Latest figures from the various government agencies who monitor Brits abroad reveals that there are some 1.528 million of us living overseas and 389,000 of who own a second home outside of the UK too.
So even if you take the cautious view that half of Brits overseas rent, we own some 1.15 million properties ouside the UK, a total which every year rises by some 40,000 as, even during a recession, people ship out to sunnier climes.
Property revolution
If there's one organisation that can claim to have played a major role in this extraordinary property revolution it is Channel 4's A Place in the Sun and at the end of next month its 'Live' exhibition, run by the same people who publish the magazine, is due to come to London.
From March 31st to April 1st Earls Court in west London will be thrumming to the sound of people eager to buy an overseas property, catered for by hundreds of agents, developers and other experts in the field. And three of the best-known presenters from the series will there too - Amanda Lamb, Jonnie Irwin and Jasmine Harman, appearing both on the main stage at regular interviews during the show and on the main floor meeting visitors too.
Got a question?
Advice will be on hand by the paella, pizza and tagine-load. The show is organising specialist advice on France, Florida, Italy, Portugal, Cyprus, Spain, Turkey plus many other destinations, and PrimeLocation.com's property analyst Nigel Lewis will be on the main stage too - bringing his experience to bear on the best places to buy at the moment. PrimeLocation.com will also have a booth at the show, if you'd like to drop by and say hello or have a query on buying or moving overseas.
If you would like to attend the show then A Place in the Sun are offering free tickets to PrimeLocation.com users - which otherwise will cost £12 each if you buy them at the door on the day. See you there!