Russian real estate buyers return to the EU: a new influx.

According to data from consulting firm NF Group, Russians have increased their real estate purchases abroad, buying mainly homes in Hungary and Greece - members of the European Union. According to information published by RBC on Wednesday, other popular real estate purchase destinations for Russian citizens are Cyprus, Indonesia and Turkey.

The main purpose of buying a home for 61% of Russians was to obtain a residence permit or citizenship, the report said.

Experts note that this trend is particularly characteristic of Hungary and Cyprus - countries that offer simplified procedures for obtaining residence permits for foreign buyers of real estate.

In Hungary, for example, a foreigner can obtain a permit for''respectively.

Analysts say the increased demand for real estate in the EU is mainly driven by wealthy Russians who see buying a home as a way to move freely across the European Commission after their country was punished with sanctions last year.