15. What’s Next for Real Estate Law in Mexico?

[Ciro Antonio Martínez Morales]

Legal Trends Every Foreign Investor Should Watch

Let’s wrap up this series by looking ahead.
If you’re serious about real estate in Mexico, you shouldn’t just know how the system works today — you need to understand where it’s going.

Here are the key legal and regulatory trends every foreign investor should track going into 2025:

1. Fideicomiso Simplification & Digitalization

In recent years, Mexico’s Foreign Investment Law has undergone updates to make fideicomisos:

• Easier to create (faster bank coordination)

• Cheaper to maintain (banks competing on fees)

• More transparent (improved registration & digital reporting)

📈 Expect more digital platforms and online management portals for trust holders — especially in tourist-heavy states like Quintana Roo, Baja California, and Jalisco.

2. Tax Enforcement for Short-Term Rentals

With platforms like Airbnb now cooperating with the Mexican tax authority (SAT), we’re seeing:

• Increased cross-checking of income and bank deposits

• SAT audits focused on foreigners who rent but don’t declare

• Mandatory tax declarations tied to property usage

💡 What this means: If you're planning to operate an Airbnb, expect stricter enforcement and digital reporting by 2025.

3. Tighter Zoning & Urban Planning Laws

Municipalities in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Vallarta are tightening development codes:

• Stricter environmental impact rules

• Limits on density, construction height, and condo permits

• Pressure to comply with new urban development plans (PDUs)

If you’re investing in pre-construction or land, work only with developers who provide verified permits and zoning certificates.

4. Global Pressure for AML (Anti-Money Laundering) Compliance

Mexico is aligning with global standards for anti-money laundering in real estate:

• Enhanced vetting of foreign wire transfers

• Stronger ID verification for buyers and sellers

• Reporting thresholds for cash transactions are being lowered

5. Push for Land Ownership Reform in Coastal Zones

There are growing conversations — especially in political circles — about potential alternatives to the fideicomiso system.
While nothing has been officially proposed yet, 2025 could bring:

• A new pathway to direct title for foreigners under certain visa types

• Reform around “second-home” use and limits for non-residents

This doesn’t mean fideicomisos will disappear, but staying informed will be critical if major reforms are announced.

✅ Final Reflection:

Mexico is evolving fast.
What was true in 2015 may no longer apply in 2025.

As a foreign investor, your best move is to:

• Stay informed

• Work with legal professionals

• Ask the hard questions before buying

• And never assume that what worked for someone else will work for you

If you’ve followed this 15-part series — thank you.
My goal has been to educate, protect, and empower you to invest with confidence.

To your success,
— Ciro