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Buying property in Brazil as a UK foreigner
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Thinking of buying property in Brazil? You might be looking for a holiday home or investment property, or perhaps you’re moving there from the UK for work. You may even be lucky enough to be retiring in Brazil. Whatever your plans, you’ll need the lowdown on buying property in Brazil as a foreigner.
We’re here to help, with a comprehensive guide covering everything you need to know - including info on mortgages, fees and taxes, the latest Brazilian property prices and pitfalls to avoid.
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Can you get a mortgage from a Brazilian bank as a non-resident?
First things first, you’ll need to think about how you’ll finance your Brazilian property purchase. Unless you have the cash upfront, you’re likely to need a mortgage.
Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to get a mortgage from a Brazilian bank or other provider as a non-resident. Most require applicants to have permanent residence status, or at least a valid work visa.¹
If you do manage to find a bank that will offer you a home loan, you’ll need to provide extensive documentation to prove you meet what will likely be strict acceptance criteria.
You may also need a larger deposit - of around 30% to 50% of the property value - compared to local applicants. Interest rates are likely to be higher and loan terms shorter too.¹
If you do need finance, it’s important to start shopping around for mortgages before starting your property search in earnest.
It’s a really good idea to use a broker specialising in international buyers, who can help you find the right mortgage for your circumstances. Simply having someone on your side who speaks Portuguese and really understands the system can pay dividends.
Taxes and fees for owning property in Brazil
In order to set your budget for the purchase, you’ll need to factor in legal fees, property taxes and other costs.
Here are the main ones to know about when buying property in Brazil:
| Tax/fee name | Rate/fee |
|---|---|
| Legal fees | 1% to 2%² |
| Transfer tax - Imposto de Transmissão de Bens Imóveis Inter Vivos (ITBI) | 2.4% to 3%² |
| Notary fees | 0.5% to 2%² |
| Property registry fee | 0.5% to 1%³ |
| Property tax (annual) | 0.3% to 1%⁴ |
Alongside these, you may also need to pay:
- Mortgage valuation and arrangement fees
- Building survey fees
- Translation and notarization costs for your documents
The costs for these can vary, so it’s important to do your research and get quotes early - so you can budget for them.
| Read more: Cost of Living in Brazil |
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What’s the property market like in Brazil?
The Brazilian property market is enjoying a period of robust growth, where both demand and construction activity have increased significantly. House prices have also increased by nearly 8% in April 2025, compared to the year before.⁵
The highest rises were seen in Fortaleza and Salvador (where prices increased by over 20%), followed by major cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasília.⁵
What this means as a buyer is that you may have to pay a little more for your dream Brazilian property, although you could see a good return on investment as the housing market is projected to grow further.
If you’re looking to buy a property to rent out, yields in Brazil are moderately good - averaging at around 5.28%.⁵
Can foreigners buy property in Brazil?
Yes, foreign nationals can buy property in Brazil, and you don’t need to live there either. You’ll just need to make sure you apply for your special taxpayer ID number, the *Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas *(CPF).
The only restriction is for rural properties, which can only be purchased by foreigners if they have a Brazilian residence visa and live permanently in the country.⁴
Can you buy property in Brazil and get residency?
Brazil is one of a number of countries with a ‘Golden Visa’ scheme, which allows foreign citizens to gain residency through making an investment in the country. This includes investing in property.
It’s known as Visa de Residência Permanente por Investimento (VIPER), and requires an investment in real estate of at least 1,000,000 Brazilian real (BRL).⁶ This is around £138,691 in GBP.
You can also get a 30% discount if you buy property in specific real estate projects in the north and northeast of Brazil.⁶
Meet these and other conditions and you can get a permanent residency visa, which can provide a pathway to citizenship after four years.⁶
So if you’d like to move abroad and live in Brazil permanently, this could be the route to follow.
| Read more: Brazil Digital Nomad Visa |
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How much are the property prices in Brazil?
Now we come to the all important question - how much money do you need to afford your dream home in beautiful Brazil?
According to cost of living database Numbeo, the cost of buying an apartment in Brazil is a whopping 70% to 74% cheaper per square meter than the UK - depending whether you buy inside or outside a major city centre.⁷
Although of course, it depends on the type of home and the exact area you’re buying in.
