Can foreigners own a condo in the Philippines?
Foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines, but they can own condominium units, provided foreign ownership in the condominium project as a whole stays at or below 40%.
Last updated · Buying & ownership glossary
About Condominium foreign-ownership cap (Philippines)
The cap comes from the Philippines' Condominium Act. For a house or land in surf areas such as Siargao, foreigners usually look at long-term leases instead.
- Also called
- 40% condo rule
- Where it applies
- Philippines
This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm with a licensed local attorney before you buy.
Related terms
- Leasehold
- Leasehold is the right to use land or a building for a fixed number of years under a lease, after which it returns to the owner. Where foreigners cannot own land — Indonesia, the Philippines — a long registered lease is a common way to secure a villa or surf-camp site.