Weimer Law

Legal Insights & Articles

Guides for foreign investors and Brazilians abroad

What should I look for when hiring a real estate lawyer in Brazil

Legal Risk

What should I look for when hiring a real estate lawyer in Brazil

Foreign buyers should evaluate counsel on several objective criteria: demonstrated experience with international acquisitions and remote closings; bilingual…

April 5th, 2026 · 1 min read

What is probate and when is it required for property in Brazil

Inheritance

What is probate and when is it required for property in Brazil

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

What documents do foreigners need to buy property in Brazil

Buying Property

What documents do foreigners need to buy property in Brazil

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

Can a Brazilian property attorney handle transactions nationwide

Process

Can a Brazilian property attorney handle transactions nationwide

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

What is the difference between a real estate lawyer and a broker in Brazil

Legal Risk

What is the difference between a real estate lawyer and a broker in Brazil

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

What happens if due diligence reveals problems with the property

Due Diligence

What happens if due diligence reveals problems with the property

When due diligence reveals liens, unpaid IPTU or condominium fees, registry defects, ownership disputes, construction irregularities, or environmental…

March 21st, 2026 · 1 min read

Can I repatriate money when I sell Brazilian property

International

Can I repatriate money when I sell Brazilian property

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

How do foreign exchange rules affect property purchases

International

How do foreign exchange rules affect property purchases

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

Why Foreigners Need a Real Estate Lawyer in Brazil

Legal Risk

Why Foreigners Need a Real Estate Lawyer in Brazil

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

What are condominium fees and why do they matter

Property Management

What are condominium fees and why do they matter

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

What are border area restrictions for foreign buyers

Restrictions

What are border area restrictions for foreign buyers

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

Are there restrictions on foreign ownership of rural land in Brazil

Restrictions

Are there restrictions on foreign ownership of rural land in Brazil

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

Brazilians Living Abroad: How to Buy Property in Brazil Remotely

International

Brazilians Living Abroad: How to Buy Property in Brazil Remotely

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

What is Hague Apostille and when is it required

International

What is Hague Apostille and when is it required

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

Complete Guide to Buying Property in Brazil

Buying Property

Complete Guide to Buying Property in Brazil

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

What is a Power of Attorney and when do I need one

Legal Concepts

What is a Power of Attorney and when do I need one

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

What is a Cartório and why does it matter

Legal Concepts

What is a Cartório and why does it matter

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

What is IPTU

Taxes

What is IPTU

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

How Foreigners Buy Property in Florianópolis, Brazil

Florianópolis

How Foreigners Buy Property in Florianópolis, Brazil

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

What are closing costs for buying property in Brazil

Buying Property

What are closing costs for buying property in Brazil

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

What is a CPF and how do foreigners obtain one

Legal Concepts

What is a CPF and how do foreigners obtain one

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

What is the difference between a private contract and escritura in Brazil

Legal Concepts

What is the difference between a private contract and escritura in Brazil

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

Can foreigners own beachfront property in Brazil

Restrictions

Can foreigners own beachfront property in Brazil

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

Legal Due Diligence for Property in Brazil: Complete Checklist

Due Diligence

Legal Due Diligence for Property in Brazil: Complete Checklist

The essential legal checks before buying real estate in Brazil — matrícula, liens, taxes, condominium debts, and urban compliance.

February 1st, 2026 · 1 min read

Can foreigners inherit property in Brazil

Inheritance

Can foreigners inherit property in Brazil

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

How long does property registration take in Brazil

Process

How long does property registration take in Brazil

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

Can I buy property in Brazil remotely

Buying Property

Can I buy property in Brazil remotely

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

What is a matrícula

Legal Concepts

What is a matrícula

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

What is ITBI

Taxes

What is ITBI

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

What taxes do foreigners pay when buying property in Brazil

Taxes

What taxes do foreigners pay when buying property in Brazil

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 Brazil: Real Estate Investment Guide 2026

Golden Visa

Golden Visa Brazil: Real Estate Investment Guide 2026

How foreign investors can align Brazilian property acquisitions with residency pathways — legal requirements, due diligence, and strategic planning.

January 15th, 2026 · 1 min read

Can foreigners obtain financing in Brazil

Buying Property

Can foreigners obtain financing in Brazil

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

Can Canadians buy property in Brazil

Buying Property

Can Canadians buy property in Brazil

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

Can Americans buy property in Brazil

Buying Property

Can Americans buy property in Brazil

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