Easiest Countries to Buy Land Investing or Farming

Most of the countries from around the world prohibit foreign nationals from buying land, mainly in their rural and agricultural areas. As of 2026, only around 30 to 35 countries allow internationals to acquire land. The rules and regulation for buying land in each one of these countries is different. For example, some countries impose limits on how much acreage a non-resident can own. Moreover, the bureaucracy, the paperwork, and tax system also varies from one country to another. So, in this video, we have listed the 12 most easiest countries to acquire land in the world. In comparison to their counterparts, buying land in these countries is lenient. However, be aware, zoning laws and building regulations are distinct from one country to another. But then again, some of these countries encourage international buyers by offering them clearances and approvals to use the land for many things such as homesteading, farming, winemaking, or just as a landscape for your country house. Number 12. Croatia. Croatia is one of those places that starts to look very attractive once you really dig into the land rules. For a foreigner, buying rural land is easy, especially if the land is meant for a home, lifestyle property, or long-term holding rather than active agricultural use. In many cases, rural land that is not officially designated as farmland or agricultural zone can be purchased directly by a foreign national. On the other hand, officially designated agricultural farmland cannot be bought directly by non-EU nationals. Instead, the common legal route is to establish a Croatian company and purchase the farmland through that company structure. Based on current online listings, the estimated median price per acre in central parts of the country is around per acre. But in the end, the final price depends on location, road access, soil quality, and whether the land is near tourist areas or inland villages. When it comes to taxes, farmland and even rural residential land are generally exempt from the nationwide annual property tax. Other than that, buyers are expected to pay a standard 3% property transfer tax when the purchase is completed. 11. Greece Buying a house or apartment in Greece is fairly easy, but when it comes to land, it can get a bit tricky. For example, foreigners are not allowed to buy land in close proximity to its borders, archaeological sites, or protected coastal areas. In other words, Greece does not shut the door on foreign buyers, but it does insist on buying the right kind of land in the right kind of place. Furthermore, the land purchase must be at least one acre and must have direct frontage on a legally recognized public road. The buyer is also not allowed to construct massive manor-type estate on the land. Only a small farmhouse, barn, or agricultural support structure is allowed. There is typically a one-time acquisition tax of around 3% at the time of purchase, while annual taxation becomes more relevant only if the land itself begins generating revenue. On the positive side, land buyers can even qualify for its famous residency visa. But for that, the combined value of the land acquisition and construction contract generally needs to fall within the price bracket of $400,000 to $550,000 US dollars. It is highly advised to hire a reputable lawyer and realtor before making a purchase here. 10. Italy Buying land in Italy is both complex and easy at the same time. Strange as that sounds, it is the truth of the Italian countryside. Italy does allow foreign nationals to buy property, and foreign buyers from the United States and the United Kingdom are active in the market, but the practical rule for non-EU buyers is reciprocity. So, the final check should always be done with an Italian notary before money changes hands. Most of the listed land may look appealing, but if it is not correctly zoned, it may not be buildable at all. That is why any serious purchase should be reviewed with an attorney and a realtor before you fall in love with the view. Plus, taxes in Italy are notoriously high. Buyers usually face three major categories of taxation, upfront purchase taxes, annual ownership taxes, and income taxes if the land generates any form of revenue. But despite all its drawbacks, the demand for acquiring land in Italy is very high. In its southern regions, rural land can still be found for around US$2,000 per acre, a figure that feels almost unbelievable when paired with the scenery, climate, and cultural richness surrounding it. 9. Turkey Turkey can feel very open on paper and very selective in practice. The door is not shut, but it is watched closely. For the right buyer, the upside is real. Its citizenship by investment route still includes a $400,000 real estate path, which keeps foreign demand alive. The tax side is comparatively light for ownership. Property tax on land is generally 0.1% to 0.3% annually. Land in fertile western regions sells for about $10,000 to $25,000 per acre. In more remote areas like eastern Anatolia, prices can dip to $2,000 to $4,000 per acre, while 2 to 3 acres of land with a pre-built small cottage with direct road access and in close proximity to a bigger city or town can be had for $200,000. Most of the times, such farmhouses need light touch-ups, such as plumbing, insulation, and wiring, after which all are ready to call home right away. The buying phases involve securing a tax number, check zoning, getting government clearance, and signing the title deed with a notary, all of which can be wrapped up in about 4 to 6 weeks. 8. Portugal Portugal has historically welcomed international investors. Whether you're from the European Union or a non-EU country like the United States or the United Kingdom, you can purchase land in Portugal. It is graced with a diverse terrain. Mountainous regions in the northern side of the country, plains in the interior, and a magnificent coastline on the exterior make it one of the most beautiful and satisfying places to invest in, though keep in mind prices have risen exponentially in the last couple of years mainly in areas near the sea like the Silver Coast and the Algarve. But nonetheless, rural regions like Alentejo and central Portugal have extensive variety of rural land that can go for around $16,000 per acre. Owning rural land in Portugal requires paying an annual municipal property tax of 0.8% of the land's value alongside potential one-time purchase tax and wealth tax if the land is part of a high-value real estate portfolio. 