Fear of a New Mobilization Wave Drives Russians to Mass-Buy Property Abroad.

Surge in Overseas Real Estate Interest

According to Espreso.tv: Across Russia, a sharp rise in demand for foreign property is being linked by experts to fears of further war escalation and the possibility of a new military draft. In the first half of 2026, inquiries about purchasing homes outside Russia jumped 20% compared to the latter half of 2025. This shift reflects a growing unease among the population and a desire to secure safer living conditions.

When including Russians currently living abroad or those using VPNs, the increase in overseas real estate inquiries reaches 25%. These figures indicate that many people are actively exploring emigration options amid mounting political tensions. Specifically, the prospect of a mobilization announcement following the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 2026 is fueling this sentiment.

Property Demand by Country

This trend is particularly pronounced in certain nations. For instance, demand for real estate in Georgia has doubled year-over-year, while Greece saw a 46% rise and Cyprus a 63% spike. These numbers show that Russians are increasingly viewing these countries as promising destinations for property investment.

• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• Thailand

These three countries remained the most popular choices for Russian buyers in the first half of 2026. They continue to attract investors seeking to acquire property in more stable regions. The growing interest in foreign real estate from Russia may signal a broader public desire to find alternatives amid domestic uncertainty.

The surge in overseas property purchases reflects the general mood among Russians, who are looking for ways to ensure their safety and stability in the face of political unpredictability. This could impact real estate markets both within Russia and in the countries becoming new investment hotspots. Future emigration trends and shifts in the political landscape may further intensify this pattern moving forward.