Freehold Land

  1. Malaysia: Foreigners can own freehold land, except for heritage properties (e.g., colonial-era shophouses). Minimum price thresholds (e.g., RM1 million in some states) and state approval may be required. The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program offers residency through property investment.
  2. South Korea: Foreigners can buy land, particularly in designated areas like Jeju Island, where a $1 million investment can lead to residency. Restrictions may apply in major cities like Seoul or Busan unless normal residency channels are followed.
  3. Taiwan: Foreigners can own land freely, but property ownership doesn’t grant residency rights, and high prices and low rental yields make it less attractive for investment.
  4. New Zealand: Australians face minimal restrictions due to reciprocal agreements, but other foreigners can buy land with some limitations, particularly on “sensitive land” under the Overseas Investment Act.
  5. Fiji: Foreigners can buy limited freehold land with the Minister of Lands’ consent, often requiring construction within a set timeframe.
  6. Malta: Non-EU nationals can buy property, but outside Special Designated Areas, an Acquisition of Immovable Property (AIP) permit is needed. Residency or citizenship by investment programs is available.
  7. United States: No citizenship or residency requirement exists for land purchases. Foreigners enjoy the same property rights as citizens, except near borders for security reasons.
  8. Canada: Foreigners can buy land, except for residential properties until January 1, 2027, under the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act. Commercial land is unrestricted. Each province sets its own rules.
  9. Turkey: Foreigners can buy land, except in military, strategic, or security zones. Restrictions limit foreign ownership to 10% of a town’s area or 30 hectares nationwide, and development plans must be submitted within two years for land purchases. Citizenship by investment is available for $400,000 in approved real estate.
  10. Saint Lucia: Foreigners can purchase property with no residency requirement. A $300,000 minimum investment in approved real estate qualifies for citizenship by investment.
  11. Vanuatu: Foreigners can buy leasehold land (50–75 years). No residency or citizenship is required, and there are no annual property, income, or capital gains taxes.
  12. Costa Rica: Foreigners have the same property rights as locals, with a $150,000 investment qualifying for investor residency.
  13. Spain: Foreigners can buy property freely, with a $500,000 investment qualifying for the Golden Visa program, leading to residency and potential citizenship after 10 years.
  14. Portugal: No restrictions on foreign property ownership, though real estate no longer qualifies for the Golden Visa program as of 2024.
  15. Greece: Foreigners can buy property, with a €250,000 investment in certain properties (e.g., converted or restored) qualifying for the Golden Visa, leading to residency and citizenship after seven years.
  16. United Arab Emirates (UAE): Foreigners can buy property in designated areas (e.g., Dubai, Abu Dhabi) with no income tax. A $400,000 investment in approved projects qualifies for a long-term visa.
  17. Argentina: No restrictions on foreign ownership, except near borders, which requires additional paperwork.
  18. Bahamas: Foreigners can buy land but must register purchases with the Foreign Investments Board. Special permits are needed for land over 5 acres or for rental/commercial use.
  19. Anguilla: Foreigners can buy up to half an acre with an Alien Landholding License, requiring construction within 18 months. A $750,000 investment grants permanent residency.
  20. Barbados: Foreigners can buy land, with no specific restrictions noted, and it’s popular for U.S. investors.
  21. Turks and Caicos: Foreigners can buy land, especially in developed areas like Providenciales, with no citizenship requirement.
  22. Brazil: Foreigners can buy property, with permanent residency available through real estate investment (amount tied to 350 times the national minimum wage, ~$335).
  23. Antigua and Barbuda: A $400,000 real estate investment qualifies for citizenship by investment, with no residency requirement.
  24. Dominica: Citizenship by investment is available with a $200,000 real estate purchase, plus additional government fees, with a three-year holding period.
  25. Namibia: Foreigners can buy land in approved locations (e.g., President’s Links Estate) for residency through investment.
  26. France, Germany, Italy, UK: No restrictions on foreign property ownership, except for military or border areas.
  27. Japan: Foreigners can own land without restrictions.
  28. Georgia: Foreigners can buy non-agricultural land freely.

Countries Where Foreigners Cannot Own Land

  1. China: Land is state- or collectively-owned. Foreigners can only lease land, not own it.
  2. Indonesia: Foreigners cannot own freehold land but can hold long-term leasehold titles (e.g., Hak Pakai or Hak Guna Bangunan) for 20–99 years. Ownership through a foreign-owned company (PT PMA) is possible.
  3. Philippines: The 1987 Constitution prohibits foreigners from owning land. They can buy condos, lease land long-term, or own property through a corporation (up to 40% foreign ownership).
  4. Thailand: Foreigners cannot own land under the Land Code Act. Options include long-term leases (30–90 years), owning condos (up to 75% of a building), or using a Thai-registered company (49% foreign ownership).
  5. Nigeria: Foreigners cannot own land but can access leasehold arrangements.
  6. Vietnam: All land is collectively owned by the state. Foreigners can lease land (up to 50–70 years) but cannot own it.
  7. Cambodia: Foreigners cannot own land under the Constitution. They can lease land or own buildings above ground level (e.g., condos).
  8. Georgia: Foreigners cannot own agricultural land since the 2017 constitutional ban, only non-agricultural land.
  9. Kuwait: Foreigners (except GCC nationals) cannot own land, only lease it for up to 30 years.
  10. Maldives: Foreigners cannot own freehold land, only lease it for up to 99 years.
  11. Mongolia: Only citizens can own land; foreigners can lease it.
  12. Myanmar: Foreigners cannot own land but can lease it for up to 70 years with a Myanmar Investment Commission permit.
  13. Cuba: Foreigners cannot own land.
  14. North Korea: Foreigners cannot own land.
  15. Switzerland: The Lex Koller Law restricts foreign land ownership, requiring authorization. Purchases are limited to specific cantons (e.g., Valais, Vaud) and resort properties, with caps on property size (200 sq m) and land area (1,000 sq m).
  16. Denmark: Foreigners face strict eligibility requirements and need special permits to buy land.
  17. Liechtenstein: Only residents can buy land.
  18. Andorra, Hungary, Iceland, Poland: Foreigners need approval from local authorities to buy land.
  19. Finland: Foreigners cannot buy property on the Ă…land Islands.
  20. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia: Non-EU/EEA citizens are prohibited from buying agricultural land.
  21. Mexico: Foreigners cannot buy land within 31 miles of the coast or 62 miles of borders (restricted zone) unless through a fideicomiso (bank trust) or Mexican corporation. Ejido (indigenous) land cannot be owned by foreigners.
  22. Montenegro: Foreign land purchases for development are capped at 5,000 sq m.
  23. Sri Lanka: A 100% transfer tax effectively prevents foreign land ownership, though long-term leases or condo purchases (above certain floors) are possible.
  

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