Can Foreigners Really Own Property in Mexico? Complete 2026 Guide
Foreigners can acquire Mexican property using the appropriate legal structure. Constitutional Article 27 restricts direct foreign ownership within 50 kilometres of beaches and 100 kilometres of borders. For residential property in that restricted zone, the Foreign Investment Law and SRE provide for an authorized Mexican bank trust, subject to its terms.
Location and use come before cost
Confirm the parcel’s location against the restricted zone and its intended use. A foreign buyer’s coastal home is not resolved simply by forming a company. SRE distinguishes residential trusts from the notice procedure for non-residential corporate acquisitions.
Compare written bank proposals, the permission’s scope and the notarial instrument’s terms. Ask the adviser to explain the acquired rights and procedures for sale, transfer or beneficiary changes; do not equate the Mexican trust with a structure from another country.
| Structure | When to examine it | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Mexican bank trust | Residential property in the restricted zone for a foreign buyer; SRE permit. | Trustee bank, rights, beneficiaries and contractual charges. |
| Mexican company admitting foreign investors | Direct title in the restricted zone for non-residential purposes; Article 10 I and SRE notice. | Permitted use and requirements; not a residential shortcut. |
| Direct title held by a foreign person | Outside the restricted zone; applicable SRE undertaking and procedure. | Exact location, permission and notarial instrument. |
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