Guides for foreign investors and Brazilians abroad
Legal Risk
Foreign buyers should evaluate counsel on several objective criteria: demonstrated experience with international acquisitions and remote closings; bilingual…
April 5th, 2026 · 1 min read
Inheritance
Probate (inventário) is the judicial or extrajudicial proceeding that identifies heirs, inventories estate assets, settles debts and taxes, and authorizes…
April 2nd, 2026 · 1 min read
Buying Property
Document requirements vary by buyer nationality, civil status, property type, and whether the buyer is an individual or entity. Typical individual buyer…
March 30th, 2026 · 1 min read
Process
Yes. Brazilian property law is largely federal, and a qualified property attorney in Brazil may advise on transactions throughout the country for…
March 27th, 2026 · 1 min read
Legal Risk
A real estate broker (corretor de imóveis) markets property, facilitates buyer-seller introductions, and typically earns commission paid by the seller under…
March 24th, 2026 · 1 min read
Due Diligence
When due diligence reveals liens, unpaid IPTU or condominium fees, registry defects, ownership disputes, construction irregularities, or environmental…
March 21st, 2026 · 1 min read
International
Yes, subject to Central Bank of Brazil regulations, applicable tax clearance, and documentation demonstrating lawful acquisition and valid sale. When a…
March 18th, 2026 · 1 min read
International
Funds remitted from abroad for Brazilian property acquisition must flow through authorized financial institutions and comply with Central Bank of Brazil…
March 15th, 2026 · 1 min read
Legal Risk
Legal risks foreign buyers face in Brazil — hidden debts, invalid ownership, incomplete registrations, tax exposure, construction irregularities, and inheritance disputes.
March 15th, 2026 · 3 min read
Property Management
Condominium fees (taxa de condomínio) are monthly charges paid by apartment and gated community owners to fund building maintenance, staff, security, shared…
March 12th, 2026 · 1 min read
Restrictions
Properties located within 150 kilometers of Brazil's land borders with neighboring countries are subject to additional restrictions under Law 6.634/1979 and…
March 9th, 2026 · 1 min read
Restrictions
Yes. Law 5.709/1971 and related regulations restrict foreign acquisition of rural land in Brazil. Non-resident foreigners and foreign legal entities face…
March 6th, 2026 · 1 min read
International
Legal strategies for Brazilians in the US, Europe, and beyond who want to invest in Brazilian real estate without returning for every signature.
March 5th, 2026 · 1 min read
International
The Hague Apostille is an international certification under the Hague Apostille Convention confirming the authenticity of public documents for use in other…
March 3rd, 2026 · 1 min read
Buying Property
How international buyers acquire, register, and hold real estate in Brazil — legal eligibility, CPF, due diligence, taxes, financing, remote purchases, and cross-border fund transfers.
March 1st, 2026 · 13 min read
Legal Concepts
A power of attorney (procuração) is a legal instrument authorizing another person — typically your Brazilian real estate lawyer — to perform specified acts…
February 28th, 2026 · 1 min read
Legal Concepts
Cartório is the Brazilian notarial and registry office system — a network of legally delegated private offices performing essential public functions.…
February 25th, 2026 · 1 min read
Taxes
IPTU (Imposto Predial e Territorial Urbano) is the annual municipal property tax assessed on urban real estate in Brazil. It is paid to the municipal…
February 22nd, 2026 · 1 min read
Florianópolis
A practical guide for international buyers targeting Florianópolis — CPF, contracts, taxes, and closing steps in Santa Catarina's premium market.
February 20th, 2026 · 1 min read
Buying Property
Closing costs beyond the purchase price typically include ITBI (municipal transfer tax, often two to three percent), notary fees (emolumentos) for the…
February 19th, 2026 · 1 min read
Legal Concepts
The CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) is the Brazilian individual tax identification number issued by the Receita Federal. It is required for virtually…
February 13th, 2026 · 1 min read
Legal Concepts
A private purchase contract (contrato de promessa de compra e venda or similar instrument) binds parties to agreed terms and may accompany an earnest…
February 10th, 2026 · 1 min read
Restrictions
Foreigners can generally own urban beachfront apartments and houses in Brazil, subject to environmental and maritime domain rules that restrict certain…
February 4th, 2026 · 1 min read
Due Diligence
The essential legal checks before buying real estate in Brazil — matrícula, liens, taxes, condominium debts, and urban compliance.
February 1st, 2026 · 1 min read
Inheritance
Yes. Foreign nationals may inherit Brazilian real estate under Brazilian succession law and applicable international treaties. Inheritance does not require…
February 1st, 2026 · 1 min read
Process
Property registration at the Registro de Imóveis typically takes two to eight weeks after the escritura pública is executed and the registration application…
January 29th, 2026 · 1 min read
Buying Property
Yes. Many foreign buyers complete Brazilian property acquisitions without being physically present for every procedural step. Remote purchase is legally…
January 26th, 2026 · 1 min read
Legal Concepts
The matrícula is the official registry transcript of a property maintained at the Cartório de Registro de Imóveis — the Brazilian land registry. It is the…
January 23rd, 2026 · 1 min read
Taxes
ITBI (Imposto sobre Transmissão de Bens Imóveis) is the Brazilian municipal tax on transfer of real property ownership. It is calculated as a percentage of…
January 20th, 2026 · 1 min read
Taxes
Foreign buyers pay the same transaction taxes as Brazilian nationals in standard urban acquisitions. The primary acquisition tax is ITBI (municipal transfer…
January 17th, 2026 · 1 min read
Golden Visa
How foreign investors can align Brazilian property acquisitions with residency pathways — legal requirements, due diligence, and strategic planning.
January 15th, 2026 · 1 min read
Buying Property
Foreigners can obtain mortgage financing in Brazil, but availability is more limited than in North America or Europe. Brazilian banks may lend to foreign…
January 14th, 2026 · 1 min read
Buying Property
Yes. Canadian citizens may acquire urban property in Brazil under the same general rules applicable to other foreign nationals. There is no prohibition on…
January 11th, 2026 · 1 min read
Buying Property
Yes. American citizens can legally purchase urban residential and commercial property in Brazil without special government approval in most cities. The…
January 8th, 2026 · 1 min read