Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Chile Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Chile Property Pack
Chile is one of the most open countries in Latin America when it comes to foreign property ownership, but there are still a few rules and processes you absolutely need to understand before buying.
This guide covers everything from visa requirements and tax IDs to closing costs and mortgage rates, all updated for January 2026.
We constantly update this blog post with the latest data on housing prices in Chile and the regulations that affect foreign buyers.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Chile.
Insights
- Chile has no foreign ownership quota for apartments or houses, which is unusual compared to neighboring countries like Argentina or Peru where certain restrictions exist.
- The biggest mistake foreigners make in Chile is thinking the deal is done after signing the deed, when in reality ownership only transfers after registration at the Conservador de Bienes Raices.
- Nationals of bordering countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Peru) face restrictions in Chile's declared border zones under Decreto Ley 1.939, a rule that catches many buyers off guard.
- Chile's mortgage rates for housing loans averaged around 4.1% in late 2025 according to Banco Central data, making financing relatively accessible compared to other Latin American markets.
- Non-resident foreigners renting out property in Chile face a 35% Additional Tax on rental income, significantly higher than the rates for Chilean residents.
- You do not need a specific visa to buy property in Chile, but you will almost always need a Chilean tax ID (RUT) to complete the transaction and register the deed.
- Closing costs in Chile typically range from 1.5% to 4.5% of the purchase price, with the higher end applying when you take out a mortgage due to stamp taxes and bank fees.
- Chile does not offer a golden visa or residency-by-investment program tied to property purchases, so buying a home will not automatically help you get residency.
What can I legally buy and truly own as a foreigner in Chile?
What property types can foreigners legally buy in Chile right now?
As of January 2026, foreigners in Chile can legally buy the same residential property types as Chilean citizens, including apartments, houses, townhouses, and homes in gated condominios.
The main practical requirement is not about your nationality but about paperwork: you will need a Chilean tax ID (known as RUT) to have your name correctly recorded on the deed and in the property registry.
This means that whether you are buying a small apartment in Santiago's Providencia neighborhood or a lifestyle home near Puerto Varas, the legal process is essentially the same for foreigners and locals.
The one significant exception involves border-zone areas, where nationals of neighboring countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Peru) may face restrictions under Chile's territorial laws, but this does not apply to most standard residential purchases in major cities.
Finally, please note that our pack about the property market in Chile is specifically tailored to foreigners.
Can I own land in my own name in Chile right now?
Yes, foreigners can generally own land in their own name in Chile, including the land underneath houses, parcelas de agrado (lifestyle plots), and other residential properties.
However, Chile has one notable exception: declared border-zone areas (zonas fronterizas) in the far north and far south of the country have restrictions that specifically apply to nationals of bordering countries like Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru.
If you are buying land in a sensitive zone, you may need special authorization from DIFROL (the state agency handling border and territorial matters), and this process can add complexity and time to your purchase.
By the way, we cover everything there is to know about the land buying process in Chile here.
As of 2026, what other key foreign-ownership rules or limits should I know in Chile?
As of January 2026, Chile does not have the kind of foreign ownership quotas or building-level caps that you might find in countries like Thailand or Mexico, which makes it relatively straightforward for foreigners to buy apartments and houses.
There is no rule in Chile that limits how many units in a condo building can be owned by foreigners, so you will not face quota restrictions when buying an apartment in Santiago, Valparaiso, or other major cities.
The main registration requirement is that your purchase must be formalized through a public deed (escritura publica) at a notary and then inscribed at the Conservador de Bienes Raices, which is Chile's property registry.
As of early 2026, there are no major pending regulatory changes specifically targeting foreign property ownership, though condominium buildings can set their own internal rules about rentals and property use that apply equally to all owners.
If you're interested, we go much more into details about the foreign ownership rights in Chile here.
What's the biggest ownership mistake foreigners make in Chile right now?
The single biggest mistake foreigners make in Chile is assuming that signing the public deed (escritura publica) at the notary means they are the legal owner, when in reality ownership only transfers after the deed is registered at the Conservador de Bienes Raices.
If you skip or delay the registration step, you could find yourself in a situation where the seller's creditors or other claimants have rights over the property, or worse, the seller could attempt to sell the same property to someone else.
Other classic pitfalls in Chile include not checking condominium rules before buying (which can restrict short-term rentals or renovations), buying land in a border zone without realizing special rules apply, and not obtaining a Certificado de Hipotecas y Gravamenes to verify there are no existing liens on the property.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Chile. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which visa or residency status changes what I can do in Chile?
