International Property Purchase: Step-by-Step Guide for Foreign Buyers (2025)

Here is a simple path for anyone asking how to buy property overseas and looking for a clear international property purchase process: plan your goal and budget, choose markets and property types, build a small team, check the property and documents, set a safe payment method (escrow or direct with proof), sign the contract, and register title. Below — short, clear steps you can follow, including notes on closing costs for foreigners and proof-of-payment.

Quick 10-step checklist

1) Define goal & budget 2) Shortlist markets & types 3) Build your team 4) Financing & KYC/SoF 5) Viewings & quick checks 6) Offer & due diligence window 7) Payment setup (escrow/MT103) 8) Contract & signing 9) Completion & title 10) Aftercare (taxes, utilities, insurance, management)

Who this is for — overseas property purchase for foreigners

For foreign buyers and anyone buying real estate as a non-resident who wants a clean, low-risk process with clear steps, documents, timelines, and costs — without focusing on a single country.

Step 1 — Set your goal and budget

Be clear: is this for living, renting, or mixed use? Your goal decides the city, property type, and budget. Add taxes, closing costs, and first-year expenses. Keep a 5–10% buffer for currency moves or fixes.

Step 2 — Pick markets and property types

Choose 2–3 markets and 1–2 property types. Compare rules for foreign buyers, typical costs at closing, rental rules, and resale liquidity. If you plan to live there, check commute, schools, and healthcare nearby.

Step 3 — Build a small team

You usually need: an advisor (search and strategy), a transactions manager (timeline and documents), a legal counsel (title and contracts), and a bank/broker if you want a mortgage. Keep all files in one shared folder so everyone works from the same pack.

Step 4 — Financing and KYC/SoF pack

Cash or mortgage? If mortgage, ask banks for basic terms early. In any case, prepare a KYC/SoF pack: passport, proof of address, tax ID, income proof, bank statements, and a short source-of-funds story. This avoids delays with banks, escrow, and the notary.

Step 5 — Viewings and quick checks

Do viewings onsite or remote. For new build — check the developer and payment schedule. For secondary — ask for utility bills and owners’ association fees, and do a quick technical look (structure, damp, systems). Shortlist 2–3 properties and collect first legal docs (title extract, plan, seller’s right to sell).

Step 6 — Offer, reservation, and due diligence

Make a written offer (price, timing, inclusions, conditions like “subject to legal/technical checks” or “subject to mortgage”). After acceptance, sign a reservation or preliminary agreement and start due diligence. Legal checks: ownership, limits, liens, use. Technical checks: structure, installations, certificates, hidden defects. If something big appears — renegotiate or step away.

Step 7 — Payment setup and compliance

Choose how money moves: escrow vs direct payment to a verified seller account. Match your payment text (narrative) to the contract and keep MT103 tracking for property payment as proof. If you need currency exchange, compare spreads and plan the value date. For end-to-end coordination across search, checks, contracts, and closing, you can request step-by-step assistance.

Step 8 — Contract and signing

Make sure the contract has the final price, payment plan, what stays in the property, and who pays which taxes and fees. In many places a notary checks identities and that the deed matches the register. If someone signs by power of attorney, ensure it is properly notarized and legalized and clearly states allowed actions.

Step 9 — Completion and title

At completion, you sign the deed and settle the last payment. The registry updates the title to your name. Keep copies of the deed, registry receipt, invoices for taxes and fees, and your bank transfer proofs. If you have a mortgage, the bank’s security is also recorded on title.

Step 10 — Aftercare

Register for property taxes, set up utilities, arrange insurance, and (if renting) check local lease rules and deposits. For remote owners, appoint a manager for keys and checks. Keep digital records for the future.

Buyer costs — simple table

Deal documents — keep this pack ready

Buyer IDs and tax IDs; proof of address; income proof and bank statements; short SoF story; offer letter; reservation or preliminary agreement; sale contract; title extract; cadastral plan; statement of no encumbrances (where used); utility bills and owners’ association fees; relevant permits and certificates; insurance quotes or binders.

Two expert notes

“Align the contract, invoice, and payment text — this avoids most compliance holds.” — Aiko, Compliance Lead, VelesClub Int.

“Fix timelines early so seller, bank, notary, and registry move in sequence — it saves weeks.” — Lucas, Transactions Manager, VelesClub Int.

Common mistakes (and easy fixes)

Late KYC/SoF → prepare the pack before sending money.

Hidden costs → use the table above and confirm local brackets.

No title/usage check → always get a clean extract and legal review.

Paying in one lump sum → use escrow stages or clear evidence with MT103.

FAQ — short and clear

Can I buy remotely? Yes, by PoA that is notarized and legalized with clear powers.

Is escrow required? Not always, but it reduces risk; mirror its controls in the contract if paying direct.

What do banks ask? Passport, address, income, bank statements, tax ID, and a short SoF story tied to your contract — core KYC/SoF requirements for foreign buyers.

How to track a payment? Ask for MT103 and check the value date; match the narrative to the contract.

Next steps

For coordinated support across search, checks, and closing, you can get step-by-step assistance. To explore the full range of solutions, see our services.

Updated: September 2025

VelesClub Int. supports buyers with compliant payments, due diligence, and coordinated closings worldwide.