Stefan Singeorzan, mayor of the village of Feldru in northern Romania, points to a half-built five-storey house and says: “Three years of working abroad to get this far. Another four to finish it off.”

Nearby stand three freshly completed homes – one painted yellow, one pink and one red – all fitted with modern kitchens and bathrooms and double-glazed windows to keep out the Transylvanian winter. Around Feldru there are scores more, blocking views of the surrounding wooded hills and awaiting the return of their absentee owners.