Buying an Apartment in Yerevan Remotely: Power of Attorney

By WSE.AM editorial team, edited by Mark Muzyka · Updated 8 October 2026

Can you buy an apartment in Yerevan without visiting Armenia? How a power of attorney works, who views it, how money moves and the risks of a remote deal.

Buying an Apartment in Yerevan Remotely: Power of Attorney

Can you buy an apartment in Yerevan remotely?

The short answer: yes, such deals happen regularly; the buyer stays abroad and a trusted representative signs the documents. Citizenship does not matter for buying an apartment, there are no restrictions for foreigners on residential property in Armenia, and the only special case is agricultural land. The process looks like this. First, you choose based on photos and video, and you should ask not for a promotional clip but for an honest walk-through: the entrance and stairwell, the view from the windows in every direction, the bathroom, signs of damp in the corners, the condition of the windows, the view from the courtyard. The difference between staged footage and a live video call is huge. Then your representative views the apartment: someone has to physically go there, and it should be done with a checklist, not on the basis of "had a look, seems fine". The third step, before any money changes hands, is the document check: the owner, the basis of their right, no encumbrances or arrests (court-ordered freezes), and the actual layout matching the Cadastre plan.

Buying an apartment in Yerevan without flying to Armenia is realistic. Such deals happen regularly: the buyer is abroad, and a trusted representative signs the documents. Below is an honest step-by-step process and the points where remote purchases most often go wrong.

Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Armenia?

Yes. Citizenship does not matter for buying an apartment, and there are no restrictions for foreigners on residential property. The special case is agricultural land, where restrictions do exist. More on the buyer's status and documents in our article on how to buy an apartment in Yerevan as a foreigner.

How a remote purchase works

Step 1. Choosing the property. It all starts with a selection based on photos and video. Ask not for a promotional clip but for an honest walk-through: the entrance and stairwell, the view from the windows in every direction, the bathroom, signs of damp in the corners, the condition of the windows, the view from the courtyard. The difference between staged footage and a live video call is huge.

Step 2. Viewing by your representative. Someone has to physically go to the apartment. This is either a trusted person or an agent working on your side. The viewing should follow a checklist, not "had a look, it's fine".

Step 3. Checking the documents. Before any money changes hands, check the owner, the basis of their right, the absence of encumbrances and arrests, and that the actual layout matches the Cadastre plan (the Cadastre is the state property register). How this works in Armenia is described here: legal check of an apartment.

Step 4. Power of attorney. It is drawn up by a notary where you are, then translated and legalized for use in Armenia. The wording of the power of attorney determines exactly what your representative can do: view the property, sign the agreement, register ownership, handle the money. The narrower the powers, the safer.

Step 5. Agreement and payment. The deal is formalized at a notary, and ownership is registered at the Cadastre. The money is transferred to an account, and the procedure and moment of payment are fixed in the agreement.

Step 6. Getting the documents. The Cadastre extract confirms your ownership. Get a copy right after registration.

More on the power of attorney

This is the key document of the whole process, and there are two rules.

First: do not issue a general power of attorney for everything. A power of attorney "with the right to sell" lets the representative sell what has been bought. You do not need such powers for a purchase.

Second: the term. Set a term long enough for the deal with some margin, but not an open-ended one. A power of attorney can be revoked, but that means extra steps at a distance.

If you have no one close to you in Yerevan, the representative is usually an agency employee or a lawyer. This is normal practice, but in this setup you need to choose your counterparty more carefully than in an ordinary purchase.

How to transfer the money

This is the second place where remote deals get stuck. Transferring the amount for an apartment purchase from Russia, Kazakhstan or Europe needs a route planned in advance: an account with an Armenian bank, proof of the source of funds, fees and timing. It is better to open an account in your own name before the deal, not on the day of signing. We have a separate article on this: how to open a bank account in Armenia.

Risks of a remote deal and how to reduce them

The apartment is not what you saw on video. The fix is a live video call during the viewing, not a recording sent to you.
Hidden problems with the building. The stairwell, roof, basement, neighbors. Ask for these to be filmed too.
A power of attorney that is too broad. Limit the powers through the wording.
Rushing the deposit. The deposit is paid after the documents are checked, not before.
One person in every role. If the same person found the property, represents you and checks the documents, there is no independent control. It makes sense to order the legal check separately.

What can you do without a power of attorney?

If you do not like the power of attorney route, there is a middle option: fly in once for two or three days right for the deal, and do all the selection and checks remotely in advance. For many buyers this is the best approach: preparation takes weeks, and you only need to be there in person on the day of signing.

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Apartments in Yerevan | New builds - WSE.AM arranges video viewings and document checks before any money is transferred.

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

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a power of attorney to buy an apartment in Yerevan from abroad? The power of attorney is drawn up by a notary where you are, then translated and legalized for Armenia. Do not issue a general power of attorney with the right to sell; limit the powers and set a term with some margin, but not an open-ended one.

How can I check an apartment in Yerevan if I cannot come? Ask for a live video call with a walk-through of the stairwell, windows, bathroom and corners for signs of damp, not a recording sent to you. Then your representative should visit the apartment with a checklist, and the documents are checked before any money changes hands.

When should I pay the deposit in a remote apartment purchase? The deposit is paid only after the documents are checked, not before. If the same person found the property, represents you and checks the documents, it is better to order the legal check separately.

Can I buy an apartment in Yerevan without a power of attorney by coming once? Yes, you can fly in for two or three days right for the deal and do the selection and checks remotely in advance. Preparation takes weeks, and you only need to be there in person on the day of signing.