About Us

Who we are 

A Place in the Sun is synonymous with overseas property; speak to anyone in the UK and the name brings to mind British buyers on TV looking for a holiday home or permanent move to Spain, France, Portugal and beyond. 

The brand was born back in 2000 with the launch of the now house-hold name Channel 4 television programme, created by Freeform Productions, that helped would-be buyers find their dream home abroad. 

Over two decades later, A Place in the Sun has developed into a multiplatform powerhouse: a globally distributed TV series and its spinoffs, an international property-search website in aplaceinthesun.com with more than 100,000 listings, A Place in the Sun Live exhibitions across the UK and Ireland and a regulated A Place in the Sun Currency exchange helping buyers move their funds overseas. Together, we inspire thousands to realise their dream of owning their very own place in the sun. 

Our mission is to demystify buying property overseas and to guide you through every step of that journey. Whether you are searching for a holiday apartment in Spain, planning a permanent move to Portugal or exploring investment options in Florida, we offer trusted advice, expert contacts and practical tools to make your dream a reality. We believe in transparency, responsible buying and putting the needs of our audience first. 

The A Place in the Sun story 

From TV show to household name 

• 2000 – TV debut: A Place in the Sun launched on Channel 4, produced by Freeform Productions, introducing UK viewers to the idea of buying property abroad. Each episode follows British househunters as they view three to five properties within their budget, while presenters such as Jasmine Harman provide local insights on buying, running and maintaining a home overseas. Today, the programme is one of Channel 4’s longest running series and has helped hundreds of people find their dream homes. 

• 2004 – Magazine launch: Our now discontinued magazine debuted as the UK’s leading title dedicated to buying property abroad. Starting life as a monthly publication, it ran as a quarterly publication, reflecting seasonal buying habits until it’s discontinuation during the Covid pandemic. Each issue delivered in-depth market guides, features on at least ten countries, reader success stories and a “property hunt” section. No surprises that the content – properties, where to find them and how to buy them – moved online. 

• 2005 – Live exhibitions: We took our brand on the road with A Place in the Sun Live exhibitions. These shows, held three times a year in London, Manchester and Birmingham, plus a Property Showcase in Dublin, bring together estate agents, lawyers, currency specialists and our famous TV presenters. Recent events drew 5,300 attendees in Manchester, over 5,100 in London and 5,900 in Birmingham, with a boutique show in Dublin welcoming over 2,000 visitors. For anyone considering buying a property overseas, these events are the unique, essential starting point. 

• 2006 – Digital expansion: We launched aplaceinthesun.com to complement the TV show and magazine and make thousands of properties around the world available for view from the comfort of home. The website now lists more than 100,000 properties for sale around the world and offers buying advice, relocation guides and stories from buyers and how they make the most of their purchase. 

• 2019 onward – New spinoffs: The brand format inspired several spinoff shows – Home or Away?, Winter Sun, Summer Sun, Home or USA? and the latest series What Happened Next?. Commissioned by Channel 4 for 2023–2024, the new series revisits families and couples who bought abroad to see how their lives have evolved. 

• 2024 – Currency service expansion: We introduced A Place in the Sun Currency, a dedicated foreign exchange service for international property buyers. Offering competitive rates, no hidden fees and regulated by both the Bank of Spain and the UK’s FCA, we opened our first physical office in Spain in Cabo Roig in June 2024. 

Television 

The long running Channel 4 series follows British househunters abroad and has introduced viewers to sunny destinations across southern Europe and further afield. Buyers view three to five properties within their budget and receive honest, on the ground advice on local buying processes, maintenance costs and lifestyle considerations. At the end of each episode, viewers discover whether the couple makes an offer or chooses a different route. Spinoffs include: 

• Home or Away? – weighing up property options in the UK and overseas. 

• Summer Sun and Winter Sun – exploring seasonal destinations. 

• Home or USA? – comparing European and American dream homes. 

• What Happened Next? – catching up with past participants. 

Our current presenters include Jasmine Harman, Laura Hamilton, Ben Hillman, Jean Johansson, Lee Juggurnauth, Leah Charles King and Craig Rowe. They combine expertise in real estate, broadcasting and travel to help buyers make informed choices. 

Website & property search 

Our website, aplaceinthesun.com, lists over 100,000 properties for sale worldwide. You can search by country, region, price range and property type, whether you’re looking for a beachfront apartment in Spain, a country cottage in France or a villa in Turkey. We have gathered together estate agents, developers, lawyers, currency and mortgage providers and many other services all on one portal to help you make your dream of buying an overseas property a much easier proposition. The site also hosts: 

• Buying guides – detailed country and regional guides, including legal and tax advice. 

