FAQ
Are you considering buying an apartment in Brazil from Europe?
Here are the answers to the questions that our clients most frequently ask us about property purchase, security, fees, taxation, renting, and our support.
1. Buy a property in Brazil
Yes, a non-resident foreigner can purchase urban real estate in Brazil. However, certain specific rules may apply to some rural properties or certain specific areas.
To purchase a property, you will particularly need a Brazilian CPF and the necessary documents for the formalisation and registration of the acquisition. We check the status of the property and the documents of the transaction before assisting you with your purchase.
Yes, the CPF is the Brazilian tax number. It is particularly necessary for non-resident foreigners who own assets subject to public registration in Brazil, such as real estate.
If you do not yet have a CPF, we can assist you with the steps to obtain it.
The CPF is the tax identification number assigned by the Brazilian administration to individuals. It is neither a visa nor a residence permit, and a foreigner can obtain a CPF without residing in Brazil.
No, it is possible to carry out the process remotely. Depending on the operation and the documents involved, most signatures can be done electronically or by proxy. We will explain exactly what needs to be signed, by whom, and according to which procedure.
When possible, we still recommend visiting the property and the area before making your decision.
Yes. A property can be purchased by several people. Each buyer must have the necessary documents, including their own CPF.
The distribution of ownership and the payment terms are defined in the contract of the operation.
No, you do not need to speak Portuguese to invest with us. We act as the interface with the various Brazilian stakeholders and assist you with administrative, contractual, and property-related procedures.
Nieilly Gomes, our Brazilian lawyer, analyses the documents and follows the procedures in Brazil. We also provide support in French, Dutch, and English.
Yes, a Brazilian bank account is not necessary to make payments for a property purchase.
A non-resident may, in particular, make a transfer to Brazil according to the terms agreed with the seller and the relevant financial institution.
We can nevertheless assist you in opening a free Brazilian bank account if it becomes useful for your payments or for managing your rental income.
2. Security and protection of your investment
As in any country, some areas require more vigilance than others. However, the properties we select are all located in residential and tourist districts of Maceió.
These are vibrant neighbourhoods, with restaurants, shops, beaches, and significant tourist activity. We have been living and investing there ourselves for several years. We do not claim that the risk does not exist: our role is to select the locations and properties in which we ourselves feel comfortable investing.
We select developers with significant experience and a track record of delivered projects.
Most projects also benefit from the legal regime of Patrimônio de Afetação. This regime allows for the separation of the assets allocated to the operation from those of the developer and specifically provides for a regime in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the incorporator.
However, this is not an automatic protection applicable to all projects. We therefore check the legal framework applicable to each programme and the contract clauses before recommending a purchase.
We do not limit ourselves to the price or the photos of the programme and we do not have partnerships with construction companies.
We particularly look at the history and reputation of the developer, the project, the location, the marketing stage, the characteristics of the property, the payment terms, and the contractual documents. We also conduct legal and documentary checks regarding the company.
3. Price, fees and financing
It is necessary to distinguish the price of the asset from the costs associated with the acquisition.
Depending on the operation and the municipality, you may particularly have:
- the ITBI ;
- the notary fees;
- the property registration fees;
- certain administrative fees;
The exact amount depends on the property and the municipality. We provide you with the estimated costs before your purchasing decision so that you can know the overall budget for the operation.
The INCC is a Brazilian index related to the cost of construction. When it is stipulated in the contract, it can lead to an adjustment of the amounts remaining to be paid during the construction. The impact particularly depends on the payment schedule, the amount still owed, and the evolution of the index.
We integrate it into our simulations so that you can assess the actual cost of the operation.
It is not a bank interest rate.
It is sometimes possible, but there is no standardised European property financing for purchasing a property in Brazil.
Some banks may consider financing secured by assets located in Europe, but this entirely depends on your financial situation and the institution's policy.
We therefore never consider European funding as guaranteed in our simulations.
Several solutions exist depending on the amount and nature of the payment, and the Central Bank of Brazil provides various options allowing a non-resident to finance the purchase of real estate in Brazil.
For monthly payments, international transfer services (like Wise) can be convenient. For larger amounts, it is often preferable to go through a Brazilian bank.
We provide you with the necessary information to ensure that each payment is correctly identified, and we assist you in setting up your free Brazilian bank account.
