Buying property by a foreigner in Belarus (2024)

In recent years, residential and non-residential real estate in Belarus have been in the interests of foreign citizens and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, Belarus has a fairly stable domestic political and economic situation and the real estate market is not subject to sharp fluctuations. Secondly, Belarus is famous for its nature and hospitable people.

Most often foreigners buy housing in Belarus for 3 main reasons. The first reason is to move to a permanent place of residence in Belarus (buying real estate in Belarus will give you the right to permanent residence (residence permit) in Belarus). The second - frequent business trips. The third reason is the purchase of real estate for investment purposes.

Today, there are absolutely no restrictions on the purchase of residential and non-residential real estate in Belarus for foreign citizens. Any foreign citizen can buy any real estate in Belarus; you should have just a valid passport.

Buying property by a foreigner in Belarus (1)

Nuances and peculiarities of buying real estate by foreigners (documents):

- When concluding a transaction, a foreigner must have his passport translated and notarized (here you can find the list of translation agencies);

- If the foreign buyer does not speak in our official languages, the law requires that a professional translator should be present in the transaction.

The peculiarity of concluding a contract of sale of real estate with foreign citizens today is only that they can not acquire ownership of land. If a foreign citizen wants to buy a house, the land on which he is located (if the land is owned), goes into the lease and the foreigner should be given the right to lease it.

How to buy an apartment in the Republic of Belarus for a foreign citizen: stages and steps of purchase and registration of ownership

  1. Determining the budget for buying an apartment and finding a suitable option for finding an apartment.

Currently, there are several options for finding an apartment to buy in Belarus:

- searching for an apartment via the Internet: this option is now one of the most popular. There are several large websites in Belarus where sellers and buyers of real estate place their ads. Below are these sites.

www.realt.by;

www.onliner.by;

www.hata.by.

- search for an apartment through a real estate agency: foreigners often resort to this option. Since foreign citizens often do not know the local market and do not know prices or locations, attracting a competent agent is the right decision.

The real estate agency is obliged to conclude a contract with you for real estate services, as well as to agree with you in advance on the cost of services. As a rule, the cost of services will be determined based on the percentage of the transaction.

It should be noted that each real estate agency in Belarus should have a license of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus to provide real estate services. We advise you to make sure that the agency has the appropriate license before signing the contract.

  1. When you have found a suitable property and you are sure that it suits you, you can discuss the final value of the property with the owner (his representative or agency). In the Republic of Belarus, it is normal practice to "bargain" in real estate purchase and sale transactions.
  2. Checking the real estate object (encumbrances, mortgages, arrests).

If you decide to make a purchase of an apartment by yourself, you need to make sure that the apartment you buy is not under any obligation or arrest.

This can be done by yourself, through a real estate agent, or you can hire a lawyer to check the property.

You can do it by yourself in a real estate registration organization by sending a request to them.

  1. A deal to buy an apartment.

The seller and the buyer (or their representatives under a power of attorney) must be present in order to make the purchase transaction. If the buyer is a foreign national, it is necessary to have a notarized translation of the passport, as well as the original passport.

As mentioned above, if a foreigner does not know Russian or Belarusian, a certified translator should be present during the transaction.

Transactions for the purchase and sale of immovable property can take place both at the notary and in the organization, carrying out the registration of immovable property.

As a rule, the transaction takes no more than 1 (one) hour. Upon completion of the transaction, the new owner will receive a Certificate of ownership of the apartment.

  1. Within a reasonable time after the purchase of the apartment, you will need to reissue the contracts for electricity, water, Internet, telephone. All reissuance will take you no more than a few hours.

If it is a question of buying a house, the order of registration practically does not change. The only nuance is that foreign citizens cannot own land in the Republic of Belarus, so when buying a house, the house becomes the property of the buyer, and the land is leased and transferred to the new owner for rent for 99 years.

Buying property by a foreigner in Belarus (2)

Purchase of commercial real estate in the Republic of Belarus

Foreign citizens have the right to buy and invest in commercial real estate in the Republic of Belarus. The order of registration of the transaction on purchase of the nonresidential real estate is absolutely similar to the order of purchase of the inhabited real estate described above. One of the main reasons for the purchase of commercial real estate in Belarus by foreign citizens is the possibility of obtaining a residence permit in Belarus.

Real estate tax in the Republic of Belarus

If a foreigner owns more than 1 immovable property, he must pay property tax once a year. To do this, we recommend you to go to the tax office at the place of residence of the foreign citizen: the tax inspector will calculate the amount of tax you need to pay and explain how to pay it. Then you will receive your property tax invoices annually by mail. If you own only 1 property, there is no need to pay any tax.

