No. Squatting is illegal in Mexico. The Penal Code of the Federal District (now Mexico City) criminalizes unauthorized occupation of property under Article 229, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment. Civil remedies via desahucio (eviction) are preferred, but forceful entry remains a prosecutable offense.
Key Regulations for Squatting in Mexico
- Federal Penal Code (Art. 229): Unlawful occupation of immovable property is a felony, with penalties escalating for aggravated cases (e.g., use of violence or fraud).
- Civil Code (Art. 2447): Property owners may initiate juicio de desahucio (summary eviction) within 30 days of unauthorized entry, bypassing criminal proceedings.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: Amendments to the Ley de Vivienda now mandate municipal registries to flag vacant properties, enabling faster enforcement against squatters under Article 12.
Local authorities, including the Procuraduría Social in Mexico City, prioritize digital tracking of vacant lots to curb squatting. Courts increasingly favor property owners post-2023 reforms, reducing squatter retention periods from 5 to 2 years under adverse possession claims. Foreign investors must conduct due diligence via the Registro Público de la Propiedad to verify ownership chains.