Yes. The price of the property and your payments being expressed in reais, a variation in the EUR/BRL exchange rate can alter the cost of your investment in euros.
But waiting for the ideal rate is a risky strategy: prices in BRL rise while you wait (+/-10% per year), the best units are sold, and the INCC inflates the remaining balance. Over 3-5 years, the appreciation of the property far exceeds the impact of a rate variation of 5-10%.
4. Profitability and rental
The yield strongly depends on the purchase price, location, area, type of property, level of furnishings, rental method, and occupancy rate.
In Maceió, some apartments intended for short-term rental can yield higher returns than long-term rentals.
We therefore prefer to present you with a simulation based on the specific asset rather than a guaranteed theoretical return.
The two strategies can be interesting.
Short-term rental:
- higher revenue potential;
- possibility of personally using the asset;
- more management and seasonal variation.
Long-term rental:
- more predictable income;
- less tenant turnover;
- generally simpler management;
- potentially lower yield.
The choice mainly depends on the type of property, its location, and your objective.
There is no occupancy rate that applies to all apartments in Maceió.
A studio by the sea in a modern building does not have the same demand as a one-bedroom flat in a residential area.
For each project, we analyse the local rental market and build a tailored estimate for the property rather than starting from a theoretical occupancy rate.
Yes, you can rent out your property in Brazil without residing there. We can take care of property management, guests, cleaning, check-in/check-out, and ongoing monitoring of the property.
For short-term rentals, our management service is charged at 30% of net income, with the first month free.
For a long-term rental, the fee is 15% of the monthly rent, with the first month free.
The included services depend on the type of rental and are detailed on our dedicated services page.
Yes, for a short-term rental, it is possible to block certain dates for your own stays.
This may be possible, but the conditions depend on the signed contract and the developer. A transfer of rights or a contract transfer may require the developer's agreement and incur administrative fees.
We are therefore examining the resale conditions before presenting a project as an early exit opportunity.
Liquidity depends notably on the price, location, type of property, and the state of the market at the time of resale.
We prioritise areas where residential and tourist demand is high, and we can also assist you during the resale.
However, no property investment guarantees a quick resale or a capital gain.
5. Taxation
Most European countries have a treaty with Brazil aimed at avoiding double taxation, but its application depends on the precise nature of the income and your situation.
We can help you gather the necessary information for your accountant or tax advisor.
The sale of a property may result in capital gains tax in Brazil and possibly reporting obligations in your country of tax residence.
In addition to the acquisition costs, the owner must take into account IPTU, which is a municipal property tax, as well as condominium fees and any costs related to property management or rental.
The amount depends on the property and the municipality.
6. Why invest in Maceió and Alagoas?
Maceió combines several features that are attractive for real estate investment: a major tourism market, residential neighborhoods by the sea, strong rental demand and sustained urban development. Property prices have increased by 8 to 10% per year in recent years.
No one can guarantee this. Changes in interest rates, mortgage lending, tourism, the Brazilian economy, construction costs and housing supply will all influence the market.
We base our recommendations on concrete fundamentals: location, purchase price, developer quality, rental demand and the potential of the neighborhood.
That is an option, but no one can know in advance when the best time to buy Brazilian reais will be. Waiting may potentially allow you to benefit from a better exchange rate, but prices in BRL rise while you wait (+/-10% per year), the best units are sold, and the INCC increases the outstanding balance. Over a period of 3–5 years, the property's appreciation far outweighs the impact of a 5–10% exchange-rate fluctuation.
The right approach is therefore to consider the total cost of the transaction in euros, the payment schedule and the property's potential, rather than trying to predict the foreign exchange market perfectly.
7. Finding the right investment
You can use the filters on this page on this page to select properties according to your budget, number of bedrooms, distance from the beach, delivery date and other criteria.
You can also use our comparison tool to compare several properties.
If you prefer to receive advice, contact us directly: we can offer you a selection that matches your budget and your objectives.
Yes, and we recommend doing so before making a decision.
You can consult:
- our client cases and their investments in our blog articles;
- les articles dedicated to real investments;
- examples of our own real estate investment in Brazil ;
- rental data available on specialized platforms such as AirDNA, Airbnb and Booking.
The aim is to allow you to compare real-life situations rather than relying solely on our projections.
You can view the reviews left by our clients on Google.
