First of all it is important to note that German law there does not differentiate between German and foreign property owners. You have the same legal rights and obligations as a German citizen regarding your property.

There is no time limit placed upon the ownership of property in Germany. Should you own property in Germany, then it is legally protected. You may own the property your whole life and it can legally be inherited by your children.

The running costs are relatively small. You can expect costs of no more than €3,500 per year for a medium-sized, well isolated detached house, including costs and charges for electricity, heating, water, waste disposal, property taxes and building insurance - should you be using the property only as a holiday retreat and not residing there permanently.

In Freiburg and the surrounding area the property prices are relatively high in comparison to other cities, yet this is merely a sign for the popularity of the region and the growth it is also experiencing. Property prices in Freiburg have been rising for years and you can be certain that the value of your property will not decrease in the future.

Due to the extremely high demand for rental property, you can expect your property to be rented out quickly, if that is your wish.

Since 2015 citizens of the United Arab Emirates require no visa for countries which have signed up to the Schengen agreement, allowing you to visit your property at any time and without a visa, and spend up to 3 months at a time enjoying your perfect holiday. Other citizens of the Gulf region usually also have no problems in obtaining tourist visas for the E.U., especially when they own property here. However, the ownership of property does not mean that you automatically obtain the right to reside here permanently.

It has to be said that the main reason to purchase property in this region is quite simply the city of Freiburg. You are only a stone's throw away from Germany's biggest theme park - Europa Park (30km). Your children will be absolutely enthralled. Just an hour's drive takes you to the renowned Rhine falls in Schaffhausen. The Feldberg mountain (1493m) is nearby and the Schauinsland cable cars which carry you twenty minutes up to the summit of Freiburg's nearest peak is only ten minutes drive from the centre. Freiburg's old town with its cathedral is almost 800 years old an attraction in itself. And don't forget that just 45 minutes away is the Swiss city of Basel, and in less than an hour you reach Strasbourg in France. The Black Forest is also, of course, a popular tourist destination, with places such as Titisee offering the chance to unwind. Many small towns and villages offer fresh milk, cheese or eggs direct from the farms.

Winter lovers also simply have to come to Freiburg with skiing on the door step for sometimes more than four months in the year. There's plenty of snow on the surrounding hills and mountains. The Christmas market from the end of November to the end of December with its familiar atmosphere is always worth a visit. And then there are the carnival or "Fastnacht" celebrations in February where people dress up and parade together for at least a week.

All in all you can say that the region is absolutely perfect for an annual holiday or two. There are always new places, things and attractions to discover.

And should you wish to venture to other European destinations from here, Freiburg is a hub from which you can reach many of Europe's important cities easily. Paris is only three and a half hours journey by train. Milan is a 4 hour drive when the traffic flows normally. Zurich is just one and a half hour's drive. Geneva takes just three hours by car.

Freiburg's region also has a very well-developed infrastructure. It's possible to fly directly and daily from the Emirates or Saudi Arabia to Zurich. The airport is just one and a half hours from Freiburg. Should you be arriving by plane from a European destination, then Basel-Mulhouse airport is ideal. The airport is only 45 minutes away from Freiburg by car.

And even if you fly to Frankfurt directly from a Gulf state, you'll be in Freiburg in two hours by express train, directly from the airport.