Whether you're dreaming of a Tuscan farmhouse, a Costa Rica retirement, a Riviera Maya vacation rental, or a passive income investment property in Manchester — these are the questions we hear most. We've answered all of them here, with the same honesty and detail you'd get on a call with us.
Q: Can Americans buy property in a foreign country?
Yes — in most countries around the world, Americans can purchase real estate freely. In our five core markets:
Q: Is buying property abroad complicated?
It's different from buying in the US — but with the right guidance, it's absolutely manageable. The biggest differences are the legal systems (most countries use a notary rather than a title company), the currency considerations, and the due diligence process. At Passports to Property, we guide you through every step — from your first question to your closing day — so you never have to figure it out alone.
Q: Do I need to visit the country before buying?
We strongly recommend it. A Discovery Trip — spending time in your target region before making any commitment — is how confident, informed buyers consistently make their best decisions. You'll experience the neighborhood, meet local professionals, and tour actual properties. We help structure Discovery Trips for our clients so the time you spend on the ground is productive, not overwhelming.
Q: How long does the international property buying process take?
It varies by country, but most international purchases close in 60 to 120 days from offer acceptance to final deed. Off-plan (pre-construction) purchases have longer timelines — typically 18 to 30 months from reservation to handover — but offer staged payment plans that spread your capital deployment over time. We'll give you a realistic timeline for your specific situation from the very first conversation.
Q: What is a Discovery Trip and how does it work?
A Discovery Trip is a structured visit to your target country or region designed to help you make an informed property decision. Rather than a standard vacation, it's a focused experience that combines neighborhood exploration, property tours, meetings with local attorneys and agents, and immersion in the daily lifestyle. We coordinate the real estate component and work with trusted travel partners to handle the logistics. Most clients who take a Discovery Trip come back with a shortlist of properties — and many make an offer before they leave.
Q: Do I need to speak the local language to buy property abroad?
No. In all of our core markets — Italy, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, and Costa Rica — the buying process can be completed in English with the right team. Legal documents will be in the local language, and your attorney (which we always recommend) will translate and explain everything before you sign. In many popular expat markets, English is widely spoken by real estate professionals, attorneys, and notaries.
Q: What is a notary and why do I need one abroad?
In most countries where we operate, a notary (called a notaio in Italy, notaire in France, notario in Mexico and Spain) is a government-licensed legal official who handles all property transfers. Unlike a US notary public — who simply witnesses signatures — an international notary verifies legal title, collects transfer taxes, registers the property in your name, and ensures the transaction is legally binding. The notary typically represents the state, not either party, which is why we always recommend hiring your own attorney to represent your specific interests alongside the notary.
Q: What is a fideicomiso in Mexico?
A fideicomiso is a bank trust used by Americans and other foreign nationals to hold title to property within Mexico's Restricted Zone — land within 50 kilometers of coastlines and 100 kilometers of international borders. The bank acts as trustee while you hold all practical ownership rights: the right to buy, sell, rent, renovate, and pass the property to your heirs. It is a standard, fully legal, and widely used ownership structure — not a workaround or a compromise. Outside the Restricted Zone, Americans can hold direct title freely without a fideicomiso.
Q: What is a Folio Real in Costa Rica?
The Folio Real is Costa Rica's national property registry — the centralized database where all titled properties are officially recorded. Before purchasing any property in Costa Rica, a title search through the Folio Real is non-negotiable. It confirms that the seller has clean legal title, identifies any liens or encumbrances, and verifies the property boundaries. Always confirm whether you're purchasing ownership rights (derecho de propiedad) or occupation rights — the latter is a red flag for unregistered or untitled land.
Q: What is the Maritime Zone in Costa Rica and how does it affect beachfront property?
The Maritime Zone covers 200 meters inland from the high tide line. The first 50 meters cannot be owned by anyone — Costa Rican or foreign. The next 150 meters can only be leased, and only by Costa Ricans or foreigners who have been legal residents for at least five years. This means beachfront ownership in Costa Rica is more complex than most buyers expect. It's one of the most important pieces of due diligence in a Costa Rica purchase, and your attorney should verify Maritime Zone status for any coastal property before you make an offer.
Q: Do I need a lawyer when buying property abroad?
Yes — always. In every country we work in, we strongly recommend engaging your own independent legal counsel, even if the developer or seller has a recommended attorney. Your attorney reviews the title, explains every document before you sign, identifies any encumbrances or red flags, and represents your interests specifically — something the notary does not do. The cost of a good international real estate attorney is a small fraction of the purchase price and one of the most important investments you make in the process.
Q: What are the typical closing costs when buying property abroad?
Closing costs vary by country but are generally higher than in the US as a percentage of purchase price. Budget approximately:
We provide a full cost breakdown for your specific purchase before you commit to anything.
Q: Can I get a mortgage to buy property abroad?
Financing options vary significantly by country. In most of our core markets, many international buyers purchase with cash or arrange financing through US-based lenders secured against existing assets. Local mortgages for foreign buyers are available in some markets but often come with higher interest rates (10–15% in Mexico, for example) and lower loan-to-value limits than US buyers are accustomed to. Some off-plan developments offer developer financing with structured payment plans — a popular alternative that spreads capital deployment without requiring a traditional mortgage. We'll help you understand the financing landscape for your specific target country.
Q: Does buying property abroad give me citizenship?
No. Buying property does not automatically grant citizenship — or even residency — in any country. Property ownership gives you the legal right to own that specific property. In some countries, a qualifying real estate purchase can make you eligible to apply for a residency program (sometimes called a Golden Visa), but that is a separate application process with its own requirements. Citizenship, if you ever pursue it, comes only after years of maintained legal residency — typically 5 to 10 years depending on the country — plus additional language and integration requirements.
