly homes: Compare markets

Here are the six largest markets on this page, with their homes and where starting prices begin.

UAE1,409 homesStarting prices begin at AED 357,983.
See the UAE pageSee homes
Spain836 homesStarting prices begin at EUR 131,250.
See the Spain pageSee homes
South Africa387 homesStarting prices begin at ZAR 900,000.
See the South Africa pageSee homes
Thailand150 homesStarting prices begin at THB 2,390,000.
See the Thailand pageSee homes
Croatia94 homesStarting prices begin at EUR 306,700.
See the Croatia pageSee homes
Portugal43 homesStarting prices begin at EUR 170,000.
See the Portugal pageSee homes

Family-friendly ratings are INTRIC's own. Prices come from each listing and can change. This table is general information rather than financial or legal advice.

For the full list of countries with family-friendly homes on INTRIC, see our FAQs.

Keep reading

Want to learn more about moving with your family?

These INTRIC guides explore three places to consider when you move with your family, and what life there is like.

Frequently asked questions

Family-friendly homes: Your questions answered

Clear answers to help you plan your purchase.

What counts as a family-friendly home on this page?

All the family-friendly homes for sale abroad on this page carry INTRIC's family-friendly rating. They range from compact apartments to large villas, so check the number of bedrooms and the layout with the seller, and you will soon see which ones fit your family.

Why should I consider a family-friendly home abroad?

Some of the best family memories start with a new front door. The children run ahead to claim their rooms. Breakfast moves outside. Afternoons turn into swimming lessons, bike rides, and new friends from down the road who stay for dinner. A few years on, the place you first found on a screen is where they grew up feeling at home in the world.

To find the right home, look at four things: whether the space will still work as your children grow, how close schools and healthcare are, how safe and welcoming the neighbourhood feels, and which visa lets your whole family stay. Get those right, and the rest tends to fall into place.

Which countries have family-friendly homes for sale on INTRIC?

You can explore family-friendly homes in 18 countries, so you can compare several places before you decide:

  • UAE
  • Spain
  • South Africa
  • Thailand
  • Croatia
  • Portugal
  • Albania
  • UK
  • Germany
  • New Zealand
  • France
  • Slovakia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Montenegro
  • Australia
  • Fiji
  • United States
  • Indonesia

The UAE, Spain, and South Africa have the most homes on this page, so they are a useful place to start your search.

How do I choose the right size of home?

Think about how your family will live in five years as well as today. Count the bedrooms you need, then look at storage, outdoor space, and somewhere for the children to study or play. If relatives will visit often, a guest room or separate apartment can make those stays much easier.

What should I look for in the neighbourhood?

Spend a day there if you can. Try the journey to school and to the nearest clinic, walk to the park or shops, and notice how the streets feel in the evening. Talking to families who already live nearby will tell you things no listing can.

Can my family live with me abroad?

Often they can, but the rules depend on the country and your visa. Ask an immigration adviser who can join you, for how long, and what income or insurance you will need, so your whole family can plan the move with confidence.

What extra costs should I plan for?

It helps to budget for school fees, family health insurance, community fees, and childcare as well as the purchase price. Ask for a full year of running costs for the home, so you know what family life there will cost.

Your next step

Found a family-friendly home you would like to know more about?

Every listing connects you directly with the developer or agent selling it. Open the property you love and press Contact to ask about pricing, availability, and whether it has the space your family needs.

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