Do I need a specific visa to buy property in Chile right now?
No, you do not need a specific visa to buy property in Chile, and you can legally purchase a home even if you are in the country on a tourist visa or not physically present at all.
The most common administrative hurdle is not your visa status but obtaining a Chilean tax ID (RUT), which is required so that the deed, registration, and tax obligations can be correctly recorded in your name.
In practice, most foreign buyers will need to register for a RUT through Chile's Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII), and this can be done even if you are not a resident.
When completing your purchase, you will typically need to present your passport, your RUT, and any power of attorney documents if you are buying remotely through a representative.
Does buying property help me get residency and citizenship in Chile in 2026?
As of January 2026, buying property in Chile does not automatically help you get residency or citizenship, because Chile does not have a golden visa or residency-by-investment program tied to real estate purchases.
Residency in Chile is handled through the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG), and you must qualify under one of their defined categories such as work visa, family reunification, or retirement visa, none of which are based on property ownership alone.
If you want to become a permanent resident or eventually a citizen, the standard pathway involves first obtaining a temporary residency permit (Residencia Temporal), living in Chile for a qualifying period (usually 1 to 2 years depending on your category), and then applying for permanent residency.
We give you all the details you need about the different pathways to get residency and citizenship in Chile here.
Can I legally rent out property on my visa in Chile right now?
Your visa status in Chile does not prevent you from owning property and renting it out, but the tax treatment of your rental income will depend on whether you are considered a resident or non-resident for tax purposes.
You do not need to live in Chile to rent out your property, and many foreign owners manage their rentals from abroad by hiring a local property manager to handle tenants and maintenance.
The most important detail for foreign landlords is that if you are not resident or domiciled in Chile, your rental income may be subject to a 35% Additional Tax (Impuesto Adicional), which you declare through the annual tax return (Form F22), and you should also be aware that many apartment buildings have internal rules (reglamento de copropiedad) that can restrict or regulate short-term rentals.
We cover everything there is to know about buying and renting out in Chile here.
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How does the buying process actually work step-by-step in Chile?
What are the exact steps to buy property in Chile right now?
The standard sequence to buy property in Chile involves: negotiating the price (often quoted in UF, Chile's inflation-indexed unit), running document checks, signing a promesa de compraventa (promise to buy), signing the escritura publica (public deed) at a notary, and finally registering the deed at the Conservador de Bienes Raices.
You do not need to be physically present in Chile to complete the purchase, because you can grant a power of attorney (poder) to a trusted person or lawyer who will sign on your behalf at the notary and handle the registration.
The deal becomes legally binding in Chile when the escritura publica is signed at the notary, though your ownership is only fully protected once the registration at the Conservador de Bienes Raices is complete.
From accepted offer to final registration, a typical residential purchase in Chile takes between 30 and 60 days, though this can stretch longer if there are complications with the title, financing, or if you are buying remotely.
We have a document entirely dedicated to the whole buying process our pack about properties in Chile.
Is it mandatory to get a lawyer or a notary to buy a property in Chile right now?
A notary is effectively mandatory in Chile because all property transfers must be done through a public deed (escritura publica) that is signed in a notary's office and then registered at the property registry.
The key difference is that the notary's role in Chile is to authenticate the deed and ensure it meets legal formalities, while a lawyer's role is to protect your interests by reviewing the title, checking for liens, negotiating terms, and making sure you understand what you are signing.
If you hire a lawyer in Chile, you should make sure their scope explicitly includes a full title study (estudio de titulos), verification of liens and encumbrances, review of condominium rules if applicable, and coordination of the registration process at the Conservador de Bienes Raices.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Chile versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What checks should I run so I don't buy a problem property in Chile?
How do I verify title and ownership history in Chile right now?
The official registry to verify title and ownership history in Chile is the Conservador de Bienes Raices (CBR), which maintains records of all property registrations, transfers, and encumbrances for each jurisdiction.
The key document you should request is the Certificado de Dominio Vigente, which confirms who is the current registered owner of the property and is available through the CBR or via ChileAtiende.
In Chile, buyers commonly request a title study (estudio de titulos) that goes back at least 10 years, though 20 to 30 years is safer for older properties or land with a complicated history.
