The new survey by estate agents Fastighetsbyrån found that ten percent of residents in Malmö, Gothenburg, and Stockholm already own a holiday house abroad. A further ten percent plan to join their ranks in the next five years.

“The main reason for this choice is to be in the sun, and to have a swim, but culture and food are also important features,” Fastighetsbyrån spokesman Johan Vesterberg told The Local.

A new report found out that Turkey had tumbled in the ratings for potential holiday homes. Survey respondents cited the recent unrest and concerns about the country’s human rights records as reasons to stay away from the Turkish property market. Some 34 percent specifically mentioned recent turmoil in Istanbul as a turn-off. Almost four of ten Swedes ruled Turkey out as a second-home location, and 36 percent of people who want to buy a second home in the next five years specifically said recent events had made the country less attractive.

Some 1,000 Swedes aged 35 to 65 were interviewed about their plans to buy a second home abroad in the next two to five years. Six percent plan to buy a house within the next two years years, while four percent put the deadline at five years.

The political context was important not only for Swedes’ attitude to Turkey, but also in relation to Spain – still Swedes’ number one holiday home market.

“Sinking housing prices, a strong Swedish krona, and cheap flights means the interest in buying homes in Spain is at a record high,” Fastighetsbyrån’s Spain and France head Daniel Nilsson said in a statement.

The survey also noted that younger Swedes were increasingly interested in second homes abroad, a market which has previously been dominated by older would-be buyers.

Vesterberg said that France, the second most popular, was a traditional pick for Swedes scouting the property market abroad, because the country is already well-known to Swedes. Accessibility was also key, he said.

“They go to Cannes, for instance, because it is easy to get there. And the Cannes Film Festival gives a positive image to the place, but good communications is more important,” Vesterberg told The Local.

The survey showed that Portugal was on the rise among Swedish holiday home seekers, hitting third spot on the most favourite list, as was Croatia, sneaking up on fifth place behind number four Italy.

Elodie Pradet

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