SingaporeCan a foreigner buy residential property in Singapore?
Yes, but only certain types of residential property and subject to strict conditions — most foreigners need government approval to buy landed property or restricted residential units.
What the Law Says
The Residential Property Act controls who may buy residential property in Singapore, especially to protect local housing supply and national interests.
Under Singapore law, foreigners (non-citizens and non-permanent residents) may buy certain types of residential property without special permission — mainly strata-titled condominiums and apartments. However, they are generally prohibited from buying landed residential property (e.g., bungalows, semi-detached houses, terrace houses) unless they obtain prior written approval from the Controller of Residential Property.
The law also restricts purchases of certain residential units in developments designated as 'restricted' — such as those built on state land with specific tenure conditions. Approval is mandatory for these too.
Even when allowed, foreign buyers must comply with additional rules, including minimum purchase prices in certain areas (e.g., $1 million for condos in the Core Central Region), and may be subject to Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) at higher rates.
Statutory TextNo person other than a citizen of Singapore shall, except with the prior written approval of the Controller, acquire any interest in any residential property which is not a strata-titled residential property or which is a strata-titled residential property situated in a building comprising not more than 8 units.
— Residential Property Act, s. 3 — Control of acquisition of residential property by non-citizens
What to Do
Check if the property is strata-titled and has more than 8 units — if yes, no approval is needed.
If it’s landed property or a small strata development (≤8 units), apply for written approval from the Controller of Residential Property via the Singapore Land Authority (SLA).
Confirm ABSD liability (currently 60% for foreigners buying residential property, as of 2024).
Engage a qualified Singapore conveyancing lawyer to verify eligibility and handle documentation.
Ensure funds are transferred through proper banking channels and comply with Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) guidelines.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.