The 8 easiest countries to buy property as a foreigner

Buying property abroad can be challenging, especially in countries with strict legal restrictions and countries that demand due diligence. Numerous foreigners choose to buy property abroad since many foreign real estate markets offer promising returns on property investments.  If you are interested in buying property overseas, we have compiled the eight easiest countries to buy property as a foreigner.

Mexico

Mexico is one of the countries that allows foreigners to buy property. However, there are restrictions if the properties fall within the “restricted zones”. Article 27 (I) of the 1917 Constitution states that foreigners are prohibited from directly owning property within 100km of international borders or 50km of shorelines. For foreigners to own properties within these areas, a fideicomiso can be applied, a bank trust fund that gives foreigners indirect ownership of restricted land through a trustee.

Besides the legal requirements of buying restricted properties for foreigners, buying property beyond the restricted zone is straightforward. The country does not limit the number of properties you can own and does not require a specific visa for foreigners. You can also purchase any type of real estate, including land, making Mexico one of the easiest countries to buy property as a foreigner.

Portugal

Portugal is considered the cheapest country to buy a property in Western Europe. It is the easiest place to buy a house, with an average house price of €1,454 ($1,562) per square meter and an average land price of €2,536 ($2,724) per square meter. There are no legal restrictions for foreigners buying properties in Portugal or minimum purchase price requirements. The buying process is generally straightforward, making Portugal one of the easiest countries to buy property as a foreigner. Moreover, Portugal is the easiest country to get a mortgage since the Portuguese banking system allows foreigners to apply for property loans. 

Spain

Spain is one of the easiest countries to buy property as a foreigner with open mortgage access. Many financial institutions have introduced special mortgages for non-residents, opening the door for a global audience to invest in the Spanish housing market. Spain is also the easiest place to buy a house in Europe, and with a tax registration number, you can purchase and own any type of property, including land. Spain is also considered a cheap country to buy European properties, with an average square meter price of €4,000 ($4,296). Buying a house in Spain is straightforward, making it one of the easiest countries to buy property as a foreigner.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), is one of the easiest countries to buy property as a foreigner. The UAE’s real estate market is considered one of the best in the world, with its residential real estate market forecasted to reach a value of $0.41 trillion by 2024. This growth potential attracts many foreigners looking to invest in the real estate industry. Foreigners can buy and possess freehold ownership on properties in UAE’s “freehold zones”. Outside those zones, non-UAE citizens can only apply for tenancy to own properties for a period, not including the land on which these properties are built. However, this restriction does not apply to citizens residing in Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain.

Peru

There are many countries that allow foreigners to buy property in South America, and Peru is one of them. Peru welcomes foreign real estate investments since the government has no legal restrictions on foreign property ownership, meaning non-Peruvian citizens can purchase any real estate without minimum price requirements. It is one of the easiest countries to buy property as a foreigner. However, there are exceptions since foreigners and Peruvian citizens cannot acquire or possess properties directly or indirectly within a distance of fifty kilometers from borders. As for coastal properties, specific regulations may be imposed for environmental and cultural preservation purposes depending on the location.

Canada

Canada is one of the easiest countries to buy property as a foreigner since there is no residency or citizenship requirement for buying and owning property in Canada. However, exceptions exist mandated in the “Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act,” also known as the foreign buyer ban. Effective from January 1, 2023, to January 1, 2025, this Act prohibits the purchase of residential properties located within the census metropolitan area (CMA) or a census agglomeration (CA). Outside these areas, foreigners can freely purchase real estate properties.

Germany

If you are buying property overseas, you might want to check Germany because it is one of the easiest countries to buy property as a foreigner.  Germany has an open real estate market, allowing foreigners to purchase any property, including land, houses, apartments, and condos. Moreover, Germany’s real estate industry is promising, with a residential real estate market size estimated at $372.77 billion in 2024, and the sale of residential property amounted to around $4 billion in 2023.

New Zealand

Buying property abroad can be daunting, but New Zealand is one of the easiest countries to buy property as a foreigner. Foreigners are generally allowed to purchase New Zealand properties except for existing residential properties. The foreign buyer ban introduced in 2018 prohibits foreigners from purchasing existing residential properties. However, Singaporean and Australian buyers are not subject to this ban. Foreigners can apply for a residence class visa to purchase land, off-plan or new residential properties, and build homes in New Zealand. 

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