Buying Property in Florida From the UK
Where to buy, how to fund it from home, and the vetted Florida team to see it through, from a Florida broker who works with British buyers.
UK and Irish citizens can buy residential property anywhere in Florida with no residency, visa, or special permit required. Most British buyers purchase with cash or a foreign national mortgage, close through a Florida title company, and can sign from the UK. Owning a Florida home does not give you the right to live in the US, so time in the country depends on your visa status.
Florida is a big state, and the right purchase depends on where you buy and how you plan to use the home. A holiday-let villa near the Orlando theme parks, a beachside condo on the Gulf Coast, and a waterfront home in Naples are three very different decisions, with different rental rules, running costs, and flight connections back to the UK.
This guide walks through the regions British buyers consider most, the buying process from the UK, the costs and taxes to plan for, and the professionals you will want on your side. I advise buyers directly in Naples and Southwest Florida, and elsewhere in the state I introduce you to vetted local agents and advisers who work with UK buyers.
Where in Florida Should UK Buyers Buy?
Florida regions compared for British and Irish buyers
Start with how you will use the home, then match it to a region. These eight areas cover where most UK buyers look.
Orlando and the Disney Corridor
Kissimmee, Davenport, ChampionsGate, and Reunion sit close to the theme parks, with purpose-built resort communities designed for short-stay holiday lets.
The traditional first choice for British buyers who want a pool villa the family can use and let out the rest of the year.
The Space Coast and Treasure Coast
Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, Vero Beach, and Stuart line a quieter stretch of the Atlantic, with river and ocean living and the Kennedy Space Center nearby.
A relaxed beach alternative within reach of Orlando's airport and theme parks.
Tampa Bay and the Gulf Beaches
Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater combine a working city with Gulf of Mexico beaches, from downtown condos to homes near the barrier islands.
A practical base for buyers who want beach access, culture, and a direct flight home.
Sarasota and Bradenton
Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island, Lakewood Ranch, and downtown Sarasota offer white-sand beaches, an arts scene, and a long-standing British community.
Popular with winter visitors and buyers planning a later move.
Naples and Southwest Florida
Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Fort Myers, and Sanibel are known for quiet beaches, golf and club communities, and waterfront living with Gulf access.
Best for second homes and winter living rather than nightly lets. See the Naples guide for UK buyers.
Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Miami
The Atlantic coast brings city energy, boating, high-rise condos, and international dining, from the Palm Beaches and Boca Raton south through Fort Lauderdale to Miami.
Boca Raton adds country club and golf communities at a calmer pace. The region suits buyers who want a cosmopolitan lifestyle and the easiest flights to the UK.
Jacksonville and St. Augustine
St. Augustine's historic old town, Amelia Island, Ponte Vedra Beach, and Jacksonville's Atlantic beaches offer a more traditional Florida, with golf at TPC Sawgrass.
Suits relocators and long-stay owners who want a quieter pace, cooler winters, and generally lower prices than South Florida.
The Emerald Coast
Destin, Panama City Beach, and the 30A beach towns line the Panhandle's Gulf shore with white sand and an established vacation-rental market.
A quieter, more seasonal option that is farther from UK flight connections.
| Region | Best for | Holiday lets | Getting there from the UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando and Disney corridor | Family holiday homes and holiday-let villas | Designated resort communities built for short stays | Nonstop flights to Orlando (MCO) |
| Space Coast and Treasure Coast | Atlantic beach towns, river and ocean living | Varies by city; check local rules | Via Orlando (MCO), about an hour's drive, or Melbourne (MLB) |
| Tampa Bay | City and beach living | Varies by city and association | Nonstop flights to Tampa (TPA) |
| Sarasota and Bradenton | Beaches, arts, winter stays | Varies; many condos set minimum rental terms | Via Tampa (TPA), about an hour's drive, or one stop to Sarasota (SRQ) |
| Naples and Southwest Florida | Second homes, golf, waterfront | Many associations require longer minimum stays | One stop to Southwest Florida International (RSW), or fly to Miami or Tampa and drive |
| Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Miami | City lifestyle, country clubs, boating, condos | Rules vary widely by city | Nonstop flights to Miami (MIA) |
| Jacksonville and St. Augustine | Relocation, history, golf | Varies by city and association | Connecting flights to Jacksonville (JAX) |
| Emerald Coast | Beach towns, seasonal use | Established vacation-rental market | Connecting flights to Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS) or Panama City (ECP) |
Rental rules are set by each association and local government, and airline schedules change by season. Confirm current rules and routes before you commit.
