Can Foreigners Buy Property in Honduras? Rules for Roatan and the Coast
Can foreigners buy property in Honduras? Yes. It is one of the most frequent questions we receive, especially from people interested in Roatan real estate and beach property on the north coast. There are some limits for coastal and border areas, but they are well known and there are legal ways to work with them. This article explains the basics in plain language.
The rule: Article 107 of the Constitution
Article 107 of the Honduran Constitution says that land within 40 kilometers of the borders and the coasts — which includes the islands — can only be acquired by Honduran citizens or Honduran companies. Read alone, that would exclude foreigners from almost every beach property in the country.
The exception for residential and tourism property
In 1990 Honduras approved a decree (Decree 90-90) that allows foreigners to buy urban land in those zones for residential or tourism use, in areas declared for tourism such as the Bay Islands, with a maximum of 3,000 square meters (about 3/4 of an acre) per buyer. In practice this covers most homes, condos and building lots that foreign buyers look for in Roatan.
The buyer usually has to show that the property will be used for a home or a tourism project, and the purchase is registered like any other.
Buying larger properties: a Honduran company
If you want more than 3,000 m², or a property for a commercial project, the usual solution is to buy through a Honduran corporation. Foreigners can own the shares of the company, and the company owns the land. Setting up and maintaining a company has costs (registration, accounting, annual filings), so ask your attorney if it makes sense for your case.
Condos
When you buy a condo, you buy your unit plus a share of the common areas. Condos are popular with foreign buyers because they are simple to manage, usually have security and maintenance included in the HOA fee, and can often be rented when you are away. Always read the condo regulations before buying.
Protecting yourself: title, attorney and payments
- Hire your own attorney. In Honduras, property transfers are done before a notary, who is a lawyer. Have a lawyer who works for you, not only for the seller or the developer.
- Check the title. Your attorney should verify at the property registry (Instituto de la Propiedad) who the owner is, whether there are mortgages, liens or disputes, and whether property taxes are paid.
- Survey and boundaries. Confirm that what you see on the ground matches the registered plan, and check road access.
- Payments. Prices are usually in US dollars. Use escrow or the attorney’s trust account for deposits, never cash to an intermediary.
- Language. Official documents are in Spanish. If you don’t read Spanish well, ask for a translation before you sign.
The full process, step by step, and the typical closing costs are explained in Buying property in Roatan: process and closing costs.
Residency is a separate question
Owning property does not give you residency. Visitors from many countries can stay as tourists for a period and extend it; people who want to live in Honduras long term can apply for residency programs such as those for retirees (pensionado) or people with a steady income (rentista). Requirements change, so check them with an immigration attorney.
Summary
Foreigners can buy homes, condos and lots in Roatan and on the Honduran coast, directly up to 3,000 m² for residential use or through a Honduran company for larger properties. With a good attorney and a clean title, the process is straightforward.
Browse our Roatan properties for sale or our listings in other areas of Honduras, and contact us with your questions.
Updated 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws and their interpretation change: confirm every detail with a Honduran attorney before buying.