Can Foreigners Buy Property in Mexico?
Yes —you just need to understand how it works
One of the questions I hear most often from U.S. and Canadian clients is:
“Can I legally own a home in La Paz?”
The answer is yes —you can be the legal owner of property in Mexico with full rights.
If the property is located near the coast (as most are in Baja California Sur), the process simply goes through a legal structure called a bank trust, or fideicomiso.
And while it might sound complicated at first, it’s actually a system designed to protect foreign buyers.
So let me explain —in simple terms and from experience— how it works and why you don’t need to worry.
What is a fideicomiso?
In coastal and border zones of Mexico, foreign citizens don’t hold title to property directly.
Instead, they acquire it through a fideicomiso, which functions much like a trust.
Here’s how it works:
The legal title is held by a Mexican bank.
You are the beneficiary with full ownership rights: to use, rent, remodel, sell, or pass it on.
📆 It’s valid for 50 years and renewable.
💰 There’s an initial setup fee and an annual maintenance fee.
I always describe it like this:
It’s a safe deposit box. You hold the key —the bank just keeps it secure.
Is it safe?
Yes, absolutely.
The fideicomiso is government-regulated and has been used for decades by thousands of foreign buyers in places like La Paz, Cabo, and Tulum.
And the bank cannot act on the property without your written consent.
Once you understand it, it stops feeling complicated —it’s simply part of how property works here.
Why does it cause confusion?
There are usually two moments when clients pause:
When they realize the process isn’t exactly like it is back home
When they learn that closing the purchase depends on the bank and the notary, not the buyer or seller
A typical closing in Mexico takes about 6 to 12 weeks, which is perfectly normal —but it helps to know that ahead of time.
Is it fair?
I often get this question:
“Why can’t I hold the title if I’m paying for the home?”
It’s a valid concern —but here’s the truth:
The fideicomiso does not limit your rights.
You can live in, sell, rent, remodel, or inherit the property just as you would elsewhere.
It’s simply a way for Mexico to uphold its constitutional laws while allowing foreign investment.
And it works.
What I always tell my clients
“Thousands of foreigners own property in La Paz through the fideicomiso. It’s a legal, secure system designed to protect your rights as an investor.
And when you work with a certified agent and a notary, every step is supported by Mexican law.”
Having someone to guide you makes all the difference.
My role is to help you feel confident —and informed— every step of the way.
Once they understand it, everything shifts
I’ve seen it happen many times:
A client goes from uncertain to confident the moment they realize they can own property here —and that their rights are fully protected.
From that moment on, things just… flow.
Thinking about buying property in La Paz?
You’re not alone —and you don’t have to figure it all out yourself.
I’m here to walk you through it with clarity and care.
📩 Reach out if you’d like to talk.
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