Three Ways UK Buyers Use Florida Property
Holiday lets, second homes, and relocation to Florida
Holiday-Let Owners
Your community's rental rules matter more than the house. Buy where short stays are permitted, budget for professional management, and plan for state licensing and tourist taxes.
Winter and Second-Home Owners
Lifestyle comes first: beaches, golf, walkability, and the season you will be there. Check how the home is looked after while you are in the UK and what the association allows when it is empty.
Relocators and Business Owners
Living in Florida needs a visa, not just a home. The UK and Ireland are E-2 treaty countries, which ties residence to investing in an active US business. Many buyers purchase an existing business through a licensed business broker, after an immigration attorney confirms it fits the E-2 rules.
The Professionals UK Buyers Need in Florida
Vetted agents and advisers who work with British buyers
Buying from abroad works best with a coordinated team. I introduce you to professionals I have vetted for experience with UK buyers. They are chosen on trust, not paid placement, and you are always free to use your own.
A Local Florida Agent
In Naples and Southwest Florida, that is me. Elsewhere, I introduce you to a vetted agent in your chosen market through a broker-to-broker referral, at no added cost to you.
A Foreign National Lender
A specialist lender who can underwrite with UK income, assets, and credit references, and issue a pre-approval before you search.
A Currency Specialist
A specialist can help you plan large transfers from pounds or euros to dollars, including options to fix a rate ahead of completion.
A Cross-Border Tax Adviser
Someone who knows both the US and UK systems: rental income returns, ITIN applications, treaty relief, and planning for an eventual sale.
A Florida Attorney and Title Company
To review the contract and title, advise on how to hold ownership, and handle a closing you can sign from the UK.
An Immigration Attorney
For buyers who want to spend longer in Florida, guidance on visa routes, including the E-2 treaty investor visa. Speak with one before committing to a business or a move.
A Business Broker
For E-2 buyers, a licensed Florida business broker can find and evaluate an existing business to buy, once your immigration attorney confirms the investment fits the visa rules.
An International Mover
A mover experienced with UK to US shipments to handle packing, ocean freight, customs paperwork, and delivery, or to help furnish a second home on arrival.
How to Buy Property in Florida From the UK
Six steps from first idea to keys in hand
Choose Your Region and Use
Decide whether this is a holiday let, a second home, or a future move, then match it to the region that fits.
Plan the Money
Decide between cash and a foreign national mortgage, get a pre-approval if financing, and talk to a currency specialist before you need to transfer.
Assemble Your Team
Line up your local agent, lender, tax adviser, and attorney early, so ownership structure and tax planning are settled before you make an offer.
Search and View
Shortlist homes online, view by live video, and visit in person when you can, ideally in the season you plan to use the home.
Offer, Contract and Inspections
Your agent prepares a written Florida contract, your deposit goes into escrow, and inspections, insurance quotes, and association approvals follow.
Close and Set Up Ownership
Sign remotely or in person, wire funds to the title company, then arrange insurance, management, any rental licensing, your US tax registration, and your move.
Florida Property Costs and Taxes for UK Owners
What to budget for before you buy
These are the items British owners most often underestimate. For detail and examples, see taxes and costs for UK buyers.
Property Tax
Assessed each year by the county. The homestead exemption generally applies only to a permanent primary residence, so most UK owners pay the non-homestead rate.
Insurance and Flood Cover
Wind and hurricane cover is a significant cost in Florida, and flood insurance is often a separate policy. Get quotes before you commit to a home.
Association Fees
Condominiums and many communities charge regular fees and may levy special assessments. Confirm current terms and reserves with the association.
Holiday-Let Licensing
A whole home let more than three times a year for stays under 30 days needs a state vacation rental license, plus state sales tax and county tourist tax on bookings.
