Property
Singapore — Property: Can Foreigners Buy?
Foreigners (non-PR, non-citizen) can freely buy most private non-landed property in Singapore — condominiums, apartments, and Executive Condominiums over 10 years old — but face a 60% Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD). HDB flats are strictly off-limits to non-citizens/non-PRs under the Residential Property Act, except via the Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme with a Singaporean partner. Landed property (bungalows, semi-detached, terrace houses) requires rare Land Dealings Approval Unit (LDAU) approval, typically reserved for Sentosa Cove properties or exceptional economic contributors, usually assessed against 5+ years of PR status and significant economic contribution. Certain nationals (US, under the US-Singapore FTA; and Iceland/Liechtenstein/Norway/Switzerland nationals/PRs under the EFTA-Singapore FTA) receive Singapore Citizen-equivalent stamp duty treatment.
Key facts
- Foreigners can freely buy most private non-landed property (condos, apartments, ECs 10+ years old) — subject to 60% ABSD.
- HDB flats are off-limits to non-citizens/non-PRs, except via the Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme.
- Landed property requires rare LDAU approval, typically reserved for Sentosa Cove or exceptional economic contributors with 5+ years PR status.
- US nationals (US-Singapore FTA) and nationals/PRs of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland (EFTA-Singapore FTA) get Citizen-equivalent stamp duty treatment.
Required documents
- Passport/pass documentation
- LDAU application (landed property only)
Common mistakes
- Assuming any foreigner can buy landed property — this requires rare LDAU approval, generally reserved for Sentosa Cove or exceptional economic contributors.
- Overlooking FTA exemptions — US, Icelandic, Liechtenstein, Norwegian, and Swiss nationals may qualify for Citizen-equivalent stamp duty treatment.