A clear red flag that should pause your purchase is finding gaps in the chain of title, multiple claims to ownership, inheritance disputes, or any registered judicial actions (like embargoes) that suggest the property is in litigation.
You will find here the list of classic mistakes people make when buying a property in Chile.
How do I confirm there are no liens in Chile right now?
The standard way to confirm there are no liens or encumbrances on a property in Chile is to request a Certificado de Hipotecas y Gravamenes from the Conservador de Bienes Raices, which lists any mortgages, judicial embargoes, or other registered charges.
One common type of lien buyers should specifically ask about in Chile is an existing mortgage (hipoteca) from the seller's bank, which must be cancelled or transferred as part of the sale, and you should also check for unpaid property taxes (contribuciones) that could become your responsibility.
The Certificado de Hipotecas y Gravamenes is the single best written proof of lien status in Chile, and you should ensure it is recent (ideally issued within the past 30 days) so you have an up-to-date picture before signing the deed.
How do I check zoning and permitted use in Chile right now?
The authority to check zoning and permitted use in Chile is the local Municipality (Municipalidad), specifically the Direccion de Obras Municipales (DOM), which administers the local zoning plan (Plan Regulador Comunal or PRC).
The document that confirms zoning classification in Chile is the Certificado de Informaciones Previas, which you can request from the DOM and which tells you what uses are permitted on the site, building height limits, and other restrictions.
A common zoning pitfall that foreign buyers miss in Chile is buying a parcela de agrado (rural lifestyle plot) without realizing it may be zoned for agricultural use only, which can restrict building permits, subdivisions, or commercial activities you might have planned.
Buying real estate in Chile can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
Can I get a mortgage as a foreigner in Chile, and on what terms?
Do banks lend to foreigners for homes in Chile in 2026?
As of January 2026, yes, Chilean banks do lend to foreigners for home purchases, though the approval process is typically stricter and requires more documentation than for Chilean citizens.
Foreign borrowers in Chile can generally expect a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio between 70% and 80%, meaning you will need a down payment of at least 20% to 30% of the property price, with higher deposits often required for non-residents or those with foreign-source income.
The single most important eligibility factor is having stable, verifiable income in Chile, because banks strongly prefer borrowers with local employment or residency, though some will consider foreign income with additional documentation and a larger down payment.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Chile.
Which banks are most foreigner-friendly in Chile in 2026?
As of January 2026, the banks most commonly cited as foreigner-friendly for mortgages in Chile are Banco Santander Chile, Banco de Chile, and Scotiabank Chile, all of which have established mortgage products and experience handling foreign buyer documentation.
What makes these banks more foreigner-friendly is that they have larger retail mortgage operations with standardized processes, English-speaking staff in some branches, and clearer documentation pipelines for verifying foreign income.
These banks can lend to non-residents in Chile, but the terms are typically less favorable: expect a larger down payment (often 30% or more), stricter income verification, and potentially a requirement for a local co-borrower or guarantor.
We actually have a specific document about how to get a mortgage as a foreigner in our pack covering real estate in Chile.
What mortgage rates are foreigners offered in Chile in 2026?
As of January 2026, foreigners in Chile can expect mortgage interest rates in the range of 4.0% to 4.7% annually (in UF terms), with the exact rate depending on your credit profile, down payment size, and whether you have local income or residency.
Most mortgages in Chile are fixed-rate loans denominated in UF (Unidad de Fomento, an inflation-indexed unit), so while your interest rate stays constant, your peso payment can change if inflation moves the UF value; variable-rate mortgages exist but are less common and typically start slightly lower but carry more long-term risk.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Chile compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What will taxes, fees, and ongoing costs look like in Chile?
What are the total closing costs as a percent in Chile in 2026?
In Chile in 2026, total closing costs for a residential property purchase typically fall between 2% and 3% of the purchase price if you are buying without a mortgage.
When you include a mortgage, closing costs rise to around 3% to 4.5% because you add bank fees, appraisal costs, and the Impuesto de Timbres y Estampillas (stamp tax) on the loan documents.
The main fee categories that make up closing costs in Chile include notary fees, Conservador de Bienes Raices registration fees, legal fees if you hire a lawyer, and (if financing) the stamp tax and bank study costs.
The single biggest contributor to closing costs in Chile when you have a mortgage is usually the Impuesto de Timbres y Estampillas, which is calculated as a percentage of the loan amount and can add noticeably to your upfront expenses.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Chile.
