Buying land in Canada as a foreigner: Complete UK guide (2026)

Dreaming of building your own home in Canada? You might be thinking of moving there permanently from the UK, looking ahead to retirement or researching investment opportunities.

Whether you have your heart set on homesteading in Saskatchewan, a coastal holiday home in Nova Scotia or a city-adjacent development plot near Ontario - you’ll firstly need to know how to buy land in Canada.

We’re here to help, with a practical guide for UK buyers covering everything you need to know. We’ll look at the legal situation on owning Canadian land as a foreigner, along with info on land prices, fees and taxes. Plus, how to find a suitable plot of land and the pitfalls to avoid as a UK buyer.

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Can I legally buy land in Canada as a foreigner?

Yes, UK nationals and other foreign citizens can legally buy and own land in most provinces of Canada. You’ll still need to check local rules in the province you’re interested in.

A new law passed in 2023 - the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act - effectively bans most foreigners from buying property in Canada until at least 2027.

However, this law no longer applies to land, so non-Canadians are currently permitted to buy vacant land that is zoned for residential or mixed use.¹

Buying land in Canada as a foreigner - a step-by-step guide

Here’s a quick look at the steps involved in buying land in Canada as a UK buyer:

1. Get your finances in order - including getting a mortgage offer (pre-approval) if needed
2. Open a Canadian bank account or an international account in CAD - this can be useful for making transactions later on
3. Find land to buy - use a local estate agent or start your search on online property websites
4. Appoint a solicitor - you can find a list of English-speaking property solicitors on the UK Government website, or search the directory on the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) website.
5. Make an offer
6. Carry out due diligence - your solicitor will do most of the legal checks, but it’s also recommended to consult an architect.
7. Sign the purchase agreement - this is legally binding and outlines the terms and conditions of the sale, along with setting a date for completion. You may also need to pay a deposit at this stage.
8. Close the transaction - this involves signing the final sales contract and registering property title and ownership in your name.
9. Pay all taxes and fees - and arrange a transfer for the final balance owed.

Financing options for buying land in Canada

As well as checking whether you can legally buy land in Canada as a UK citizen, you’ll also need to sort out your financing. There are a few options available, such as:²

• A land mortgage from a Canadian bank or other lender - similar to residential mortgages, but often requiring a larger down payment and having higher interest rates
• A construction mortgage - this is a specialist short-term loan for buying land and building on it, where you make interest-only (or no) payments during the construction phase.
• Agricultural loans - these are loans issued as part of the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) Program, with the aim of helping farmers to set up, improve and develop farms. These may only be available to Canadian residents, however.
• Self-financing - where you have enough funds to buy your property without a mortgage, possibly from the sale or remortgaging of another property back in the UK.

If you need a mortgage to purchase your plot of land, it’s best to get an agreement in principle in place before you start your search.

How much are the land prices in Canada?

As Canada is such a vast country with many provinces and a wide variety of land types, it’s unsurprising that land prices vary depending where you look.

To give you a rough idea of how much you’ll be spending, here are the average prices per acre for land in Canada in 2024:³

It’s worth noting that the above prices are for farmland, so the prices for buying urban plots of land that are zoned for residential development are likely to be quite different.

Where is the cheapest land in Canada?

The cheapest province in Canada for land is Saskatchewan, but you can also find affordable plots in rural parts of Manitoba and Nova Scotia.

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Taxes and fees for owning land in Canada

Alongside the land price, you also need to factor taxes and fees into your buying budget. Here’s a look at the main costs to expect as a buyer:

There is also a non-resident speculation tax (NRST) in some provinces, which can potentially apply to land as well as property. This can be expensive, especially in cities like Toronto which has a 10% tax on top of Ontario’s NRST of 25%.⁶

You may also have these additional costs to pay:

• Mortgage fees - including application, origination/arrangement and valuation fees
• Land surveyor fees
• Architect fees.

How to find a plot of land to buy in Canada

There are a few ways you can find land to buy in Canada. The easiest way is to use the services of a real estate agent, although this is likely to come with a commission fee.

However, a specialist with knowledge of the local property market could be useful in helping you find what you’re looking for, navigate the purchase process and negotiate on price.

You can also start your search online, using popular Canadian property websites such as:

• Realtor.ca
• Centris.ca (Quebec-focused)
• Housesigma.com
• Zillow.com
• Zolo.ca
• REW.ca
• Properstar.

Types of land

You’ll also need to know what type of land you’re looking for.

In Canada, land for sale is categorised as follows:

• Raw land - this is undeveloped land, which may not have access to utilities, sewage or even road access
• Vacant land - this is land that may have been developed before, and may even have vacant buildings/structures on it. It may be connected to (or partially serviced by) utilities such as power and water.

Things to check when buying land in Canada

Before buying land in Canada, there are a few crucial things to check (or have your solicitor check):

• Confirming the title, including any liens/encumbrances and ensuring the seller has the legal right to sell the land
• Zoning restrictions and bylaws in the province - this may affect the intended use as well as the height/style/size of what you can build
• Land surveys to confirm property boundaries, environmental issues such as flood zones, access to utilities
• Requirements for planning approval.

It’s recommended to use professional services to help you, such as an architect/building surveyor and a qualified real estate solicitor.

Can I build on my own land in Canada?

Yes, you can build on your own land in Canada - as long as your project complies with all local restrictions and zoning laws. You will also need to get planning permission and other building permits as required.

Pitfalls to avoid when buying land in Canada

When buying land overseas, one of the biggest pitfalls to watch out for is scams.

The best way to protect yourself is to work with trusted, qualified and credible professionals. This means a realtor and independent solicitor licensed in the province where you’re buying.

Other important things to remember include:

• Do as much due diligence as possible, including investigating local building rules and zoning restrictions - you don’t want to buy a plot, only to find you can’t legally build what you want on it.
• Ensure that the seller has the legal right to sell the property.
• Before committing to a purchase, have your solicitor double-check that you’re legally allowed to buy as a foreigner - local province rules or the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act could block your purchase or cause frustrating delays.
• Get further inspections/surveys carried out on the plot if you have any concerns.

Key takeaways

• While the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act bans most foreigners from buying established housing until 2027, vacant land zoned for residential or mixed-use is currently exempt, allowing UK nationals to purchase plots for development.
• Land costs differ drastically by province. As of early 2026, Saskatchewan remains the most affordable ($1,800 – $3,200 CAD per acre), while high-demand areas in Ontario and British Columbia can reach up to $27,000 CAD per acre for prime plots.
• Foreign buyers must be wary of heavy surtaxes in specific regions. For example, Ontario imposes a 25% NRST, and the city of Toronto adds an additional 10% tax on top of that for foreign purchasers.
• Securing a "land mortgage" from Canadian lenders typically requires a much larger down payment (often 35% to 50%) compared to residential homes. Alternatively, a "construction mortgage" can release funds in stages as building milestones are met.
• It is crucial to identify the land type. Raw land often lacks basic road access, sewage, and electricity, which can lead to massive unforeseen costs for utility connections. Vacant land is more likely to be partially serviced or previously developed.

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Sources used:

1. Thomson Reuters Practical Law - Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act: Review of the Impact of the Recent Amendments to the Regulations
2. ReMAX - The Ultimate Guide to Buying Land for Sale in Canada
3. Darren Sander Realty - How Much Does an Acre of Farmland Cost? Updated Prices Across Canada
4. Properstar - Buying property in Canada as a Brit: 2025 guide
5. Spring Financial - The Average 2026 Property Taxes by Province in Canada
6. KPMG - Toronto's new tax on foreign purchasers

Sources last checked on date: 09-Mar-2026