The new factory in Trnava - expected to make up to 300,000 cars a year - will create 10,000 new jobs in 2005/6 alone and as the town is just 25 minutes from Bratislava, where prices have been rocketing for the past few years, you can expect a ripple effect there.

New apartments close to major roads and railway links and within 30 minutes' drive of two international airports, are available in the city for as little as £25,000 off-plan.

Only EU nationals are permitted to buy property in the Slovak Republic; non-EU foreigners can only buy property via company, although this is likely to change in time.