What annual property tax should I budget in Chile in 2026?
As of January 2026, you should budget around 0.3% to 1.0% of your property's market value per year for annual property tax (contribuciones) in Chile, which for a typical apartment worth 100 million CLP (roughly $100,000 USD or around 95,000 EUR) would mean approximately 300,000 to 1,000,000 CLP annually (roughly $300 to $1,000 USD or 285 to 950 EUR).
Property tax in Chile is assessed based on the avaluo fiscal (government-assessed value), not the market price, and the official rates range from 0.98% to 1.143% of the assessed value, with thresholds and exemptions that often bring the effective rate lower than the headline numbers suggest.
How is rental income taxed for foreigners in Chile in 2026?
As of January 2026, if you are a non-resident foreigner renting out property in Chile, your rental income may be subject to a 35% Additional Tax (Impuesto Adicional), which is significantly higher than the rates that apply to Chilean residents.
Foreign owners typically must declare this rental income through the annual tax return (Form F22), and in some cases, the tenant or a local representative may be required to withhold taxes at the source before paying you.
What insurance is common and how much in Chile in 2026?
As of January 2026, annual insurance premiums for a standard home policy in Chile typically range from 150,000 to 450,000 CLP (roughly $150 to $450 USD or 140 to 430 EUR), depending on the property type, location, and coverage level.
The most common type of property insurance in Chile is fire insurance (seguro de incendio), which is often required by banks if you have a mortgage, and most policies include or offer an add-on for earthquake coverage given Chile's seismic risk.
The biggest factor that makes insurance premiums higher or lower in Chile is whether you include earthquake coverage and the reconstruction value of the property, because Chile's frequent seismic activity means earthquake add-ons can significantly increase your annual premium.
Get the full checklist for your due diligence in Chile
Don't repeat the same mistakes others have made before you. Make sure everything is in order before signing your sales contract.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Chile, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can, and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII) | Chile's official tax authority explaining property tax rules directly. | We used SII to pin down the official property tax (contribuciones) rate structure for residential homes. We also verified when the 0.025% sobretasa surcharge applies. |
| ChileAtiende | The official Chilean government one-stop guidance site for procedures. | We used ChileAtiende to confirm that purchases must be formalized by escritura publica and registered at the CBR. We structured our step-by-step buying process around their guidance. |
| Banco Central de Chile | The central bank publishing official system-wide interest rate statistics. | We used Banco Central data to anchor a confident mortgage rate range for January 2026. We avoided relying on marketing rates by using official averages. |
| Comision para el Mercado Financiero (CMF) | Chile's financial regulator providing consumer education on mortgages and insurance. | We used CMF to explain which insurance is typically required with a mortgage. We also separated common insurance from bank-required coverage. |
| DIFROL | The state agency handling border and territorial matters in Chile. | We used DIFROL to confirm Chile's border-zone restrictions for certain foreign nationals. We explained the special zones exception in plain language. |
| Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG) | Chile's official immigration authority describing residency categories. | We used SERMIG to clarify what residency status means in Chile. We confirmed that property ownership does not lead to residency. |
| Tesoreria General de la Republica (TGR) | The government body that collects property taxes in Chile. | We used TGR to cross-check how contribuciones are calculated and collected. We reinforced that this is a recurring cost owners must budget for. |
| ChileAtiende - Certificado de Dominio Vigente | Official guidance for obtaining ownership-status certificates in Chile. | We used this to explain the key document buyers should request to verify ownership. We built our due diligence checklist around this certificate. |
| ChileAtiende - Certificado de Hipotecas y Gravamenes | Official guidance for checking liens and encumbrances in Chile. | We used this to describe how buyers confirm there are no liens. We made the due diligence steps concrete and document-based. |
| Banco Santander Chile | One of Chile's largest retail mortgage lenders with clear product documentation. | We used Santander's mortgage pages to verify current lending practices. We included them as a foreigner-friendly bank option. |
| SII - RUT Registration for Foreigners | Official tax authority guidance on tax ID registration for foreign investors. | We used this to support the practical requirement that foreigners need a RUT. We framed the tax ID section around this official guidance. |
| MINVU - Copropiedad Regulations | Chile's housing ministry publishing the legal framework for condominiums. | We used MINVU's regulations to explain how building-level rules can restrict what owners can do. We connected this to rental and renovation restrictions. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Chile. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
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