How to Buy an Apartment in Yerevan as a Foreigner (2026)

By WSE.AM editorial team, edited by Mark Muzyka · Updated 12 October 2026

Step-by-step guide to buying an apartment in Yerevan as a foreigner in 2026: documents, property checks, the notary deal, costs, taxes and mortgages.

How to Buy an Apartment in Yerevan as a Foreigner (2026)

Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Yerevan, and what do you need?

The short answer: yes, a citizen of any country can buy an apartment in Armenia without citizenship, a residence permit or any special permission. You need three things: an international passport, to be physically present in the country, and an Armenian tax ID number (TIN), which the tax office issues free of charge in 1-2 working days. Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, as well as the EU, the US and the UK, can enter visa-free for 180 days; plan 5-10 days for the deal. Before buying, be sure to check ownership, encumbrances and arrests (court-ordered freezes) using an extract from the Cadastre (the State Cadastre Committee, which keeps the property register), which costs AMD 5,000-15,000, as well as utility debts and the consent of the seller's spouse. The deal itself at the notary takes 1-2 hours, and registering ownership at the Cadastre takes 1-3 working days. Related costs add up to roughly 1-4 percent of the apartment's price: the notary 0.1-0.3 percent, the state fee around AMD 10,000, and agency services up to 3 percent. There is no tax on buying property in Armenia.

Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Armenia?

Armenia is one of the most open countries for foreign property buyers. Citizens of any country in the world can freely buy apartments in Yerevan and any residential property in Armenia. You do not need citizenship, a residence permit or special government permission.

Step 1. Set your budget and goals

Budget. Count more than just the price of the apartment: - Notary services (0.1-0.3% of the price) - State fee for registration (around AMD 10,000) - Agency services (usually 2-3%) - Document check at the Cadastre (AMD 5,000-15,000)

Purpose of the purchase: - To live in: the district, schools and amenities matter - To invest: location, transport links and rental demand - To resell: the district's growth prospects - To get a residence permit: a deal of $100,000 or more

Step 2. Come to Armenia

To buy an apartment, a foreigner needs to be physically present in Armenia.

Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries enter visa-free for 180 days. Citizens of the EU, the US and the UK enter visa-free for 180 days. Plan a trip of at least 5-10 days.

Step 3. Get a tax ID number (TIN)

A TIN is required for any property transaction in Armenia.

1. Go to the tax office 2. Bring your international passport and a copy of it 3. Fill in the application 4. Receive your TIN in 1-2 working days

Cost: free.

Step 4. Find a property

Online platforms. WSE.AM offers a catalog with detailed filters, up-to-date photos and the option to contact an agent.

New builds from developers. See new builds in Yerevan.

Step 5. Check the legal status

What to check:

1. Ownership. Ask for the ownership certificate. Check the full name, address and floor area.

2. Encumbrances and arrests. Order an extract from the Cadastre. Cost: AMD 5,000-15,000.

3. Debts. Ask for utility receipts for the last 3-6 months.

4. The seller's marital status. If the seller is married, the spouse's consent is required.

5. Technical condition. The layout must match the technical passport (the official floor plan).

Step 6. Negotiation and deposit

Bargaining. A price reduction of 5-10% is often realistic.

Deposit. Usually 10% of the price. It is kept by the seller if the deal falls through because of the buyer.

Step 7. The deal at the notary

1. Passports and documents are checked 2. The sale and purchase agreement is drawn up 3. The parties sign the agreement 4. The price of the apartment is paid 5. The keys are handed over

The procedure takes 1-2 hours. Notary costs: 0.1-0.3% of the price.

Step 8. Register ownership

Timing: 1-3 working days. Result: a new ownership certificate in your name.

What are the costs of buying?

Notary: 0.1-0.3%
State fee: ~AMD 10,000
Cadastre extract: AMD 5,000-15,000
Agency: 0-3%
Purchase tax: none

Total: roughly 1-4% of the apartment's price.

Can foreigners get a mortgage?

Banks: Ameriabank, Ardshinbank, Inecobank, Converse Bank, VTB Armenia.

Terms: - Down payment: 30-50% - Interest rate: 10-14% a year - Term: up to 15 years

Most foreigners buy with cash. The alternative is a developer installment plan.

Getting a residence permit through a purchase

Buying property worth $100,000 or more can be grounds for a residence permit. It is not automatic: you file an application with the Passport and Visa Department.

Common mistakes

1. Buying without checking the documents. 2. Handing over money before the agreement is signed. 3. Buying without viewing the property. 4. Saving money on an agent.

Conclusion

Buying an apartment in Yerevan as a foreigner is entirely realistic, and the process takes 1-2 weeks. WSE.AM agents (English-, Russian- and Armenian-speaking) support the deal from the first viewing to registration.

Apartments for sale in Yerevan | New builds from developers

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In Georgia the procedure is different, though the logic is similar: a foreigner can buy housing without restrictions, and the deal can be done remotely with a power of attorney. Step by step: how to buy an apartment in Batumi remotely.

_Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Image resized._

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Armenia? Yes, on the same terms as a citizen. There are no citizenship restrictions on residential property, and no permission is needed. The only restriction applies to agricultural land.

Do I need a residence permit to buy? No. In fact, buying property can itself become grounds for a residence permit.

What documents do I need? An international passport with a notarized translation into Armenian, an identification number (social card), and an account with an Armenian bank for payments. If the deal is done through a representative, a power of attorney is added.

Can I buy without coming to Armenia? Yes, through a representative with a power of attorney. But opening a bank account usually requires at least one personal visit, so most people plan one trip.

How long does the deal take? With documents and money ready, from a few days to a couple of weeks. Most of the time goes not on procedures but on preparation: transferring money and preparing documents and translations.