Freehold and Leasehold

Freehold and leasehold are two common forms of property ownership in the legal systems of many countries, particularly those following common law. These two concepts determine the scope of the buyer's rights.

Freehold is permanent ownership, in which the owner holds rights to both the structure and the land without time limits. This is the most complete form of ownership and is the most preferred by investors.

Leasehold is time-limited ownership, in which the buyer holds the right to use the property for a specific period, which can be up to decades or hundreds of years, but the land remains with the original owner.

When investing in overseas real estate, investors need to clearly identify the type of asset, as this affects its value, transferability, and the long-term interests of the family.

Learn more about markets and forms of ownership via our page on overseas real estate services.