Buying Property in the Philippines as a Foreigner: Where to Start and What to Prepare

First, work out what you can legally buy

Direct answer: the Philippine Constitution restricts foreign ownership of land, but condominium units and structures built on leased land can be legally held by foreigners under qualifying conditions - per current law.

What's allowed and where the boundary sits is in what foreigners can and cannot buy. Settle this first, before moving on to unit selection and signing.

Not sure whether what you want is possible? → Yixing helps clarify direction first

The rough order of steps

Direct answer: broadly verify the developer and project, view and select a unit, verify title documents, work through the contract and payment terms, then settle taxes and transfer title - in that order.

The full verification, signing, tax-settlement and transfer process is in what procedures buying involves. A house-and-lot and a condo unit require different things to check at the outset - see can foreigners buy a house and lot.

What documents to prepare

Direct answer: identity and residency documents, documents relating to the source of funds, and the documents needed for signing and transfer are the most commonly required categories.

• Identity and residency. A valid passport plus proof of your current status.
• Source-of-funds documents. To evidence the origin of the purchase funds; the exact form depends on the transaction structure.
• Signing and transfer documents. Required for in-person verification and signing.

The full checklist is in documents needed for buying.

A lawyer before viewing matters more than viewing itself

Direct answer: because ownership structure and legal boundaries are involved, having a licensed lawyer verify your specific plan before you start matters more than going to view units first.

Which steps require a lawyer and cannot be handled by an agent is in do you need a lawyer to buy.

Want your plan clarified before you start viewing? → Yixing helps map out your starting direction

Yixing is a privately registered consultancy in the Philippines (SEC Registration No. CS202009551; BI Accreditation No. CA-202624381-1). This page is not legal advice; ownership ratios, taxes and legal requirements follow current law and should be verified by a licensed lawyer.