What you can own, how the process works, and what to watch out for.
Singapore occupies an unusual position among South East Asian markets: its private condominium sector is freely open to foreign buyers, with no ownership quota per building, yet it applies one of the highest foreign buyer taxes in the world. Political stability, a strong currency and no capital gains tax make it attractive for long-term wealth preservation — but the entry cost needs to be understood clearly before you commit.
Yes. Foreigners can freely buy private, non-landed residential property — condominiums and apartments — with full ownership registered in their own name and no local partner or corporate structure required. There is no quota limiting the proportion of foreign owners in a condominium development, which contrasts with markets like Thailand and the Philippines.
Foreigners cannot buy HDB flats (Singapore's public housing), and landed property (bungalows, semi-detached and terraced houses) requires special approval from the Singapore Land Authority, which is rarely granted outside of the Sentosa Cove development.
The Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) is the key cost
Since April 2023, foreign buyers have paid an Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty of 60% on any residential property purchase — regardless of whether it's their first property or their fifth, and with no exemption for owner-occupation. This is on top of the standard Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD), which applies to all buyers regardless of nationality on a progressive scale of roughly 1%–6% depending on price. On a S$2 million condominium, ABSD alone can exceed S$1.2 million. This is confirmed directly by Singapore's Inland Revenue Authority (IRAS) and has remained unchanged since April 2023, though buyers should always check the current rate before budgeting, as cooling measures have been adjusted before.
Nationals or permanent residents of the United States, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are treated the same as Singapore citizens for stamp duty purposes under Free Trade Agreement provisions — meaning 0% ABSD on a first property. This is a significant advantage for eligible buyers and is confirmed on IRAS's official website. If you hold one of these nationalities, confirm your eligibility with a Singapore-qualified lawyer before signing.
Stamp duty rates and cooling measures are set by IRAS and MAS and have been adjusted several times in recent years. Always verify current rates directly with IRAS or a Singapore-qualified lawyer before completing a purchase.
Buying property in Singapore does not grant residency or a visa of any kind — ownership and immigration status are entirely separate in Singapore. Foreigners intending to live in Singapore long-term need to qualify separately through employment passes, entrepreneur passes, or other immigration routes administered by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Visa regulations change periodically — verify current requirements directly with ICA or a licensed immigration consultant.
Always use a qualified lawyer
We strongly recommend appointing an independent Singapore-qualified conveyancing lawyer before exercising an Option to Purchase. They will confirm your ABSD liability (including any FTA eligibility), the financing conditions available to you, and handle stamp duty filing within the required deadlines.
Speak to our team about opportunities matching your budget and goals.
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