7. Spain Boasting magnificent tall mountains, distant plateaus, alongside heaps of green, arable, agricultural land and plains, Spain is one of the most geographically diverse regions in southern Europe. Foreign nationals can purchase rural land, farms, and countryside estates with ease, provided the zoning, water rights, and building permissions are verified beforehand. However, the country's upfront purchase taxes are very high, with an average 7% to 12% range depending on the region. Then comes the annual side of ownership. Property taxes continue every year, and if the land generates income, whether through farming or leasing, that income is taxable too. And yet despite all of this, people still buy property here, be it a house or rural land in the countryside. This is because in its certain regions like Castile-La Mancha, Aragon, Castile, and León, land can be as cheap as $2,400 per acre and usually comes pre-grazed and already planted with either olive trees or other productive greenery, making it a vital country to rack up cheap land. 6. South Africa South Africa offers a strikingly varied rural landscape, featuring everything from highland, plateaus, to plains and irrigated pockets. Rural land can be bought by foreigners, and there are currently no nationwide laws completely banning foreigners from purchasing farmland or rural property. Zoning laws are a bit lenient here, but still. Some rural plots are strictly agricultural and may limit residential construction, while others already include approved building rights. In most cases, if you want to build a farmhouse, lodge, storage barn, or other structures, most of its municipalities give permission easily. Tax-wise, South Africa is moderate. There is a transfer duty paid when purchasing property, and the amount depends on the value of the land. Lower-value purchases may pay little or no transfer tax, while higher-value properties can move into higher tax brackets. The average per acre price of rural and agricultural land in South Africa typically ranges from $800 to $2,600. The cost heavily depends on the region, soil quality, water access, and existing infrastructure. 5. Argentina Argentina is made up of endless cattle plains, vineyard valleys, rugged Patagonia, forested lake regions, and the dry northern farmland. It is a solid place for those looking for cheap, safe, workable, and appreciating land in Latin America. Foreigners are free to purchase, develop, or sell property in the country, provided that the area does not fall under the ownership of the government. Most of the vacant land around Buenos Aires is out of reach of even most affluent investors. But then again some areas, such as the Santa Fe and Mendoza, host rural land that can go for as low as $1,500 per acre. Plus, the country is teetering on another major currency adjustment, so those dealing in dollar can benefit from the prolific currency conversion rates. 4. Chile Known for its diverse geography, Chile features the Andes Mountains to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atacama Desert to the north, and a multitude of lakes, rivers, and forests in between. In most areas, foreigners can buy rural land directly in their own name without needing a local company structure. The main exceptions usually involve land located near international borders or in strategically sensitive regions where additional restrictions or approvals may apply. Compared to some neighboring countries, land titles and registries are often cleaner and more reliable. Most of its prime rural land with road access and in close proximity to the city averages around $17,000 per acre, though attractive plots with views near water or tourist areas can hike up to $25,000 per acre, and full cottage homes with an extra acre or two often run $80,000. 3. Mexico There is plenty of vacant rural land in Mexico. You can find desert ranch land in the north, tropical jungle acreage in the south, fertile farming valleys, mountain countryside, and beachfront parcels. Foreign nationals can legally own property, including rural land, but certain areas are considered restricted zones, which include land located within roughly 50 kilometers of the coastline and about 100 kilometers of international borders. Another thing to consider is that bureaucracy can move slowly here, and safety prospects vary on state or municipality. Because of this, it is generally better to avoid areas with unstable security situations or unclear land records. Therefore, hiring a reputable local lawyer before making any purchase is highly advised and honestly should be considered essential. American citizens make up the largest group of international buyers by far. That is largely because of Mexico's close proximity to the United States, lower land costs in many regions, and the overall ease with which Americans can purchase and spend time in the country. 2. Costa Rica Costa Rica is quite varied for its size. Everything from volcanic valleys, rainforest-covered hills, cattle pasture, jungle acreage, and mountain farmland exist within short distances of one another. Many buyers come here to purchase land in a tropical setting and build their own cottage-style home or small farm surrounded by nature. Non-citizens can buy land on their own name with the same ownership rights as locals. Plus, the country is politically stable, environmentally protected, and already has a strong international community of landowners. But then again, Costa Rica is not perfect. Bureaucracy can be slow at times, mainly when it comes to permits, utilities, water access, or zoning approvals. Prices for land, even in its interior part, are higher than most of the other countries listed in this video. Nonetheless, taxes in Costa Rica are low currently clocking at just 0.25% of the registered municipal value. 1. Uruguay Uruguay's countryside is built around open pasture, cattle country, fertile plains, vineyards, and long estancias. The country allows foreigners to purchase land with remarkable ease. There are no aggressive barriers and no excessive nationalism surrounding farmland ownership. Compared to many European jurisdictions, zoning approvals are very lax. Buyers can often develop farmhouse residences, agricultural structures, equestrian estates, or modest countryside homes without any layers of suffocating bureaucracy. As a working estimate, buyer-friendly rural land in Uruguay often sits in the rough range of about $7,500 to $18,000 per acre with better grassland, stronger access, and premium areas pushing higher. Purchase and registration costs apply at acquisition, while annual rural property taxation is generally moderate by international standards. Thanks for watching. If you find this video informative, be sure to leave a like, if not then a dislike, and don't forget to subscribe for more amazing content.