Buying property by a foreigner in Belarus (2024)

FAQs

Can foreigners buy real estate in Belarus? ›

Thus, a foreign citizen cannot own a land plot (except in cases of inheritance), but has the right to rent it. To complete a sale and purchase transaction, a foreigner must provide a notarized translation of the passport, if it is not in Russian.

How do I get permanent residency in Belarus? ›

HOW TO OBTAIN A RESIDENCE PERMIT IN BELARUS
  1. investing around 135,000 euros in investment objects of the Republic of Belarus;
  2. marriage with a citizen of the Republic of Belarus;
  3. stay on the territory of the Republic of Belarus on the basis of a temporary residence permit for 5 (five) years continuously;

Why does the US allow foreigners to buy property? ›

Because the US has no citizenship requirement for real estate sales, non-US citizens can buy property in the US. In fact, foreigners can even qualify for a mortgage if they meet certain requirements.

Can foreigners live in US if they own property? ›

No, buying a house in the USA does not mean that you automatically qualify for a green card. Owning real estate in the USA does not give you any immigration or visa benefits and you will be subject to the same eligibility process as any other non-resident if applying for a green card.

How long can a US citizen stay in Belarus? ›

U.S. passport holders traveling to Belarus via Minsk International Airport may enter visa-free for up to 30 days (the 30-day limit includes the day of arrival and the day of departure) for tourism or business.

Can a foreigner open a bank account in Belarus? ›

You can open a bank deposit in the Republic of Belarus both in Belarusian rubles and in foreign currency. Foreign citizens and foreign legal entities are also entitled to open deposits in Belarus.

How long does it take for a foreigner to become a permanent resident? ›

You can expect the processing time for permanent residence to be more lengthy than most other visas. According to USCIS, an application for permanent residence (Form I-485) will take anywhere from 6 months to 33 months to process.

What is the fastest way to get permanent residency? ›

5 Fastest Ways to Gain US Permanent Residency
  1. Investor Green Card. Estimated time: 2.5 years to 5 years. ...
  2. Family-Based Green Card. Estimated time: 1 year to 15 years. ...
  3. Marriage-Based Green Card. Estimated time: 9-14 months. ...
  4. Extraordinary Ability Green Card. Estimated time: 8 months to 2 years. ...
  5. Company Transfer Green Card.
Jan 17, 2023

Does Belarus allow dual citizenship? ›

DUAL CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED. LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP: VOLUNTARY: Permitted under Belarussian law, provided the person is not involved in any criminal proceedings and has no outstanding debts or obligations to Belarus. Contact nearest Belarussian Embassy for information on renouncing citizenship.

Do US citizens pay property tax on foreign property? ›

Do US Citizens Have to Pay Taxes on Foreign Property? All US citizens must file a yearly tax return regardless of where they live in the world. When filing your return, you must report your worldwide income. This includes any gain or loss from selling a foreign property and rental income.

Do I need to declare foreign property in USA? ›

Yes, you must report foreign properties on your U.S. tax return just like you would report any owned U.S. property.

How much US property is owned by foreigners? ›

Highlights: Foreign Investment US Real Estate Statistics

From April 2020 to March 2021, investors from outside the United States bought 107,000 properties worth $54.4 billion in the United States. Foreign-born individuals make up 14.25 percent of the population in the country's 50 largest metros, on average.

Which country gives citizenship after buying property? ›

Portugal, Spain, and Greece are popular countries where you can buy a property and get residency among investors who want to become residents of the EU. As European residents, investors get liquid assets and become eligible to travel within the Schengen Area without visas.

Can I get US citizenship if I buy a house? ›

Does buying a property in the USA give you residency? Purchasing American homes doesn't automatically put you on your path to citizenship. But there are other ways to earn permanent residency in the United States if you are a foreign national or an immigrant.

Can a foreigner buy a house in USA cash? ›

While foreigners can buy property in the US, the easiest way to purchase your home if you are a foreigner is to pay the full price in cash. If you need financing (a mortgage), you will have to meet certain financing requirements.

Is Belarus visa free for Americans? ›

Yes. US citizens traveling to or transiting through Belarus for any purpose are required to have a visa. Temporary stay visas permit stays of up to 90 days in one calendar year. Belarusian authorities enforce visa validity very strictly.

What country allows US citizens to stay the longest? ›

Albania is one of the countries with the longest tourist visas. US citizens may stay in Albania for up to one year without a residence permit. At one year you must depart Albania and stay out of the country for 90 days before re-entering if you do not have a residence permit.

Is there an American Embassy in Belarus? ›

U.S. Embassy Minsk, Belarus - The National Museum of American Diplomacy.