8. Our support
No, you can purchase directly from a developer or a Brazilian real estate agency.
Our added value is to support you throughout a process that you carry out from abroad: property selection, document analysis, administrative procedures, payments, purchase follow-up, rental setup and property management.
You remain free to choose only the services you actually need.
Depending on the package you choose, we can assist you with:
- identifying properties that match your project;
- organizing viewings;
- reviewing contracts;
- assisting you with administrative procedures;
- obtaining your CPF;
- opening a Brazilian bank account;
- monitoring the different stages of the acquisition;
- preparing the property for rental;
- managing your apartment remotely;
- assisting you with the resale.
Our goal is to enable you to invest in Brazil without having to manage the procedures yourself in a language and system you are not familiar with.
For properties offered on our website, our support may be paid for by the developer, with no additional direct fees for the buyer.
Certain additional services, such as specific administrative procedures or opening a bank account, may be charged separately.
We always inform you of any potential fees before starting a service.
You can start with a conversation with us. We can discuss your budget, objectives, investment horizon and the type of property you are looking for before directing you towards specific projects.
9. Staying, residency and life in Brazil
No, you can own property in Brazil while continuing to live in Europe or another country.
This is the model chosen by a large proportion of our clients.
Yes, and we recommend doing so whenever your circumstances allow. We can organize viewings of properties that match your project and show you the different neighborhoods so that you can form your own opinion.
It depends on the amount invested. For real estate investments located in the North and Northeast regions, the investment threshold provided for by the regulations is R$700,000.
The conditions and procedure must be verified at the time of application: purchasing a property does not automatically mean obtaining permanent residency.
The conditions of stay depend on your nationality and immigration status. If your objective is also to live in Brazil, we can guide you towards the residency options suited to your situation.
To invest with us, no.
For everyday life, learning some basic Portuguese is highly recommended.
10. Investing in Brazil rather than Belgium
Brazilian and European real estate markets operate according to very different dynamics.
In Alagoas, it is possible to access modern apartments in neighborhoods close to the beach with a budget significantly lower than what would be required for a comparable property in Europe. You are also investing in areas undergoing strong development, meaning you are buying before the area becomes saturated, as is the case in many European cities.
The rental market, acquisition costs, taxation, financing and potential for appreciation are also different.
Yes. Some of our clients use Brazilian real estate as a complementary investment alongside their European assets.
The important thing is to consider your overall assets, tax situation and financial capacity before making a decision.
11. Before making my decision
Of course. We encourage our clients to involve the people who participate in the decision. If your accountant or tax advisor wants to review the details of the transaction, we can provide the necessary information so that they can assess your situation.
Take the time you need to understand the investment. If you are hesitant, try above all to identify what is actually holding you back: the budget, the risk, the developer, the return, taxation, the exchange rate or simply the fact of investing in a foreign country.
We would rather answer that specific question than pressure you into buying.
Our main area of expertise is Alagoas, but our network also allows us to identify opportunities in other states in Brazil's Northeast region. If your project is better suited to another region, simply tell us what you are looking for and we will honestly tell you whether we can assist you.
Do you still have a question?
Every investment is different. If your question is not covered in this FAQ, contact us and tell us about your project.
We can answer you based on your budget, your objectives, your country of residence and the type of property you are looking for.
4 key moments
to invest in real estate in Northeast Brazil
1
Pre-launch
Access to the project’s lowest price, often close to the actual construction cost. Payment can be made in cash or over a very limited number of installments. This is the phase offering the highest appreciation potential, which can reach up to 90% before delivery.
Ideal for investors looking for the highest medium-term capital gain.
2
Official launch
Accessible down payment followed by monthly installments throughout the entire construction period. You enter the project progressively without having to lock in all your capital from the start. The average appreciation observed during this phase is around 30%.
Perfect for combining financial accessibility with resale upon delivery or profitable rental income.
3
Construction in progress
A project already well advanced, with an easier down payment and a shorter waiting time before handover. Some developers still offer attractive commercial conditions at this stage.
An excellent option to secure an almost completed property while still benefiting from an attractive price.
4
Ready property
The property can be used immediately on Airbnb or for traditional rental. Rental income can begin right away, with a much lower level of risk since there is no longer any waiting linked to construction.
Ideal for investors looking to generate immediate passive income.