Buying Philippine Property from Australia

What you can legally own

Under the Philippine Constitution, land can generally only be owned by Filipino citizens. Condominium units are different: the Condominium Act (Republic Act 4726) allows foreign nationals to own condo units, provided foreign ownership in the building does not exceed 40% of the units.

• Australian citizens (non-Filipino) — can own condominium units within the 40% foreign quota.
• Former Filipinos / dual citizens — dual citizens under RA 9225 have the same rights as Filipino citizens, including owning land.
• Married to a Filipino citizen — land or house-and-lot can be titled in the Filipino spouse's name.

The buying process, step by step

• Choose a project and unit, and request a sample computation of the payment terms.
• Pay the reservation fee and sign the Reservation Agreement — this holds the unit in your name while you complete documents.
• Submit your requirements (passport, proof of income/tax ID, signed forms). Overseas buyers can usually do this by email and courier.
• Receive your official payment schedule and pay the downpayment over the agreed term.
• Pay the balance through bank financing, in-house financing or cash.
• Turnover of the unit and transfer of title (Condominium Certificate of Title).

Paying from Australia

Payments are made in Philippine pesos, so the AUD/PHP exchange rate affects your real cost. Many buyers use international transfer services to reduce fees, and set up regular transfers to meet monthly instalments. Always pay only to the developer's official accounts — never to a personal account.

Before you commit

• Confirm the project's License to Sell with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
• Read the Reservation Agreement — reservation fees are generally non-refundable.
• Seek independent Australian tax advice — overseas property and rental income may need to be declared.