The Maceió brief
Maceió has the bluest water in Brazil — genuinely Caribbean — and prices nobody in Florianópolis would recognize. Ponta Verde beachfront condos move quickly to domestic buyers; foreign discovery is still early. The structural risk is the Braskem subsidence zone (avoid Pinheiro, Bebedouro, Mutange entirely).
Where foreigners actually buy in Maceió
The neighborhoods below capture 80%+ of foreign-buyer transactions:
Best fit for
Beachfront condo buyers, family-vacation Airbnb, retiree second homes.
FAQ — Maceió edition
Can a non-resident foreigner buy in Maceió?
Yes. Brazil places no residency requirement on residential property purchases. You'll need a CPF (Brazilian tax ID) and a registered FX operation when wiring funds. See our CPF guide.
Do I have to be in Maceió to close?
No. Brazilian law allows closing by power of attorney (procuração) granted at any Brazilian consulate. Most foreign buyers we work with close remotely.
What's the total cost on top of the purchase price?
Budget 4–6% all-in: ITBI (2–3%), cartório registration (1–2%), attorney (1–1.5%). On a $500K purchase, $20K–$30K. See the tax guide.
Can Maceió property qualify for the investor visa?
Yes — the Brazilian investor visa requires ~$200K USD in real estate. Most residential Maceió property at that price point qualifies. See the visa guide.
Can I get a Brazilian mortgage as a foreigner?
Rarely. Most foreigners pay cash or finance through home-country instruments (HELOC, lombard). See financing options.