Singapore

Who can buy in Singapore is set by the Residential Property Act, run by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). • Foreigners can buy private condominium and apartment units without approval. • Landed homes (houses, bungalows, vacant residential land) are "restricted residential property": foreigners need SLA approval, which is rarely given except in limited cases. Sentosa Cove is a special area where foreigners may apply to buy landed homes. • Public housing (HDB flats) cannot be bought by foreigners; it is for citizens and, for resale flats, permanent residents. • Most land is either freehold, 999-year or 99-year leasehold. Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://www.sla.gov.sg/properties/residential-property-act
• https://www.hdb.gov.sg/residential/buying-a-flat/understanding-your-eligibility-and-housing-loan-options

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Stamp duties when buying (from IRAS): • Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD), everyone pays, on price or market value, whichever is higher: 1% on the first S$180,000, 2% on the next S$180,000, 3% on the next S$640,000, 4% on the next S$500,000, 5% on the next S$1.5 million, 6% on the rest (residential). • Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) on homes, on top of BSD: foreigners 60%; Singapore permanent residents 5% on a first home and 30% on a second; citizens 0% on a first home and 20% on a second; homes bought into a trust 65%. Check IRAS for current rates and any treaty exceptions. • Seller's Stamp Duty: homes bought on or after 4 July 2025 and sold within 4 years pay SSD (rates fall the longer you hold). • Yearly property tax: lower progressive rates for owner-occupied homes, higher rates for homes you rent out or leave empty. Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://www.iras.gov.sg/quick-links/tax-rates/stamp-duty
• https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/stamp-duty/for-property/buying-or-acquiring-property/additional-buyer's-stamp-duty-(absd)
• https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/stamp-duty/for-property/selling-or-disposing-property/seller's-stamp-duty-(ssd)-for-residential-property
• https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/property-tax

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Renting out property: • Private homes must be let for at least 3 consecutive months; short-term holiday letting (such as nightly rentals) is not allowed. HDB flats have a minimum of 6 months and other HDB rules. • Rental income is taxable in Singapore, including for owners living abroad; non-residents are taxed at non-resident rates. • Tenancy agreements need stamp duty, paid through IRAS. • Rented homes pay the higher non-owner-occupier property tax rates. Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Property/Residential/Short-Term-Accommodation
• https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/individual-income-tax/basics-of-individual-income-tax/what-is-taxable-what-is-not/rental-income
• https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/stamp-duty/for-property/renting-or-leasing-property

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Buying property does not give you a right to live in Singapore. There is no property-for-residency scheme. • Long-term options are separate: work passes (Ministry of Manpower), and the Global Investor Programme (run by the Economic Development Board) for major business investors, which leads to permanent residence. • Permanent residence applications are decided by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/how-we-help/global-investor-programme.html
• https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/PR/apply
• https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits

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Commercial and industrial property: • Foreigners and foreign companies can generally buy offices, shops and commercial property without SLA approval; ABSD does not apply to non-residential property. • Buyer's Stamp Duty on non-residential property goes up to 5%. • GST (currently 9%) usually applies when buying commercial property from a GST-registered seller; homes are exempt. • Industrial land is mostly leased from JTC with conditions on use. Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://www.iras.gov.sg/quick-links/tax-rates/stamp-duty
• https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/goods-services-tax-(gst)/specific-business-sectors/real-estate-property
• https://www.sla.gov.sg/properties/residential-property-act

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Checks before you buy: • Search the title at the SLA (INLIS) to confirm the owner, the tenure and any mortgages or caveats. • Check your ABSD position with IRAS before signing the Option to Purchase; duty is due within 14 days. • Use a property agent registered with the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA); check the public register. • For new launches, check the developer licence and project details with URA. • Use a Singapore conveyancing lawyer. Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://www.sla.gov.sg/inlis
• https://www.cea.gov.sg/public-register
• https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Property/Residential/New-Private-Residential-Property

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Inheritance and wills: • Wills follow the Wills Act. Without a will, the Intestate Succession Act decides who inherits (for non-Muslims). • Muslims' estates are generally handled under the Administration of Muslim Law Act and Islamic inheritance rules. • Property held as "joint tenants" passes automatically to the surviving owner; "tenants-in-common" shares pass under the will. • Estates are administered through the Family Justice Courts (grant of probate or letters of administration). Singapore has no estate duty for deaths on or after 15 Feb 2008. Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/family/apply-probate-letters-administration
• https://www.mlaw.gov.sg/
• https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/estate-duty

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People you will usually need: • Conveyancing lawyer (Singapore-qualified). • CEA-registered property agent; check the public register. • Tax adviser for stamp duty and rental-income tax. • Bank or mortgage adviser; loan limits follow MAS rules. No professionals on this site are verified for Singapore yet. Researched 13 Oct 2026 from official sources. Not professionally reviewed.

• https://www.cea.gov.sg/public-register
• https://www.mas.gov.sg/

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