Can former Filipino citizens own land in the Philippines?

You were born in the Philippines then migrated to another country and become its citizen. Can you still buy land in the Philippines?

There are 3 laws that affect natural-born citizens of the Philippines who became naturalized citizens of another country.

Scenario 1: You’re a natural-born citizen who lost his Philippine citizenship.

You can still acquire land in the Philippines but subject to limitations.

FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES

Batas Pambansa 185 (An Act to Implement Section Fifteen of Article XIV of the Constitution and for Other Purposes) allows a natural-born citizen who has lost Philippine citizenship to be the tranferee of private land for his/her use as a RESIDENCE. Maximum of 1,000 square meters in urban areas OR 1 hectare (10,000 square meters) in rural areas.

FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES

Republic Act 8179 (An Act to Further Liberalize Foreign Investments, Amending for the Purposes Republic Act No. 7042 “ Foreign Investments Acts of 1991”.) allows you to be the transferee of private land up to a maximum of 5,000 square meters in urban areas OR 3 hectares (30,000 square meters) in rural areas for your use in BUSINESS.

Note: If you’re married, either one of you can avail of the privilege provided that if both of you avail of the same, the total area cannot exceed the maximum. In both cases, a transferee who has already acquired urban land shall be disqualified from acquiring rural land and vice versa.

Scenario 2: You’re a natural-born citizen who lost his Philippine citizenship. You applied to reacquire Filipino citizenship under Republic Act 9225 (Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003)

You can now own land without the restrictions imposed on foreigners and former natural-born citizens.