Kolaboro / Buying off-plan abroad by nationality / Russia
Buying off-plan abroad as a buyer from Russia
What changes with your nationality when you buy off-plan in the four places where buyers from Russia look most, from the official texts, and how the projects there compare in our data. Not legal advice; rules change, check with a lawyer.
Rules by place
Dubai
In Dubai, buyers who are not nationals of the UAE or another GCC state may only own in the areas the Ruler designates for them: freehold, or usufruct or leasehold of up to 99 years. Check that the project is in such an area.
Source: Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006 (Real Property Registration), Article 4, read 14 Nov 2026.
Bali
In Bali, foreigners cannot hold freehold title (Hak Milik). A foreign individual with an immigration document can hold a right of use (Hak Pakai) on a house or an apartment unit.
Source: Government Regulation No. 18 of 2021, Articles 52, 69, 71 and 72, read 3 Nov 2026.
Phuket
In Phuket, foreigners can own a condominium unit freehold while units owned by foreigners stay within 49% of the building's floor area, and must show that the purchase money was brought into Thailand in foreign currency or paid from a foreign-currency account. Land and houses cannot be owned freehold by foreigners.
Source: Condominium Act B.E. 2522, sections 19 bis and 19 ter, read 14 Nov 2026.
Cyprus
In Cyprus, EU sanctions forbid banks in the EU from accepting deposits of more than EUR 100,000 in total per bank from Russian nationals, unless they also hold the nationality of, or a residence permit in, an EU or EEA country or Switzerland. Agree with your bank and lawyer how the purchase money will be paid before you sign.
Source: European Commission: FAQ on Article 5b of Council Regulation 833/2014 (deposits), read 14 Nov 2026.
The four places in our data
data date: 13 Nov 2026
| Place | Projects | Permit number published | Past handover date | Median score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 170 | 149 (88%) | 7 | 78 |
| Bali | 93 | 1 (1%) | 5 | 40 |
| Phuket | 39 | 15 (38%) | 2 | 44 |
| Cyprus | 18 | 0 (0%) | 0 | 32 |
Other buyer groups
- Buying off-plan abroad as a buyer from mainland China
- Buying off-plan abroad as a buyer from the Gulf states (GCC)
Rules last read 14 Nov 2026. Not legal advice.