Buying Property in Brazil as a Foreigner 2026: CPF, Escritura, Cartório and ITBI Guide

Foreigners can purchase urban property in Brazil on the same terms as Brazilian citizens. This is possible with a CPF, which is a taxpayer registration number available to any foreign individual, even non-residents. A CPF allows foreign buyers to buy and hold properties, rent them out, or sell them whenever they choose, without any minimum investment thresholds, waiting periods, or ownership caps.

The main legal distinction comes with rural land, which is subject to a 25% foreign ownership cap per municipality and a 100 modular fiscal (módulos fiscais) ceiling. Some rural properties near national borders may also require additional authorization.

Before buying, foreigners must obtain a CPF, open a Brazilian bank account (either individually or through an escrow arrangement with a lawyer), find the property through national listing portals like Zap Imóveis, Viva Real, or OLX Imóveis, and work with a licensed real estate agent. The purchase process involves signing a promissory contract, conducting due diligence to verify ownership, property taxes, and any legal issues, then signing the Escritura Pública at a cartório (notary) to make the sale official. Finally, the deed must be registered with the local Registro de Imóveis to become legally yours.