• Hot properties – curated selections of luxury, beach, golf or pool properties. 

• Agent directory – find trusted agents by country or region. 

• Editorial content – news articles, expert interviews, market trends and personal success stories. 

Live exhibitions 

• A Place in the Sun Live events offer a one-stop shop for anyone considering buying abroad. Visitors can meet overseas estate agents, legal advisors and currency experts; attend seminars on visas, residency and finance; and talk directly to our presenters. The exhibitions have been running since 2005 and attract thousands of visitors each year. Major 2024 events included: 

• London ExCel, with over 5,100 attendees. 

• Manchester Central, attracting 5,300 househunters. 

• NEC Birmingham, drawing 5,900 visitors. 

• Dublin Property Showcase, welcoming over 2,000 guests. 

Currency service 

A Place in the Sun Currency is a specialist foreign exchange service designed for international property transactions. Our experienced team offers competitive exchange rates, no transfer fees, expert advice and fast, secure transactions. We help you: 

• Secure favourable exchange rates and protect against currency fluctuations. 

• Transfer large sums safely when paying deposits or completing property purchases. 

• Set up regular international payments for mortgages, maintenance or living expenses. 

• Access one-on-one support from regulated currency managers. 

Our service is regulated by the Bank of Spain and the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, giving you peace of mind that your money is safe. 

Our team & partners 

We work alongside international estate agents, legal firms, relocation experts and currency specialists who share our commitment to our house hunters. Together, we offer buyers a network of amazing professionals to support every stage of the overseas buying process. 

Impact & community 

Over the past 23 years, A Place in the Sun has transformed lives. Househunters featured on our show often go on to embrace new lifestyles—renovating barns, running B&Bs, rewilding land or simply enjoying a slower pace of life in warmer climates.  

Visitors to our exhibitions describe them as “one-stop shops” that provide comprehensive, tailored information. Many say the events saved them weeks of research and helped them find the answers they needed. We’re proud of the community we’ve built—TV viewers, website users and event attendees who share a passion for finding a place in the sun. 

FAQs 

Below are answers to common questions about our brand and services. If you have a question not listed here, please contact us directly. 

1. What is A Place in the Sun?

A multiplatform brand that began as a Channel 4 TV programme in 2000. Today, it encompasses a property search website with more than 100,000 global listings, live exhibitions, spinoff TV series and a regulated currency exchange service. 

2. How does the TV show work?

In each episode, British househunters view three to five properties abroad within their budget and receive practical advice on local buying processes and lifestyle considerations. The presenters help them weigh up their options, and viewers learn whether the couple makes an offer or continues the search. 

3. How can I watch the show or apply to take part?

Episodes are broadcast on Channel 4 and More4, with catch-up options online (via the Channel 4 streaming platform and various TV services). To apply, visit our “Apply to be on TV” page and fill out the application form.  

4. Where do you list properties?

Our website covers Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Florida, Cyprus, Turkey and many other destinations. Each property listing comes from independent estate agents and developers, and you can search by region, price, property type and features. 

5. What happens at A Place in the Sun Live exhibitions? 

Held three times per year in London, Manchester and Birmingham with a Dublin showcase and also recent showcases in Ascot and Bristol, these events let you meet estate agents, legal experts, currency specialists and more; attend seminars; and even get advice from our presenters. Recent shows attracted between 5,000 and 5,900 visitors. 

6. What is A Place in the Sun Currency?

Our currency exchange service offers competitive rates, no transfer fees and expert guidance. We help buyers lock in exchange rates, move large sums securely and set up regular payments. The service is regulated by the Bank of Spain and the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority. 

7. How do I advertise my property or services?

We offer advertising opportunities on our website and at live events. To discuss packages, please contact our sales team via the “Advertise with us” page. 

8. Do you provide legal or relocation advice?

While we don’t offer legal services ourselves, our website and events connect you with independent local lawyers, tax advisers and relocation specialists. You can also download free buying guides that cover legal, financial and cultural considerations for each market. 

9. Who regulates A Place in the Sun Currency?

The service is regulated in Spain by the Bank of Spain and in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority, ensuring your transfers are safe and compliant. 

10. How do I contact you or follow your updates?

Please use the “Contact” link on our website for email, telephone and postal details or chat with us on our Live Chat function in the bottom right hand corner of the webpage. Follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for news, property showcases and behind the scenes updates.