CAN FOREIGNERS OWN PROPERTY  IN THE PHILIPPINES ? 

In the Philippines, only Filipinos can own land. HOWEVER, there are no restrictions when it comes to foreign ownership of condominiums or apartments. Foreigners receive a freehold deed of ownership, as any Filipino, when buying a condominium. If you decide to sell the unit at a later date, you are free to remit the money proceeds abroad  without any restriction. There are also no restrictions in occupying or renting the unit. 

WHAT IF THE PROPERTY IS BOUGHT IN THE FILIPINO SPOUSE’S NAME OF A FOREIGNER? 

Some foreigners married to Filipina attempt to circumvent the law by buying a house & lot in the name of their Filipina wife. A common problem that results from this is that if the wife dies ahead, the property cannot pass to the husband, as he is not a Filipino national. Similarly, it cannot pass to any of the children who may have foreign nationality. As such, the house & lot passes to the Filipino relatives of the wife’s family. HOWEVER, this is not a problem with condominiums as they can be passed on to Non-Filipino nationals.

HOW CAN A CHILD, OF A FILIPINO COUPLE, BUT WHO HAS GAINED FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP INHERIT PROPERTY IN THE PHILIPPINES?

In a related manner, Filipino couples working abroad, who have children who gain citizenship of another country, cannot pass on their house & lot in the Philippines to these children. They cannot inherit it because of being Non-Filipino nationals. Again, this is not a problem with condominiums, as they can be passed to Non-Filipino nationals.