How Many Houses Can Foreigners Own in Vietnam at Maximum?

How many houses can foreigners own in Vietnam at maximum is a central legal issue specifically regulated by the Law on Housing and implementing documents. Under current regulations, foreign individuals and organizations have the right to own housing through legal civil transactions but must strictly adhere to geographical and quantitative limits. Long Phan Consulting Company details the regulations below.

Are foreign organizations and individuals allowed to own housing in Vietnam?

According to Clause 1, Article 17 of the Law on Housing 2023, eligible foreign entities include:

1. Foreign-invested economic organizations investing in housing construction projects in Vietnam.
2. Foreign-invested economic organizations, branches, representative offices of foreign enterprises, foreign investment funds, and branches of foreign banks operating in Vietnam.
3. Foreign individuals allowed to enter Vietnam.

>>>See more: Consultation on how foreigners can own houses in Vietnam

What is the maximum number of terraced houses that foreigners are allowed to buy in Vietnam?

Based on Clause 1, Article 19 of the Law on Housing 2023 and Decree 95/2024/ND-CP:

1. Apartments: Foreigners can own a maximum of 30% of the total number of residential apartments in a single apartment building (including mixed-use buildings).

• Note: If a building has multiple blocks sharing a podium, the 30% cap applies to each block.

2. Individual Houses (Villas, Townhouses): In an area with a population equivalent to a ward-level administrative unit:

• If there is only 01 project: Maximum 250 houses.
• If there are 02 or more projects: Total ownership across all projects must not exceed 250 houses.

Note: If the quota (250 houses) in an area is filled, foreigners cannot own additional individual houses in other projects within that same area.

Forms of ownership for foreign organizations and individuals of housing, including both apartments and detached houses.

According to Clause 2, Article 17 of the Law on Housing 2023:

• Investors (Type a): Own housing through implementing housing construction projects.
• Organizations/Individuals (Type b, c): Own housing through purchase, hire-purchase, gift, or inheritance of commercial housing within investment projects not located in national defense/security areas.
• Transfer: They can also buy/hire-purchase from other foreign organizations/individuals who already own housing.

Areas where foreigners are not allowed to own property in Vietnam.

Based on Article 16, Law on Housing 2023 and Article 4, Decree 95/2024/ND-CP, foreigners cannot own housing in areas ensuring national defense and security, including:

1. Areas adjacent to critical defense/security zones.
2. Areas adjacent to military barracks and planned defense land.
3. Areas adjacent to headquarters of state administrative agencies and Party organs (provincial level and above).
4. Border areas (land, sea), islands.
5. Safety corridors of important national security works.
6. Areas where foreigners are not allowed to reside.

What regulations must foreigners comply with when owning property in Vietnam?

According to Article 21, Law on Housing 2023 and Circular 05/2024/TT-BXD:

• Foreign Individuals: Can lease their property for legal purposes but must notify the district-level housing management agency and pay taxes.
  • Marriage Exception: Foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens residing in Vietnam have ownership rights like Vietnamese citizens (no quantity/term limit).
• Foreign Organizations: Can only use housing to accommodate their employees; cannot use it for lease business.
• Payment: Must be made through credit institutions/foreign bank branches operating in Vietnam.
• Violation: If expelled/deported or forced to terminate operations for violations, the housing will be handled by competent authorities.

>>>See more: How long is the duration for foreigners to own houses in Vietnam?

Administrative procedures for foreigners to own houses in Vietnam.

Based on Decree 95/2024/ND-CP:

Step 1: Preparation Foreign individuals need a valid passport with an entry stamp and a written commitment regarding non-diplomatic status.

Step 2: Transaction & Notification Within 03 working days of signing the contract, the seller (investor) notifies the provincial housing management agency to post information on the portal (to track quotas).

Step 3: Certificate Issuance Before issuing the Certificate (Pink Book), the authority checks the posted information. Upon issuance, they notify the provincial agency within 03 working days to update the quota tracking.

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Long Phan Consulting provides home ownership procedure consulting services for foreigners.

Long Phan Consulting Company provides comprehensive support:

• Advisory: Detailed advice on conditions, quotas, and restricted areas.
• Solutions: Resolving legal obstacles preventing ownership.
• Dossier: Preparing necessary documents rapidly.
• Procedures: Representing clients in working with authorities and monitoring certificate issuance.
• Cost: Transparent service fees.

Frequently Asked Questions about Home Ownership Procedures for Foreigners.

Below are some frequently asked questions about the procedures for foreigners to own a home; please refer to them:

What is the ownership duration?

Maximum 50 years from the date of Certificate issuance, renewable once for not more than 50 years. (Legal Basis: Point c, Clause 2, Article 20, Law on Housing 2023).

Does a foreigner married to a Vietnamese citizen have limits?

No. They enjoy ownership rights like Vietnamese citizens (freehold, no quantity cap). (Legal Basis: Point c, Clause 2, Article 21, Law on Housing 2023).

Can foreign organizations lease out their property?

No. They can only use it to house their employees. (Legal Basis: Point b, Clause 2, Article 21, Law on Housing 2023).

What if the passport expires during the transaction?

The passport must be valid and have an entry stamp at the time of signing the transaction. (Legal Basis: Point c, Clause 2, Article 3, Decree 95/2024/ND-CP).

Conclusion

Understanding How Many Houses Foreigners Can Own helps ensure sustainable asset protection. Clients must strictly follow quota and area regulations. For specialized support on foreign ownership procedures, please contact Long Phan Consulting Company via Hotline 1900636389.