In Belize, an attorney is not required, but many people choose to use one. There are many Attorneys available to help you with your purchase.  They generally charge 2% of the purchase price of the land. Some paralegals will also work as closing agents and usually charge a flat fee instead.

The Country of Belize recently went through a simplification of the land recording and ownership process in portions of the Country.  These are referred to as ‘registered areas’.  If the land you are buying is within a registered area, it is a very simple process for you to view the register and know if the land you are considering is owned outright, and if it has any mortgages or encumbrances on it. If the land is not within a registered area, it is a bit more complicated process and would be worth your while to retain the services of a title searcher which will average around $250. Title Insurance is available for 2% of the cost of the land.

Through Belize Land Office, purchases can generally be made using US dollars and can be deposited into a U.S. bank account. One of the benefits of being in both the United States and Belize is the ease of purchasing land using the currency system you are familiar with! For those already in Belize, land purchases can also be made using Belize Currency.

Belize Land Office interest rates range from 8% to 12% for financed properties, depending on the amount of down payment and the length of contract. This is simple interest, calculated on the declining balance, different from the norm here in Belize and substantially lower than many lending institutions within Belize.

The cost for the creating and filing the paperwork required to transfer a land certificate can vary. If using a closing attorney, expect a minimum of $2000. Belize Land Office often works directly with a paralegal that will complete and file the same paperwork for a flat fee of $1100. 

In addition to the paperwork and recording fees, Belize charges a conveyance tax, or Stamp Transfer Tax, on all property sales. The rate is currently 5% for Belize residents and 8% for foreign purchasers.

Currently, for owner financed or land contract sales the transfer tax can be deferred until you pay the property off and the land certificate is officially transferred into your name.  You pay the down payment, enter into the land contract and commence monthly payments.   At the time that you have the land paid in full, you will pay the Government of Belize the conveyance transfer tax of 8% of the valuation of the land, with the first $10,000 BZE being exempt.  Example: if you purchase a property for $20,000 the conveyance is calculated on $10,000.  The conveyance tax is $800 paid to the Government of Belize at the time the transfer is done.  In addition they charge a $15 fee for the recording and $15 for the issuance of the new land certificate into your name.

Also of note: There is no capital gains tax in Belize, only the conveyance tax you pay when you purchase.

Property taxes are very economical.  Seafront properties command the most….$50 per acre per year for each acre within ½ mile of the sea.  For example, a two acre seafront parcel will be $100 per year, a half acre parcel, $25 per year, etc.  Off-water properties, less than 30 acres and more than ½ mile from the sea, are only 50 cents per acre per year.  31 acres up to 300 acres are $2.50 per acre per year.  Currently there is a land tax only, with no additional tax when you build a home on the land.

Travel from the US, Canada, and many countries does not require an Entry Visa. Travelers with a valid multiple entry visa or Permanent Residence Card from the US or Canada and those with a Schengen visa will be stamped in for a 30 day travel visa through Immigration.  If you will be here for longer than the 30 days you must go into one of the many immigration offices throughout the country to extend your visitor's permit. This consists of presenting your passport and paying the fee. They will stamp you in for the next 30 days and this will continue for the first 6 months that you are in the country.  This fee increases commencing the 7th month you are in the country until you become a resident. You can apply for permanent residency after being here for one year. Please refer to the official Belize Immigration page for the most up-to-date information and to view all requirements.

If you work remotely, there is a Work Where You Vacation option in Belize. For more traditional employment, there are also work permit options available for foreigners that want to do business here prior to obtaining their residency status. Temporary Employment Permits are issued for up to one year. Employment Visas are available if you are hired by a Belizean company or are consulting in Belize, the sales representative of an overseas company, foreign media personnel, or a Technical Professional performing works in Belize.  

Departure Tax Note:  when you exit the country.  It is $37.50 US at the Belize City airport (now included in your airline ticket if you purchased on line) and $32.50 Bze when you exit at the northern border.

Special Note: Retirement Incentive Program: This might be just what you are looking for if you would like to bring your vehicle, airplane, boat and personal household items into Belize under an import duty exemption – check their website to see if you quality: https://www.belizetourismboard.org/programs-events/retirement-program/  

Many people purchase a land parcel without coming to Belize to view it first, often on a land contract with owner financing. All land parcels offered with owner financing by Belize Land Office come with a “Trade in Option”….. at any time during the course of your land contract you will have the option of exchanging your land parcel for any other land that we offer. This can be done at any time prior to the land being paid in full and the land certificate being recorded into the Buyer's name. 

This option allows you the flexibility of checking out many different areas of the country and many different types of land (mountains, inland water ways, lakefront, seafront, etc.) while guaranteeing that 100% of the principle paid in will be credited toward the down payment of any other parcel that may be available. You may upgrade, downgrade, even change to a different district, or a different type of property.

If life takes a different turn and you decide that the tropics are no longer for you, you can always put your property on the market, either with Belize Land Office or another real estate company. Belize Land Office also offers the option for an early termination on your contract if unforeseen circumstances come up and you don't have time to sell your property. You will lose your down payment, all monies paid in, and a small early termination fee, but you will be released from your contract in order to explore your next adventure.