The seventh largest country in the world, and second highest in terms of population, India has a rich blend of history and cultures. With increasing investment, the economy is growing rapidly, and despite recent increases in property value the prices are still very low.

Click here to read the World of Property interactive i-mag FREE

Country Profile
Capital City: New Delhi
Area: 3,166,414 km2
Population: 1.12 billion
Time Zone: IST (+5 hrs)
Country dialling code: +91
Currency: Indian Rupee

Climate
India's climate is as diverse as its population - from tropical in the south to winter snow in the Himalayan north. Water is a major feature in India, with several major rivers crossing the country, but most notably the summer monsoon season between June and September, which accounts for most of the annual rainfall.

Country Highlights:
Such a diverse country is difficult to summarise in few words - with over 5,000 years of history and with many waves of migration throughout that time, India has absorbed a plethora of languages, customs, religions, arts and more. This has made the country a consistently popular tourist destination.

Accessibility
With major international airports in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, India is easily accessible from most destinations.

Internally there are regular bus routes, and a regular, if somewhat complex rail system.

Permanent Move
Short term visa's are available for 6 month periods for tourism, business and employment within India, with longer periods being available depending on circumstances.
Permanent residency and citizenship require naturalisation (through 12 years residence), or relation to/marriage to an Indian citizen.

Buying property in India
While there are still some fairly strict regulations in place regarding purchase of property in India, the process isn't too difficult. A non-resident of India can purchase property (other than agricultural/farm houses etc) but to register ownership with the government you will be required to have either spent 6 months as a resident or have a registered business in India.

Currently many properties are sold off-plan with an 'agreement to buy' contract, between the buyer and developer, which gives the buyer full ownership rights until they complete the sale deeds.

Destination Hot Spots
Goa
Stunning beaches and high tourism make Goa a hot destination for investors. Originally a Portuguese colony, the area still retains some of its European influence making it markedly different from the rest of the country.

Mumbai
While presenting excellent opportunities, Mumbai is regarded as being expensive. Identified as the commercial and financial capital of India, property is in high demand. However, the selection of available properties is as diverse as its population, and with a fantastic public transport network no area is out of reach.

Search for property in India

Related article about property in Goa:
Property ready to Goa

Useful websites:
Incredible India (official tourism site)
India Government

Article first published 3 July 2007