Which countries are easiest for foreigners to open a bank account? ›

Which Countries are Ideal for Setting Up an Offshore Bank Account?
  • Switzerland. Switzerland is a popular choice for opening offshore accounts for several reasons. ...
  • Hong Kong. ...
  • Cayman Islands. ...
  • Germany. ...
  • Belize. ...
  • Singapore.
Feb 17, 2023

Can a foreigner open a business in Belarus? ›

The main question when registering an LLC by non-residents (foreigners) is whether there are any restrictions for non-residents (foreigners) in starting a business in the Republic of Belarus? The answer is simple - no. Any foreign individual or legal entity can become a founder of a Belarusian LLC.

Which bank can a foreigner open an account? ›

However, larger banks such as US Bank, TD Bank, Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo will allow non-residents to set up a checking account and a savings account. Instead of your SSN, they'll ask for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and other documents.

What is the 50 20 rule for immigration? ›

The applicant is age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and has lived as an LPR in the United States for at least 20 years; or. The applicant is age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and has lived as an LPR in the United States for at least 15 years.

What is the 3 year rule for citizenship? ›

3 Years of Continuous Residence. The spouse of a U.S. citizen residing in the United States must have continuously resided in the United States as an LPR for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of the filing the application and up to the time of the Oath of Allegiance.

What is the 4 year 1 day rule for U.S. citizenship? ›

An applicant applying for naturalization under INA 316, which requires 5 years of continuous residence, must then wait at least 4 years and 1 day after returning to the United States (whenever 364 days or less of the absence remains within the statutory period), to have the requisite continuous residence to apply for ...

Where is the easiest place to get residency? ›

In Europe, countries that give residence permits easily are Portugal, Cyprus, Greece, Montenegro and Malta. You can easily obtain residency in the Americas in Antigua and Barbuda, Mexico, Belize, and Nicaragua. Asian countries whose residence permits are easy to get are Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

What proves permanent residency? ›

The only acceptable evidence includes one of the following:

Copy of U.S. civil issued birth certificate. Copy of alien registration card. Copy of naturalization/citizenship certificate.

What qualifies for permanent residency? ›

You can become a permanent resident in several ways, including: sponsorship by a family member or U.S. employer; refugee or asylee status or other humanitarian programs; or. individual filing.

Can a US citizen go to Belarus? ›

Do not travel to Belarus due to the Belarusian authorities' continued facilitation of Russia's war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy's limited ability to assist U.S. citizens ...

What country does the US not allow dual citizenship? ›

Yes, some countries don't allow dual citizenship with America. Among them are China, United Arab Emirates, India, Austria, Japan, and some others. If you want to obtain citizenship of these countries, you need to renounce your American passport.

What is the succession law in Belarus? ›

The Civil Code of the Republic of Belarus determines that heirs are called to inherit in order of priority, that is, the heirs of the first order, then the second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. inherit first.

Can my parents give me $100 000? ›

Lifetime Gifting Limits

Each individual has a $11.7 million lifetime exemption ($23.4M combined for married couples) before anyone would owe federal tax on a gift or inheritance. In other words, you could gift your son or daughter $10 million dollars today, and no one would owe any federal gift tax on that amount.

How can a foreigner avoid US estate tax? ›

NRNCs and foreign trusts incur U.S. estate tax on bequests of U.S. situs assets. If such U.S. assets are held in a foreign corporation, they are excluded from U.S. estate tax. The foreign corporation, or LLC taxed as a corporation, is used to break the U.S. estate and gift tax connection to U.S. situs assets.

Is foreign property taxable if you inherit it? ›

Do I have to pay taxes on foreign inheritance to the IRS? Do I have to pay taxes on foreign inheritance to the IRS? No, the IRS does not impose taxes on foreign inheritance or gifts if the recipient is a U.S. citizen or resident alien.

What happens if you don't report foreign assets? ›

There are serious consequences if you don't report your foreign accounts. If you don't disclose your offshore accounts, you may be caught through an IRS audit and your foreign accounts may be frozen. The IRS may also impose penalties for failure to comply with offshore account disclosures.

Which foreign assets should I report to IRS? ›

Foreign stock or securities, if you hold them outside of a financial account, must be reported on Form 8938, provided the value of your specified foreign financial assets is greater than the reporting threshold that applies to you.

Do I have to report foreign bank account to IRS? ›

A U.S. person, including a citizen, resident, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust and estate, must file an FBAR to report: a financial interest in or signature or other authority over at least one financial account located outside the United States if.

What country owns the most US property? ›

In a study of USDA reports, Pew found the foreign country that owns the most U.S. land is not China or Russia, but rather, our neighbors north: Canada. Investors from the Great White North, according to the USDA, own about 12.8 million acres of U.S. land, most of it forest land.

