The global travel hubs turned property hotspots 

Milan, Italy
Right at the heart of Europe, Milan has long been a magnet for financiers and fashionistas – but since the Expo of 2015, it has evolved into a truly global city. Its success is due in part to Italy’s flat tax on global income, which was introduced in 2017 and has drawn hundreds of multimillionaires from overseas. Yet that’s not the whole story, according to Danilo Orlando, Savills head of residential for Italy.

“We are seeing many more people move here for work – in finance, pharmaceuticals, fashion and tech,” he says. Americans lead the way, followed by British, French and Swiss nationals. 

Milan’s proximity to the Italian Lakes and the Alps has long been a draw, and next year the city is co-hosting the Winter Olympics with the upscale ski resort of Cortina, which will further raise its global profile.

Private members’ clubs are catering to this new breed of resident – Soho House Milan is due to open in 2026 – and there is a growing number of international schools. Arrivals favour the elegant neighbourhood of Brera and the city centre for proximity to restaurants, art hubs, shopping and schooling. 

Dubai, UAE
A global crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia, Dubai has undergone an extraordinary transformation in recent years and is now the business and tourism epicentre of the Middle East.

Home to the world’s busiest international airport, the city has become a leading relocation destination for high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs and property investors. Explaining why Dubai tops the Savills Executive Nomad Index for 2025, Andrew Cummings, head of residential agency for the Middle East, says: “From tax efficiency and high-speed connectivity to lifestyle, safety and ease of doing business, the UAE delivers what today’s mobile professionals are looking for.”

Dubai also offers year-round sunshine, world-class hospitality and high-quality healthcare. Families seeking to put down roots are drawn to the emirate by its exceptional education options, with 168 international schools to choose from. 

The city’s most sought-after residential areas are evolving, Cummings says, with Dubai Hills, Jumeirah Village Circle and Damac Hills now surpassing longtime favourites such as Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Business Bay.

Nice, France
From Belle Époque resort town to bustling capital of the Côte d’Azur, Nice has become not just a convenient place to linger, but a desirable destination in its own right. Where once buyers might have moved swiftly on to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat or Cannes, now many are opting to live in Nice and work remotely. The American market, in particular, delights in the city’s walkability, as well as its authentic restaurants, jazz bars and the regenerated area of Le Port.

“Nice has a unique blend of year-round activity, along with a seafront location, an almost downtown airport, theatre, opera, a football stadium, international schools and high-speed internet. Plus, Italy is only 45 minutes away by car,” says Alex Balkin, executive director of Savills French Riviera.

Large-scale improvements to Nice’s Italian-inspired architecture include newly greened streets and La Coulée Verte, a 20-hectare park in the centre. Tourism, healthcare, technology and finance underlie its business ecosystem, all helped by the city’s strategic location on the south coast of France.

Sought-after neighbourhoods, says Balkin, include exclusive Mont Boron, patrician Cimiez, central Musiciens and the family-orientated areas around Fabron, west of the city centre. 

Málaga, Spain
Seen for many years simply as the gateway to the Costa del Sol, the city of Málaga has blossomed into a vibrant cultural and business hub.

The pedestrianised streets of its historic centre now buzz not just with visitors, but with remote workers, and an increasing number of international schools have helped Málaga to earn a reputation as one of the best cities in the world for expats. The area also hosts the Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía, widely known as the “Spanish Silicon Valley”, a thriving hub of innovation.

“Málaga has successfully leveraged its natural lifestyle and cultural wealth to position itself internationally as a city of significance,” says José Félix Pérez-Peña, head of Savills Andalusia. “This appeal has attracted global companies offering their employees a quality of life that few places in the world can match – all at a cost of living still lower than in most European cities.” The top residential areas for newcomers are Málaga Este, on the coast, and Teatinos-Puerto de la Torre. The city’s western area is now the most sought-after, with many exclusive new developments, while Soho remains attractive for its central location.

DANILO ORLANDO, HEAD OF RESIDENTIAL, SAVILLS ITALY
danilo.orlando@savills.it

ANDREW CUMMINGS, HEAD OF RESIDENTIAL AGENCY, SAVILLS MIDDLE EAST
andrew.cummings@savills.me

ALEX BALKIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAVILLS FRENCH RIVIERA
ABalkin@savills.com

JOSÉ FÉLIX PÉREZ-PEÑA, HEAD OF SAVILLS ANDALUSIA
Jose.Perez-Pena@savills.es