Tax on Rental Income
Florida has no state income tax, but US federal tax applies to rental income. UK owners typically file a US nonresident return and report to HMRC with treaty relief.
Selling and Estate Planning
When a foreign owner sells, FIRPTA generally requires withholding from the sale price, recoverable through a US return. US estate tax can also apply, so plan ownership before you buy.
Naples Guides for UK Buyers
Southwest Florida in depth
Why I Built This Guide
Meeting British buyers at the US Property Show, I heard the same questions again and again: where in Florida, who can I trust, and how do I do this from home? This guide is my answer, along with the team I would want if I were buying from abroad.
I am a Florida-licensed Broker Associate and Certified Negotiation Expert with Downing-Frye Realty, with more than 18 years in Naples real estate. In Southwest Florida I represent you directly. Anywhere else in the state, I make the introductions and stay in touch until you are settled.
Buying Florida Property From the UK: FAQ
Answers for British and Irish buyers
Can UK citizens buy property in Florida?
Yes. UK and Irish citizens can buy homes, condos, and land anywhere in Florida without residency, a visa, or a special permit, and they pay the same purchase costs as US buyers. Florida's foreign ownership law applies to a short list of countries and does not include the UK or Ireland.
Where in Florida do British buyers usually buy?
Most British buyers have traditionally bought in the Orlando and Disney corridor, where resort communities are built for holiday lets. Gulf Coast markets such as Tampa Bay, Sarasota, and Naples appeal to buyers who want beaches, golf, and a quieter pace, while Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Miami suit buyers who want city and country club life on the Atlantic coast. The right region depends on how you plan to use the home.
Can a UK buyer get a mortgage for a Florida home?
Yes. Specialist US lenders offer foreign national mortgages that use UK income, assets, and credit references instead of a US credit score. Deposits are larger than for US residents and terms vary by lender, so get a pre-approval from a lender experienced with UK buyers before you search. Many British buyers also purchase with cash.
Can I rent out my Florida property as a holiday let?
Often, but it depends on the community. Florida requires a state vacation rental license for a whole home let more than three times a year for stays under 30 days, and many condominium and homeowners associations set minimum rental terms or ban short stays. Confirm the association rules and local registration before you make an offer.
Does buying a Florida home give me the right to live in the US?
No. Owning property does not grant a visa or residency. UK and Irish visitors using ESTA can generally stay up to 90 days per visit, and longer stays need a visa such as the E-2 treaty investor visa, which is tied to investing in an active US business rather than a home. Speak with a US immigration attorney about your options.
What taxes do UK owners of Florida property need to plan for?
Plan for annual property tax, US federal tax on any rental income, and FIRPTA withholding when you sell. Most UK owners pay the non-homestead property tax rate, file a US nonresident return for rental income, and report the same income to HMRC with treaty relief. US estate tax can also apply, so agree your ownership structure with a cross-border tax adviser before you buy.
Can I buy and close on a Florida home without traveling?
Yes. Viewings can be done by live video, contracts are signed electronically, and closing documents can be signed remotely or before a notary, with funds wired to the title company. Most buyers still visit before committing, ideally in the season they plan to use the home.
How do I get started if I am buying outside Naples?
Start with a conversation with Jeremy O'Guinn about how you plan to use the home, your budget, and your timeline. Jeremy advises directly in Naples and Southwest Florida, and elsewhere in Florida introduces you to a vetted local agent through a broker-to-broker referral, along with lenders, currency specialists, and advisers who work with UK buyers.
Sources: Florida DBPR, Division of Hotels and Restaurants; IRS, FIRPTA withholding; US Department of State, treaty countries; US Customs and Border Protection, ESTA; accessed November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Please consult your own advisers.
Plan Your Florida Purchase
Guides for buyers considering Southwest Florida
Start With the Right Region
Tell me how you plan to use your Florida home, and I will help you narrow the region and introduce the right team, whether you buy in Naples or anywhere in the state.
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity Program (BR Program) of M.L.S. of Naples, Inc. Properties listed with brokerage firms other than this company are marked with the BR Program Icon or the BR House Icon and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers. The properties displayed may not be all the properties available through the BR Program. The information provided is for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any other purpose.