To narrow it down a little further, here’s a guide to what you can expect to pay per square metre in some of Brazil’s major cities:⁷
| City | Average apartment price per sq.m - city centre (BRL) | Average apartment price per sq.m - outside city (BRL) |
|---|---|---|
| São Paulo | 15,222 | 11,617 |
| Florianópolis | 14,284 | 8,999 |
| Rio de Janeiro | 14,276 | 6,832 |
| Fortaleza | 13,375 | 5,386 |
| Brasília | 13,375 | 8,966 |
| Curitiba | 11,320 | 8,098 |
| Belo Horizonte | 10,309 | 4,963 |
| Recife | 9,591 | 5,214 |
| Porto Alegre | 8,099 | 6,416 |
Another thing to note when figuring out the price for property in Brazil is that international transfers could get expensive, especially if the bank or provider adds a margin to the exchange rate to convert your pounds to Brazilian real.
Consider checking out Wise to securely handle your large transfers with mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees*.
Where is the cheapest place to buy property in Brazil?
The cities of Recife and Porto Alegre tend to be much cheaper than the likes of Rio and São Paulo.
But you may also want to check out the north and northeast regions of the country, where it's possible to find extremely affordable property.
Buying property in Brazil as a foreigner - a step-by-step guide
Before you start your house hunt, it can be useful to know a little about how the process of buying property works in Brazil.
Here’s a quick overview of the steps involved:
1. Get your finances in order
Before you do anything, it’s a smart idea to get your finances sorted. This means setting a budget, getting a mortgage offer (approval in principle) and getting all your paperwork together.
You might also want to open a Brazilian bank account, for easier facilitation of transactions relating to the purchase and mortgage.
2. Get your CPF
In order to buy property in Brazil as a foreigner, you’ll need your Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas (CPF) tax number.
You can get this online at the Receita Federal (Federal Revenue Service) website, or through a Brazilian consulate or embassy in the UK. If you’re already in Brazil, you should be able to get it at local post offices or branches of certain banks.
3. Find a property and arrange viewings
Now it’s time to start searching for your dream home. You can use online property portals and/or local estate agents to find properties. We’ll run through some tips later on how and where to start your search.
If you’ve found somewhere you like, arrange a viewing as soon as you can, and start researching the area in the meantime.
4. Appoint a solicitor
While it’s not mandatory, it’s a good idea to find and appoint a property lawyer with experience in both the Brazilian real estate market and working with foreign buyers.
They will check over and translate all documents and contracts, as well as carrying out due diligence on the transaction.
You can find a list of English-speaking property solicitors on the UK Government website.
5. Ask to see the property certificate (Matrícula)
If you’re serious about a property and ready to make an offer, it’s recommended to first ask to see a copy of the property certificate (Matrícula) from the Real Estate Registry Office (Cartório de Registro de Imóveis).
This is the property’s legal identity card, which contains key details such as:
- Details and history of ownership
- Any outstanding debts, encumbrances or legal disputes
- The exact location
- Boundaries of the property and land.
Requesting and reviewing this document is something your solicitor can assist with, along with carrying out other due diligence checks.
6. Get a survey
Just before you make an offer, you might want to get a building survey carried out. This involves hiring a surveyor to check the property for structural or other issues.
If the survey flags anything up, you may be able to negotiate on price when putting in your offer.
7. Make an offer
With important checks complete, the next important step is to submit a competitive offer to the estate agent, or to the buyer directly. You can negotiate, just like in other countries.
8. Sign the Purchase and Sale Agreement
If your offer is accepted, the next step is for both parties to sign the purchase and sale agreement. You’ll also arrange a transfer for the deposit, which in Brazil is usually around 5% to 15% of the purchase price.⁴
At this stage, you might want to contact your mortgage provider to finalise the financing for your purchase.
9. Closing
The final stage is to work towards closing, which involves:
- Solicitors for both parties completing all remaining legal checks and paperwork
- Translating all documents into Portuguese, ready for registration
- Paying registration fees and taxes
- Registering your property with the Real Estate Registry Office
To close the deal, you’ll need to attend a meeting at the Real Estate Registry Office. The title deed (escritura) will be read aloud, and signed by both parties.
The title deed will be transferred to your name and you’ll arrange a transfer for the remaining balance.
After all that’s done, you’ll get the keys to your new home.
Read more: How to buy and finance a house abroad (UK guide)
How can you find a property in Brazil?
The two main routes to find property to buy in Brazil are local real estate agencies and online property websites.
Property agencies and agents in Brazil
It isn’t necessary to use a real estate agent to find a property to buy overseas, but it could be very helpful.
If it’s the first time you’ve bought a property in Brazil, then a specialist buying agent or broker might offer helpful advice and insight into the local market.
