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
Yes, foreigners can buy residential property in Chile, and there is no golden visa that grants residency just for purchasing a home.
Chile's investor residence pathway requires at least USD 500,000 invested in producing goods or services, which is fundamentally different from buying an apartment or house for personal use.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest rules on property ownership and immigration in Chile.
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 "buy a home, get a visa" program, so the USD 500,000 investor threshold applies only to business investments producing goods or services, not residential purchases in Santiago or elsewhere.
- Permanent residency in Chile typically requires at least 24 months of qualifying temporary residence, though some categories may require up to 48 months before you can apply.
- Chilean citizenship through naturalization generally requires five years of residence plus holding permanent residency status, with shorter timelines possible for those with Chilean family ties.
- If you leave Chile for more than two continuous years after obtaining permanent residence, your status can be tacitly revoked unless you get a consular extension.
- Buying property near Chile's borders with Argentina, Bolivia, or Peru may trigger special restrictions under the "zona fronteriza" regime established by Decree Law 1939.
- Ownership of Chilean real estate is only legally complete after inscription in the Conservador de Bienes Raices registry, not just signing the deed at a notary.
- Chile's "rentista" temporary residence is based on stable passive income from assets or investments, not on simply owning a rental property in Chile.
- The InvestChile sponsorship letter is a prerequisite for the investor temporary residence category, and this agency verifies your investment plan before immigration considers your application.
Can buying property help me get permanent residency in Chile?
Does buying a property qualify or at least help for residency in Chile?
As of early 2026, buying residential property in Chile does not qualify you for any residency permit because Chile's immigration system is entirely permit-based and does not link home purchases to visa eligibility.
However, owning a home in Chile can serve as supporting evidence of local ties and stability when you apply for other visa categories such as work permits, family reunification, or the rentista (passive income) residence.
The only investment-related residence with a defined minimum is the Investor Temporary Residence, which requires at least USD 500,000 (approximately 470,000 EUR or 480 million Chilean pesos) invested in an activity that produces goods or services, plus sponsorship from InvestChile.
Beyond the investment amount, applicants for investor residence must obtain a sponsorship letter from InvestChile, provide a viable business plan, and apply from outside Chile through a Chilean consulate.
Is there any residency visa directly linked to property ownership in Chile right now?
As of early 2026, Chile does not offer any residency visa directly linked to purchasing residential property, whether as a main home or as a rental investment.
Buying a primary residence in Chile gives you real estate ownership rights and tax obligations, but it creates no immigration benefit whatsoever under current Chilean law.
Similarly, buying a rental or investment property in Chile does not qualify for residency either, though it may generate income that could support a "rentista" application if you can demonstrate stable passive income streams.
Can real estate investment lead to citizenship in Chile?
Can property investment directly lead to citizenship in Chile?
Buying residential real estate in Chile does not directly lead to citizenship because Chilean naturalization is based on residency status and time lived in the country, not on property investment amounts.
Investing more money in Chilean property will not accelerate your citizenship timeline since there is no citizenship-by-investment program in Chile.
The typical pathway from initial arrival to citizenship eligibility takes around seven years: at least two years of temporary residence, then permanent residence, then five additional years before you can apply for naturalization.
The key difference in Chile is that citizenship comes only through naturalization after residency, meaning you must actually live in Chile and build a genuine residence history rather than simply investing capital.
Is citizenship automatic after long-term residency in Chile?
Citizenship in Chile is never automatic and always requires a separate application process called "carta de nacionalizacion" even after you meet all residency requirements.
To be eligible for Chilean citizenship, you generally need at least five years of legal residence in Chile while holding permanent residency status.
Chile does not require formal language or civic knowledge tests for naturalization, but you must demonstrate ties to the country and submit extensive documentation including criminal records and identity verification.
Processing times for Chilean citizenship applications vary widely, but most applicants should expect several months to over a year from submission to final decision.
What are the real requirements to become a citizen in Chile?
Do I need physical presence for citizenship in Chile right now?
Chile requires that you have genuinely resided in the country for the required period, which means maintaining an actual life in Chile rather than just holding a permit while living elsewhere.
The physical presence requirement is calculated based on your residence history from the date your permanent residency was granted, and Chile counts this in complete years rather than specific days per year.
Authorities verify physical presence through your entry and exit stamps, residence card history, and other documentation showing you have been living in Chile during your residency period.
Applicants with Chilean spouses or children may qualify under shorter timelines (as few as two years with permanent residence), which effectively reduces the physical presence requirement for those with family ties.
Can my spouse and kids get citizenship too in Chile in 2026?
As of early 2026, spouses and children can pursue Chilean citizenship, but they must meet their own residency requirements rather than being automatically included in the main applicant's naturalization.
Family members generally cannot apply together in a single application because each person must independently demonstrate their own residence history and meet the requirements for their specific situation.
Children under 14 with permanent residence in Chile can be included in a parent's nationality application with proper authorization, while those 14 and older must apply separately once they meet the time requirements.
Spouses of Chilean citizens (or permanent residents with Chilean family ties) may benefit from a shorter two-year pathway to citizenship, but this requires proving the marriage is genuine and demonstrating continuous residence.
What are the most common reasons citizenship is denied in Chile?
The most common reason Chilean citizenship applications are denied is failing to meet the core requirements of holding permanent residency status and completing the required residence period in the country.
Two other frequently cited reasons for denial are criminal record issues (either in Chile or abroad) and inconsistent or incomplete documentation such as missing apostilles, incorrect translations, or mismatched identity records.
Applicants who are denied can generally reapply after addressing the deficiencies, though there is no fixed waiting period and the timeline depends on resolving whatever issue caused the initial rejection.
The single most effective step to avoid denial is to ensure you maintain continuous residence in Chile without extended absences, because leaving for more than two years can revoke your permanent residency and disqualify you entirely.