Moving From Canada to Sarasota: What Canadian Retirees and Snowbirds Should Know

Canadians can buy property in Florida with no citizenship or residency restrictions, and they are already the largest international buyer group in the state, spending roughly US$1.9 billion on Florida real estate in 2025, up 52 percent from a year earlier. If you are a Canadian retiree or snowbird weighing Sarasota, Manatee, or Charlotte County, the welcome is genuine. The details that matter are the ones nobody mentions at the beach: how long you can stay, how taxes work, and what insurance really costs.

Can Canadians buy property in Florida?

Yes. There is no restriction on non-residents owning Florida real estate, and no special visa is required to buy. You will want a U.S. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for tax purposes, and if your Florida property is worth more than C$100,000, you report it to the Canada Revenue Agency on Form T1135 each year. Your bank will also flag large cross-border transfers, so plan the money movement early with your accountant.

How long can Canadians stay in Florida as snowbirds?

Canadians enter the U.S. as B-2 visitors, and border officers typically admit you for up to six months, or 182 days, per entry. Staying longer can raise U.S. tax-residency questions, so most snowbirds keep each visit under that line. One newer rule matters: since April 11, 2025, Canadians 14 and older staying 30 or more consecutive days must register with U.S. immigration through Form G-325R. The Canadian Snowbird Visa Act that would extend visa-free stays to 240 days is still only a bill, so plan around the 182-day limit for the 2026-27 season. For a fuller picture of how the winter crowd shapes this market, see my guide to snowbird season in Sarasota.

Do Canadian retirees need health insurance in Florida?

Yes. Canadian provincial health plans and U.S. Medicare do not cover routine care for Canadian visitors, so travel medical insurance is essential, not optional. For snowbirds in their 50s and older, premiums can run $1,000 or more per month with deductibles around $7,000 per person, and pre-existing condition coverage varies by plan. Budget for it before you buy, because it is a real line item in the Florida cost of living. Florida homeowners insurance is the other big number to understand before you make an offer.

What taxes do Canadian property owners pay in Florida?

Florida has no state income tax, which is part of the appeal. But non-residents do not qualify for the homestead exemption, so your property taxes will run higher than a Florida resident's on the same home. When you sell, the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) requires the buyer to withhold 15 percent of the gross sale price unless an exemption applies. The Canada-U.S. tax treaty gives Canadian residents a proportional estate-tax exemption, which is worth reviewing with a cross-border tax advisor before you buy.

Where do Canadian buyers usually look in Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte Counties?

Across the three counties, the pattern follows value and lifestyle. Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch draw buyers who want walkable downtowns, arts, and amenities; Bradenton and Parrish offer more home for the price; Venice has historic charm minutes from the Gulf; and Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte deliver the most affordable waterfront in the region. Median single-family prices run about $493,500 in Sarasota County and $495,000 in Manatee County, with Charlotte County noticeably lower. The market is two-speed right now: single-family inventory is tight, while condos and townhomes give buyers real room to negotiate.

Is now a good time for Canadians to buy in Sarasota?

Honestly, it depends on the exchange rate, your timeline, and the property type. The weaker loonie makes every dollar of purchase price and insurance cost more expensive in Canadian terms, and Florida premiums have climbed. That said, buyers who come prepared with a clear budget, a pre-approval, and a local advisor who can walk them through flood zones, HOA rules, and insurance before they make an offer tend to do very well in this market. The homes priced right still move; the overpriced ones sit. If you are buying from a distance, my guide for out-of-state buyers covers the process step by step.

I'm Kim Donahue, a REALTOR® with Medway Realty, licensed in Florida as SL3352997, serving Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte Counties for more than 30 years. If you are weighing the move from Canada, I will tell you plainly what a home costs to own here, not just what it costs to buy. Call me at (941) 724-2587 or reach me through my contact page, and we can start the conversation. I've got your back.