However, there will usually be a fee to pay for this service, and you should make sure any agent you use is licensed and registered with the Regional Council of Real Estate Brokers (CRECI).
Property websites in Brazil
The best way to get a head start on finding a place to buy in Brazil is to look online. Great websites to find a house or a flat to buy include:
- Zap Imóveis
- Viva Real
- QuintoAndar
- Imovelweb
- ChavesnaMao.
What are some of the pitfalls of buying property in Brazil?
One of the main things to watch out for when buying property in Brazil, or in any foreign country, are scams.
To avoid scams and other pitfalls, make sure to get local advice and recommendations for a broker. You should also check for membership of a professional body when working with any property experts, brokers or agents.
Another potential pitfall relates to payments, for your deposit, balance and other fees. Many sellers in Brazil won’t accept payments from foreign banks - without authorisation from the Central Bank of Brazil.⁴ So you might need to open a local bank account and direct payments through there.
Other important things to remember include:
- Be cautious and do your homework (including meeting or speaking to the seller) before sending money or a deposit.
- Ensure that the seller has the legal right to sell the property - along with carrying out other due diligence checks
- Get an inspection/survey carried out if you have any concerns about the property.
How do you choose the right property in Brazil?
Your dream home in Brazil will be the one that closest fits your search criteria. The most important factors will be location, the type of home and of course, how much you can afford to spend.
If you’re not already living there, it’s worth making a trip to the specific town or city in Brazil you’re interested in.
You’ll want to check out the local area and view properties, making sure to pay attention to local transport links and amenities.
Condition of the property
It’s a good idea to do as much research as possible before committing to purchase a property.
A crucial step is checking the *Matrícula *and other land registry information to check the legal status of the property, as well as if any debts, charges, building conditions or other restrictions are registered against it.
You’ll also want to commission a building survey or inspection, which will flag up any major issues and give you a better idea of what you’re buying.
Type of property
Brazil offers a variety of different property types, ranging from city centre apartments and condos to traditional style houses (casas). There’s also a great choice of holiday homes there, including beachfront villas and charming guest houses known as pousadas.
You may prefer to buy a new build from a developer, but if you’re after authentic style then a resale property is the better choice.
If buying an older property though, you may need to factor in some budget for renovations.
If you’re buying in a city, an apartment or condo is likely to be the best choice in terms of location and local amenities.
Moving into your Brazilian property
Before you can get the keys to your new home, you’ll have a few key tasks to run through.
Insurance
It’s strongly recommended to take out a buildings insurance policy starting from your completion date. In fact, you might find it's a mandatory condition of your mortgage offer.
Setting up utilities and bills in Brazil
If you know when your completion date will be, it makes sense to get some essentials set up in advance of moving in.
A prime example is utilities, such as heating, power and water. Get these sorted as early as you can, and the moving process should be a little smoother.
Renovating property in Brazil
For some properties, some building work or improvements may be needed before you can move in.
Our guide to building and renovating property abroad covers everything you need to know, from planning permission to finding a local builder - and some of the main costs you can expect.
Save on currency conversion fees with Wise when buying property in Brazil
After reading this guide, you should have all the essential info you need to start your property search in Brazil. This includes those crucial first steps such as finding a broker and searching online property portals, and getting your finances in order.
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Additional FAQs about buying property in Brazil
Do foreigners pay tax in Brazil?
Yes, if you live there permanently then you’ll pay the same rates of income and other tax as Brazilian nationals. Non-residents are taxed on Brazilian-sourced income alone.
Is buying property in Brazil a good investment?
Buying property in Brazil can be a good investment, thanks to the robust growth in the country’s real estate market, affordable prices, few restrictions for foreign buyers and moderate rental yields.
However, you should also weigh up the risks carefully before investing, and seek professional advice.
Where do most Brits live in Brazil?
You’ll find most British expats living in major cities such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. However, the cities of Curitiba and Florianópolis are also becoming increasingly popular with expats.
Sources used:
- Jarniascyril - Real Estate Financing in Brazil: A Practical Guide
- Global Property Guide - How to Buy Property in Brazil as a Foreigner
- Oliviera Lawyers - Real Estate Closing Costs in Brazil: A Comprehensive Guide
- Remitly - Buying a Property in Brazil: Your Complete Guide
- Global Property Guide - Brazil's Residential Property Market Analysis 2025
- La Vida Golden Visas - Brazil Golden Visa & Investment Programme
- Numbeo - Cost of Living Comparison Between United Kingdom and Brazil
- Numbeo - Prices by City
Sources last checked on date: 21-Jan-2026
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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