Buying Outside the Restricted Zone in Mexico?

[Ciro Antonio Martínez Morales]

Here’s How You Can Legally Own Property

If you’re looking to buy real estate in Mexico and the property is outside the so-called “Restricted Zone” (more than 50 km from the coast or 100 km from any international border), you’re in luck — because you can own the property directly in your name as a foreigner.

This type of ownership is called fee simple title, and it’s very similar to how property ownership works in the U.S. or Canada. Here's what that means in practical terms:

🔹 You purchase the property directly in your name as an individual foreign buyer
🔹 You must register with Mexico’s National Registry of Foreign Investment (RNIE)
🔹 You’ll sign a commitment to be treated as a Mexican national solely for the purposes of this specific property

This form of ownership is common in places like Querétaro, San Miguel de Allende, and Mexico City, where the location lies outside the constitutional Restricted Zone.

👉 Since no fideicomiso (bank trust) or Mexican corporation is required, the process is simpler, involves fewer administrative layers, and generally has lower long-term costs.

That said, working with a qualified local attorney and real estate professional is essential. They’ll ensure the property has clean title, verify all documentation, and guide you through the legal and notarial process to avoid any issues down the line.

🔜 In the next post, I’ll explain how buying through a Mexican corporation works — a structure often used for commercial or income-generating properties.