Does a foreigner need to travel to Ukraine to buy an apartment? Not necessarily. Most of the process can be arranged remotely — from selecting the property and checking the documents to signing the purchase agreement and registering ownership.

The first step is to select a property and conduct legal due diligence. It is important to make sure that the seller is the actual owner, check the property’s ownership history, and verify whether there are any arrests, mortgages, or other restrictions. Information about registered ownership rights can be obtained from the State Register of Real Estate Rights.

If the buyer cannot travel to Ukraine, the next step is to issue a power of attorney to a representative. The representative can act on the buyer’s behalf before the notary, sign documents, and handle the registration of ownership. The power of attorney can be issued either at a Ukrainian consulate or by a notary in the buyer’s country of residence, depending on the specific circumstances and document requirements.

The transaction documents are then prepared. A Ukrainian notary checks the property, the seller’s and buyer’s documents, and confirms that there are no restrictions preventing the transaction. If all requirements are met, the purchase agreement is signed by the parties or their authorized representatives.

The final step is state registration of ownership. Once the information is entered into the State Register of Real Estate Rights, the buyer becomes the legal owner of the property, even if they are outside Ukraine at the time.

It is also important to consider land plots: special rules apply to foreign buyers, and the possibility of acquiring land depends on its category and designated purpose.

So, buying real estate in Ukraine remotely is entirely possible. However, this does not mean that a foreign buyer can complete the entire process without anyone on the ground in Ukraine. In practice, a representative, notary, and lawyer may be needed to organize the process and oversee the transaction locally.

Sources: Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, Land Code of Ukraine.