Buying or Selling Property in Brazil as a Foreigner

Yes, foreigners can own property in Brazil — and the transaction can be done entirely from abroad. What separates a good purchase from an expensive lesson is the legal work around it: due diligence at the registries, a properly documented currency exchange, and a closing conducted by someone who answers to you, not to the deal.

Talk to Luiz Barros See how it works

Common situations

Who this practice serves

You found a property in Brazil — a beach house, an apartment, an investment — and want to buy it safely, possibly without traveling
You own Brazilian property and live abroad — and want to sell it and receive the proceeds in your country, cleanly
You rent out a Brazilian property from abroad and need the legal and tax side structured — lease, representative, monthly withholding
Your purchase is also your path to residency — you are combining the property with a Brazilian investor visa
You inherited Brazilian property and need to understand what owning — or selling — it from abroad involves

How it works

How a remote purchase works

The same structure applies, adapted, to sales. You can be present at closing — but you do not have to be.

CPF and groundwork

We obtain your Brazilian taxpayer number (CPF) and set up the power of attorney that lets the firm act for you in Brazil.

Due diligence

Title chain, liens, seller's legal and tax situation, condominium and municipal debts — everything examined before you commit a single cent.

Funds and contracts

We coordinate the international transfer through the regulated exchange system and negotiate and review the purchase documents.

Closing and registration

The deed is executed at the notary and registered at the real estate registry — the step that actually makes the property yours under Brazilian law.

After closing

Municipal registrations, utilities, lease structuring if you will rent it out — and clear guidance on your ongoing obligations as a foreign owner.

Scope

What this practice covers

Full legal due diligence on the property and the seller

Powers of attorney for remote transactions (consular or apostilled)

Legal coordination of the international funds transfer and its documentation

Closing at the notary and registration at the real estate registry

Capital gains planning and execution when a non-resident sells

Rental structuring for non-resident landlords, integrated with the monthly tax routine

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner buy property in Brazil?

Yes. Foreigners can own urban real estate in Brazil in their own name, whether or not they live in the country. The essential requirement is a CPF (Brazilian taxpayer number), which can be obtained without being a resident. Special restrictions apply to rural land and properties near the border, which require specific analysis.

Do I need to be in Brazil to buy or sell?

No. The entire transaction can be done remotely through a power of attorney — granted at a Brazilian consulate or executed abroad with an apostille, depending on the case. We draft the instrument, indicate exactly which powers it must contain, and conduct the closing at the notary on your behalf.

What should be checked before I sign anything?

Brazilian real estate due diligence covers the property's title chain and liens at the registry, the seller's personal and tax situation, condominium and municipal tax debts, and — in some cases — labor and court claims that could reach the property. Skipping this step is the single most expensive mistake foreign buyers make.

How does the money get into (and out of) Brazil?

Purchase funds must enter Brazil through the regulated foreign-exchange system, and the way that entry is documented determines how smoothly you can repatriate the proceeds when you sell. We coordinate the legal side of the currency exchange with the transaction itself, so the paper trail protects you at both ends.

What taxes are involved when a non-resident sells property in Brazil?

The sale of Brazilian property by a non-resident triggers capital gains tax — as a rule at 15%, with technical debate about progressive rates for larger gains — plus the obligation to appoint a representative in Brazil responsible for the payment. The rules differ from those applied to residents, and online information in English is frequently contradictory on this point. We calculate, plan and execute the tax side of the sale.

Related practices