Top 5 Safest Ways to Pay for Property Abroad (2025)

This guide ranks the five safest ways to move money for an international property purchase. You will see how each option protects your funds, how fast it works, typical fees, what documents banks ask for, and when to choose it. The language is simple for easy translation.

Prepared by VelesClub Int. together with partner UNIBROKER.

The Top 5 (ranked)

1. Escrow account (neutral holder; rule-based release)
   Funds sit with a neutral escrow agent or notary. Money is released only when a simple, written condition is proven (for example: registrar issues title; notarised handover is signed). Very high control; excellent for off-plan and staged payments.
2. Client (segregated) account with a clear mandate
   Funds are held by a licensed professional (notary office, law firm, regulated agent) in a segregated account. A short mandate says who signs, which proofs are checked, and what to do if someone is silent. Often faster for one-time completions.
3. Documentary Letter of Credit (or Standby LC)
   Your bank promises payment when the seller presents exact documents (or draws on a standby if the buyer fails to pay). High security, strong paper trail. Costs and setup time are higher; best for large cross-border deals where banks cooperate well.
4. Statutory developer escrow (where required by law)
   In some markets, buyer funds go to a regulated project escrow. Releases happen per milestone certificates. Strong for new-build projects; scope depends on local law.
5. Notarised completion with cashier’s check / instant bank transfer under notary/registrar control
   Payment happens at the signing table and is verified on the spot. Safer than a direct early wire. Works best when all parties are in one place and banks can confirm instantly.

Comparison at a glance

Use this table to see safety, speed, fees, and typical uses side by side.

How to choose (simple flow)

1. Map the deal shape. Staged developer deal → escrow or statutory developer escrow. Simple private sale → client account or notarised completion.
2. Write the release rule in one line. “Release when registrar issues title” or “Release after notarised handover and verification”. One sentence avoids delays.
3. Define sign-offs and a fallback. Who instructs release? What if a party is silent for N days? Put it in the escrow letter or mandate.
4. Prepare KYC/SoF early. Most payment holds happen because core pages are missing. Send KYC and source of funds with the payment request.
5. Align timing and FX. Check bank cut-off times, correspondent routing, and spreads. Compare “convert before” vs “convert at destination”.

Pros & cons (plain words)

Escrow — pros: neutral control, clear rule, strong protection on stages. Cons: more checks, can be slower, added fee.

Client account — pros: faster for simple completions, flexible. Cons: depends on mandate quality and the account holder’s process.

LC/SBLC — pros: bank-level assurance, excellent for high-value, cross-border risk. Cons: cost, paperwork, setup time.

Developer escrow — pros: regulated milestones, buyer protection by law. Cons: only where available; follow project rules strictly.

Notarised completion — pros: live verification, immediate handover. Cons: needs all parties present and quick bank confirmation.

Documents checklist

• Deal papers: SPA or reservation, invoice/payment schedule, beneficiary details.
• Your papers: Passport, proof of address, source of funds (salary, savings, asset sale, investment income).
• Route-specific: escrow letter or mandate letter; LC terms if using an LC; notary appointment and bank draft/RTGS proof for notarised completion.

Common mistakes (and simple fixes)

Vague conditions. Fix: one-line release rule. Long phrasing causes long delays.

Mandate gaps. Fix: name who signs; list proofs to check; add a fallback if someone is silent.

Missing KYC/SoF pages. Fix: send full KYC and source of funds with the payment request.

Unplanned FX and cut-offs. Fix: compare spreads; confirm bank cut-off times; add a 2–3 day buffer.

FAQ

Which option is the safest overall? Escrow with a strict one-line condition is usually the safest across markets.

Which option is the fastest? Client accounts and notarised completion can complete the same day if documents are ready and banks confirm.

What is the lowest cost route? Notarised completion or a simple client account often cost less than escrow or an LC, but they offer different levels of control.

Do I still need a SWIFT MT103? Yes. Share the confirmation to match references and track the transfer.

Can I mix options? Yes. Many buyers use escrow or client accounts for the main payment and a notarised transfer for a small balance on handover.

Expert comment

“If your release rule fits into a single line and your KYC pack is complete, payments clear fast regardless of the route. Most delays come from wording and missing pages.”
— Maya, Payments Lead

Next steps

Pick the route that fits your deal and risk tolerance. Write a one-line release rule, choose the documents you will show, and book dates around bank cut-offs. Our team, together with UNIBROKER, can coordinate the holder, the bank, and the paperwork so your title and funds are safe.

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