Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Armenia?
The short answer: an apartment, yes. The constitutional restriction concerns land, and it matters to anyone who wants a house with a plot. What is allowed, what isn't, and how the deal works.
Contents
What the law says
Article 60 of Armenia's Constitution guarantees the right of ownership and at the same time states that foreign citizens and stateless persons do not enjoy the right of ownership over land, except in cases prescribed by law. The Land Code (Article 4) specifies that such persons cannot own land and can only be land users. An exception is made for people who hold special residency status in Armenia.
An apartment: yes
The restriction concerns land specifically. An apartment in a multi-unit building is not a plot of land, so a foreigner buys it exactly as an Armenian citizen does: the sale contract is made in writing and notarised (Article 562 of the Civil Code), and the transfer of ownership is registered in the Cadastre (Article 563).
- Your passport is the buyer's main document; the notary will give you the full list in advance.
- The contract is drawn up in Armenian. If you don't speak it, ask the notary how to arrange a translation.
- You can also buy remotely through a representative with a power of attorney. Ask the notary how to issue one abroad so that it is accepted in Armenia before you send any documents.
- The apartment is checked like any other: Cadastre extract, owners, restrictions. Anyone can obtain information on rights.
A house with land: more complicated
Under the Civil Code (Article 564), when a building is sold, ownership of the land plot passes together with ownership of the building. But a foreigner cannot become an owner of land. So buying a house, townhouse or plot has to be structured in advance using one of the legal routes.
| What you buy | Can you own it? | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment | Yes | A standard notarised deal and registration in the Cadastre |
| House | The house yes, the land under it no | A structure is needed for the plot: lease, purchase through a company, special status |
| Land plot | No, except in cases set by law | A lease or other legal options |
The Land Code allows foreign persons to use land, for example under a lease. Lawyers also consider buying through a company registered in Armenia. Decide which route suits you with a notary or lawyer before paying a deposit: the contract, the costs and how you can later sell the property all depend on it.
How buying an apartment works
- Choose an apartment and check it against a Cadastre extract.
- If you need time before the main deal, sign a preliminary contract at a notary and pay a deposit.
- Sign the main sale contract at the notary.
- Wait for ownership to be registered in the Cadastre.
- Transfer the utilities to your name.
Key points
- A foreigner can buy an apartment and register it in their own name.
- Land cannot be owned by foreigners except in cases set by law — for example, people with special residency status.
- For a house with land, choose the structure of the deal in advance with a notary or lawyer.
- Rules on statuses and exceptions can change — check the current version of the laws on arlis.am.