What foreign country owns most real estate in USA? ›

Despite that increase, it's still only 0.88 percent of the 40 million acres owned by foreign countries at the end of 2021. Canada accounts for the most foreign-owned land in the U.S. at 31 percent, followed by the Netherlands at 12 percent.

What nationality owns the most property in the US? ›

White Americans, by comparison, own more than 98 percent of U.S. land amounting to 856 million acres with a total worth of over $1 trillion. CNN founder Ted Turner alone owns over 2 million acres of land according to Forbes magazine.

What countries can a US citizen relocate to by buying a house? ›

Countries Where U.S. Citizens Can Buy Property 2023
  • Anguilla.
  • Barbados.
  • Bermuda.
  • Cayman Islands.
  • Mexico.
  • Turks and Caicos.

What is the most powerful passport? ›

No. 1 most powerful passport in the world: Japan

As of 2023, Japanese passport holders can visit 193 of 227 destinations visa-free, which is 85% of the world, according to data from the International Air Transport Association compiled by Henley & Partners.

What is the cheapest country to buy citizenship in? ›

All in all, there are only four cheapest CBI programs – St Lucia, Dominica, Antigua, Vanuatu hitting above the $100,000 range. These are the most cost effective and affordable to many families. All other programs such as St Kitts, Grenada exceed the $150,000 mark.

How much money do you need to invest in the US to get a green card? ›

To obtain a United States passport, you must invest at least $800,000 in an American company, receive a permanent Green Card, and then live in the country for five years. After that, you are eligible to obtain an American passport by naturalisation.

Which country gives fastest citizenship? ›

At the moment Vanuatu has the fastest processing times for citizenship by investment applications. There is also a possibility for stateless to become a citizen and acquire passports through the investment schemes. These are the fastest countries to become a world citizen through citizenship by investment schemes.

How long does it take for a foreigner to become a U.S. citizen? ›

The processing time for naturalization (citizenship) averages 8-13 months (Boundless updates this information monthly based on our analysis of government data). During this time, as the government works to process the Application for Naturalization, applicants must complete several steps before becoming citizens.

How much should a foreign buyer of US property pay for down payment? ›

Typically, foreign buyers are expected to pay higher down payments. “A minimum 35% down payment is required for foreign buyers,” says Smart. However, options vary depending on if a Canadian's primary residence is in the states or in Canada.

Do I get a visa if I buy a house in the US? ›

Buying Property in USA – FAQs

Owning real estate in the USA does not give you any immigration or visa benefits and you will be subject to the same eligibility process as any other non-resident if applying for a green card.

Is it safe to invest in Belarus? ›

Belarus was ranked 49 among the 190 countries surveyed in the 2020 World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report. It has established preferential investment regimes in special economic zones such as the Hi-Tech Park and the industrial Great Stone Park.

Can US citizens buy real estate in Ukraine? ›

Foreign citizens have the right to buy and own any type of apartment in Ukraine. There are no restrictions on buying any property in Ukraine except agricultural land. Also, the number and size of apartments that a foreigner can own are unlimited.

Which country is the safest to invest in? ›

Here is our list of the most secure, stable banks for protecting your assets abroad.
  • LUXEMBOURG. This tiny European country is one of the richest in the world and is usually associated with stability and economic freedom. ...
  • SOUTH KOREA. ...
  • SINGAPORE. ...
  • CANADA. ...
  • FRANCE. ...
  • SWEDEN. ...
  • NORWAY. ...
  • NETHERLANDS.

Is it safe for foreigners in Belarus? ›

Right now, most world governments advise their citizens against visiting Belarus. The country is probably safer for visitors than locals due to low levels of crime, but the political situation is not safe.

Is Belarus being sanctioned as well? ›

Specific sanctions have also been imposed on Belarus because of its growing involvement in the war. This engagement is long term. The latest package of sanctions was adopted in February 2023, nearly one year to the day from the start of Russia's aggression.

Does the US still have an embassy in Belarus? ›

Contact Us

46 Starovilenskaya St. Embassy is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed on American and Belarusian holidays. 46 Starovilenskaya St.

Is Belarus a sanctioned country by us? ›

The United States has imposed stringent export controls on Russia and on Belarus, which has helped enable Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

What are the benefits of Belarus citizenship? ›

These benefits include healthcare, education, and other social rights. Anyone can apply for a temporary residence permit if they have family in Belarus, plan to study in Belarus, own a property in Belarus, or work for a local company.

How long does it take to get Belarus citizenship? ›

had permanent residence in Belarus for 7 years preceding the application. has enough knowledge of one of the state languages (Belarusian or Russian) has legal income. has no foreign citizenship, or will lose the foreign citizenship after acquisition of Belarusian citizenship, or has renounced his citizenship.

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