Purpose of the Law

To allow a natural born citizen of the Philippines who has lost his Philippine citizenship to be a transferee of private land, for use by him as his residence.

Natural born citizen defined: One who is a citizen of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect his citizenship.

Who may avail of the privilege granted by law?

   1. Any natural-born citizen of the Philippines who has lost his Philippine citizenship;
   2. He must have the legal capacity to enter into a contract under Philippine laws:
   3. Must be of legal age – at least 18 years old
   4. Must have capacity to act – to do acts with legal effect

Requirements for the registration of titles

Submit to the Register of Deeds of the province or city where property is located a sworn statement showing the following:

   1. Date and place of birth
   2. Names and addresses of parents, spouse and children
   3. The area, location & mode of acquisition of his landholdings in the Philippines
   4. His intention to reside permanently in the Philippines
   5. Date he lost his Philippine citizenship & the country of which he is presently a citizen

Size of land that may be acquired/transferred

Residential Purpose 

            1,000 sqm - Urban Land (maximum)

         1 Hectare - Rural Land (maximum)

 Commercial Purpose

            5,000 sqm - Urban Land (maximium)

            3 Hectares - Rural Land (maximum)
 

In case of married couples, one of them may avail of the privilege PROVIDED, that if both shall avail of the same, the total area acquired shall not exceed the maximum size fixed.

A transferee who already owns an urban or rural land may still acquire or be a transferee of additional rural or urban land for -- Residential Purposes provided that his total landholdings shall not exceed the maximum area so fixed. 

A transferee may only acquire 2 lots which should be situated in different municipalities or cities in the Philippines, PROVIDED that it does not exceed the maximum allowable landholding.

A transferee who shall acquire urban land shall be disqualified from acquiring rural land and vice-versa.

Filipinos away from home who want to invest their hard-earned money in real estate would do well in familiarizing themselves with the laws that govern land acquisition in the Philippines as stated in the Constitution. There is no better way to secure a bright future than to have a place of your own here at home. Here are some facts that you will need to know before you proceed with any transaction and buy your dream house in the Philippines.

Only Filipino citizens and corporations and associations at least 60% of whose capital is owned by Filipinos may acquire private lands.

Foreigners are allowed to purchase a condominium unit, provided that total foreign ownership of the condominium corporation does not exceed 40 %. They may also inherit real property from their deceased Filipino spouses or parents. 

Children born to a Filipino parent, whether legitimate or illegitimate, may inherit the property of the Filipino parent, even if the child is not a Filipino citizen

Filipinos who lost their Filipino citizenship will remain the owners of any property they have acquired before changing nationalities. A natural-born Filipino citizen who has lost his Philippine citizenship may be a transferee of private land up to a maximum of 5,000 square meters in the case of urban land or three (3) hectares in the case of rural land. In case he already owns urban or rural land, he shall still be entitled to be a transferee of additional urban or rural land, provided that when these are added to those already owned by him, the aggregate area shall not exceed the said maximum areas.

Owning property in the Philippines can be the wisest investment anyone can make. No matter where you fly, there will come a time when you will want to go back to your roots or introduce loved ones from foreign lands to the beauty of the Philippines. Find the best location that will suit your lifestyle and budget.