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Florida · Chapter 692, part IIIFlorida SB 264 foreign buyer law: who is restricted and the buyer affidavit at closing

Since July 1, 2023, Florida Statutes §§692.201–692.205 restrict real estate purchases by 'foreign principals' tied to a foreign country of concern – China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, the Maduro regime in Venezuela and Syria. A foreign principal includes those governments and officials, their political parties and members, entities organized or based there and their subsidiaries, any person domiciled there who isn't a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and anyone in those groups with a controlling interest in an entity formed to own Florida real property (§692.201). Three restrictions follow. Agricultural land: a foreign principal may not own, control or acquire it, apart from a de minimis indirect interest through public company shares (§692.202). Near military installations or critical infrastructure: a foreign principal may not acquire an interest in real property on or within 10 miles of a military installation or a fenced critical infrastructure facility such as a power plant, water treatment plant, refinery, seaport, spaceport or airport (§692.203). China: the People's Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, their officials and members, Chinese entities, and people domiciled in China who aren't U.S. citizens or permanent residents may not acquire real property anywhere in Florida (§692.204). Both §692.203 and §692.204 allow a natural person to buy one residential property of up to 2 acres that isn't on or within 5 miles of a military installation, in their own name, if they hold a current verified U.S. visa not limited to tourism, or asylum documentation, authorizing them to be in Florida. Owners from before July 1, 2023 may keep what they own but must register and can't buy more. At closing, the buyer must sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury – for any Florida real property under §692.204(6), and for agricultural land or property near military or critical infrastructure under §§692.202(5) and 692.203(6) – on a form set by Florida Real Estate Commission rule. Missing the affidavit doesn't affect title or its insurability, and the closing agent isn't liable unless it actually knows the transaction violates the law. Property acquired in violation may be forfeited to the state; violations are crimes, and a person who knowingly sells in violation commits a misdemeanor. Diplomatic purposes recognized by the federal government are exempt (§692.205).

Who is a foreign principal (§692.201)

  1. Countries of concern

    China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, the Maduro regime in Venezuela, Syria.

  2. Covered

    Governments, officials, parties, entities based there, and people domiciled there who aren't U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

  3. Control

    Anyone above with a controlling interest in an entity formed to own Florida real property.

What's restricted

  1. Agricultural land (§692.202)

    No purchase by a foreign principal.

  2. 10 miles (§692.203)

    No purchase on or within 10 miles of a military installation or critical infrastructure.

  3. China (§692.204)

    No purchase anywhere in Florida by covered Chinese persons and entities.

  4. One-home exception

    One residence up to 2 acres, not within 5 miles of a military installation, non-tourist visa or asylum, in the buyer's name.

What the TC can do

  • Ask the title company or closing attorney for the buyer affidavit form early, so every buyer signs it at closing.
  • If a buyer may be covered, let the closing attorney review it before the contract deadlines run.
  • Keep the signed affidavit with the closing documents.

Questions about Florida's foreign buyer law

Does every Florida buyer have to sign a foreign principal affidavit?

Under §692.204(6), a buyer of real property in Florida must provide an affidavit at the time of purchase attesting they aren't a covered person or entity, or are allowed under the one-home exception, and comply with the section.

Can a Chinese citizen buy a home in Florida?

The statute bars purchases by people domiciled in China who aren't U.S. citizens or permanent residents, except one residence up to 2 acres not within 5 miles of a military installation, bought in their own name with a non-tourist visa or asylum documentation (§692.204(2)).

What if the affidavit isn't signed?

Failing to obtain or keep it doesn't affect title or insurability, and the closing agent isn't liable unless it actually knows the transaction violates the law (§692.204(6)(b)).

Related guides

Add the signed buyer affidavit as a document on the deal in ClosingCode, so it's in the file at closing.

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Source: Florida Statutes §§692.201–692.205 (leg.state.fl.us, read October 26, 2026).

General information, not legal advice. This page describes the statute's text; a Florida attorney can say how it applies to a buyer and whether any court ruling affects it. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or title company. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.