In the past 10 years the number of companies registered overseas has almost doubled, outlining how investors have been pushed towards that route by the current tax landscape.
There are 91,791 homes owned by overseas companies, while the value of homes has risen from £15.9 billion in 2015 to £125 billion today, analysis from legaltech firm Search Acumen shows.
Jersey is the top location, with £57 billion worth of assets. This is followed by the British Virgin Islands at 21%, Guernsey at 13%, and the Isle of Man at 11%.
Despite this growth, in recent years the number of overseas-owned properties has declined. In 2017 some 6,955 properties were added via an overseas company, while in 2025 that number dropped to 3,171.
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 10-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.”
He added: “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-Bexit, whilst in turn opening up opportunities for more domestic businesses.
“We also saw in August 2022 the Register of Overseas Entities newly require overseas entities owning UK property to declare who their beneficial owners are, which included non-UK companies.
“This move indicated to the wider market a tighter grip on compliance by the government. Whilst reducing anonymity has to be a good thing, it may have in turn deterred some investors.
“This, combined with rising interest rates, higher borrowing costs, falling yields and slow capital growth, has likely made speculative investment less rewarding.”