Last updated: October 2026
Yes. A foreigner can buy an apartment in Mexico City and hold the title in their own name. You do not need Mexican citizenship, a Mexican partner, or a bank trust. Residency matters mostly for financing, not for ownership.
Most of the confusion online comes from mixing up Mexico City with the beach towns. The rules are different, so it helps to separate them first.
The Mexican Constitution bars foreigners from holding direct title within 50 kilometers of the coast and 100 kilometers of the national borders. That strip is called the restricted zone. Inside it, foreign buyers use a bank trust, where a Mexican bank holds the title for their benefit.
Mexico City sits roughly 300 kilometers from the nearest coast and far from any border, so it is outside the restricted zone. A foreigner buying a condo in Roma Norte, Condesa, or Polanco receives a regular deed (escritura) in their own name, the same as a Mexican buyer.
Buyers should plan for closing costs of roughly 4% to 8% of the purchase price. The range is wide because it depends on the price, the property, and how the deal is structured. The main items are:
Ask the notary for a written estimate before you sign the promise-to-sell. Exact figures vary by notary and by transaction, so treat any percentage you read online, including this one, as a planning number.
Yes, with limits.
Mexican banks such as Santander and Scotiabank do lend to foreigners who hold a valid residency card (temporary or permanent). They typically ask for a passport, proof of income, proof of address, and banking references, and they set age limits that include the loan term. How much down payment you need depends on your profile and the bank's evaluation. Buyers without Mexican residency or credit history usually face stricter terms, and a smaller group of cross-border lenders finances them, often in U.S. dollars.
Terms change with the market and vary by lender. If you plan to finance, speak with a lender before you make an offer. Your residency status shapes what is available, and it is better to know that before you fall for an apartment.
A licensed, authorized broker can save a foreign buyer a lot of time. Brokers who work with banks every week know which lender is more open to which profile, what documents each one asks for, and how to present income earned abroad. They can compare offers from several banks at once and flag problems with the property or the paperwork early. Check that the broker is authorized and ask how they are paid, so you know who they are working for.
Most problems we hear about come from a short list:
For some buyers, yes. Neighborhoods in Mexico City differ a lot in noise, light, walkability, and building quality, and it is hard to judge that from a visit. Renting for six to twelve months in the area you are considering is a cheap way to learn what you actually want. Plenty of people end up buying in a different neighborhood than the one they first had in mind.
Yes. Mexico City is outside the restricted zone, so foreigners can hold title directly.
No. A bank trust is only required within 50 km of the coast or 100 km of a border.
No. Residency is not required to own property. It can affect whether a Mexican bank will finance the purchase.
Typically around 4% to 8% of the purchase price, covering ISAI, notary, registry, and appraisal. Get a written estimate from your notary.
Cash purchases can close in a matter of weeks once the title review is clean. Financed purchases take longer.
Rarely. Most foreign mortgages are secured on property in the lender's own country. Cross-border lenders that finance Mexican property exist, but terms vary.
Kite helps people relocate to Mexico City, and our partner AMBRA has spent 25 years developing and selling property in Condesa, Roma, and Polanco. If you are weighing a purchase and want to talk it through in English, you can message Al on WhatsApp at +52 55 4499 9681 or book a short call at https://calendly.com/ab2116657/new-meeting. If the honest answer for you is "rent first" or "not yet," we will say so.