Q: What is a Golden Visa?
A Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program — not a citizenship program. It grants a renewable residence permit (typically 5 years) to investors who meet a qualifying investment threshold, often in real estate. As of 2026:
Golden Visa programs change frequently. Always verify current requirements before making any investment decision based on residency goals.
Q: Do I have to give up my US citizenship to live abroad or become a citizen of another country?
No. US law does not require you to renounce your US citizenship to acquire citizenship in another country. According to the US Department of State's own published policy, a US citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to their US citizenship. The Supreme Court cases Afroyim v. Rusk (1967) and Vance v. Terrazas (1980) established that citizenship cannot be taken away without the citizen's own voluntary, intentional act to relinquish it. You would have to actively and formally renounce your US citizenship through a process at a US embassy — it cannot happen to you involuntarily.
Q: Can I hold dual citizenship as an American?
In most cases, yes. The United States recognizes dual nationality, and all five of our core markets — Italy, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, and Costa Rica — permit dual citizenship with the United States. Whether the other country allows you to keep your US citizenship alongside theirs depends on that country's own laws, not US law. We always recommend confirming dual nationality rules with a qualified immigration attorney for your specific target country before pursuing naturalization.
Q: What visa options exist for Americans who want to live in our core markets?
Each country offers distinct pathways:
None of these visas require property ownership as a precondition. You can visit on a tourist visa, explore the country, find your location, and engage the residency process from an informed position.
Q: Do I still have to pay US taxes if I live abroad?
Yes. The United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live — one of the only countries in the world that does this. As long as you hold a US passport, you are required to file a US tax return annually and report all worldwide income. This does not necessarily mean double taxation — the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and Foreign Tax Credit mechanisms exist specifically to prevent it — but the filing obligation itself remains regardless of where you live or what foreign residency or citizenship you hold. Always consult a cross-border tax professional before making any international relocation or investment decision.
Q: Can I buy an international investment property for passive income?
Yes — and this is one of the fastest-growing categories of international real estate for American buyers. The model is straightforward: you purchase a property in a high-demand rental market, a professional property management company or hotel operator handles all bookings, maintenance, and guest services, and you receive regular rental income distributions without being an active landlord.
Passports to Property partners with API Global — a UK-based property investment firm with over £1.75 billion in completed developments — to offer American investors access to off-plan investment properties in the United Kingdom, UAE, and Thailand. These properties are professionally managed from day one, with projected rental yields of 5–13% depending on the development.
Q: What is an off-plan investment property?
An off-plan property is a property purchased before construction is complete — directly from the developer during the build phase. Off-plan purchases typically offer better pricing than completed properties because developers need committed buyers to fund construction. The trade-off is time: you're buying a property that doesn't exist yet, with a completion date typically 18 to 36 months away.
The advantages of off-plan investing:
The risks to understand:
Q: What developments does Passports to Property currently offer through API Global?
Our current API Global portfolio includes:
New developments are added to our portfolio regularly. Contact us to receive updates on upcoming launches.
Q: How does the buying process work for an API Global investment property?
The process has ten clear steps, all guided by our team alongside API Global's in-house support:
We guide you through every step and remain a point of contact throughout the entire process.
Q: How does currency conversion work when buying an international investment property?
For API Global properties, currency conversion is handled entirely by API Global's in-house team — you don't need to source a separate currency specialist. Their dedicated team manages the exchange rate, sets up forward contracts to lock in favorable rates against future payment milestones, and coordinates all international wire transfers. This is one of the most significant practical advantages of purchasing through API Global versus navigating an international property purchase independently.
Q: Is the rental income from an international investment property taxable?
Yes — in both the country where the property is located and in the United States (as worldwide income). Most countries withhold local tax on rental income earned by non-residents. The good news: most US tax treaties with popular investment countries (UK, Thailand, etc.) allow you to credit foreign taxes paid against your US tax liability, preventing genuine double taxation. You'll still need to file in both countries, and we always recommend working with a cross-border tax professional before your first rental income arrives.
Q: Can I sell the property later and reinvest the proceeds?
Yes. There is no requirement to hold an international investment property indefinitely. When you're ready to exit — whether that's 3 years, 7 years, or longer — your solicitor or attorney manages the sale, and you receive the net proceeds. Many investors use the proceeds from one international property to reinvest into another opportunity, compounding their position over time. Talk to your tax advisor about whether a 1031 exchange structure is applicable to your specific situation before selling.
Q: What makes Manchester, England a strong investment market?
Manchester is consistently ranked the #1 investment city in the UK outside London by JLL's Big Six report — four years running. Key fundamentals:
Q: What makes Phuket, Thailand a strong investment market?
Phuket is one of the world's most consistently high-demand resort markets:
Q: Does Passports to Property also help with buying and selling homes in North Texas?
Yes — this is the other half of what we do. Jerrod Pickering is a licensed Texas REALTOR® with Major League Realty, serving buyers and sellers across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Whether you're buying your first home, selling a luxury property, or trying to understand what your DFW equity could unlock internationally, we serve both sides of the equation.
Q: What areas of DFW does Passports to Property serve?
We serve buyers and sellers across the entire Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, Weatherford, Burleson, and surrounding communities. We specialize in the luxury market ($500,000 and above) as well as relocation clients transitioning into or out of North Texas.
Q: Can I use my DFW home equity to buy property abroad?
Yes —
Copyright © 2026 Passports to Property - All Rights Reserved.
Jerrod Pickering is a licensed Texas REALTOR® (License #0760337), not a financial, legal, investment, or tax advisor. All content is for general informational purposes only. Consult qualified professionals before making investment decisions. No promises of rental yield is implied or guaranteed. Major League Realty is the broker.
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