Can a foreigner buy a condo in Singapore?
Yes. A foreigner may freely buy a private condominium unit in Singapore without approval; this includes executive condominiums (ECs) past their 10-year mark. However, Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) of 60% applies on the purchase. Landed property is different and needs Land Dealings Approval Unit (LDAU) approval, except Sentosa Cove, which has a streamlined process.
The full rules
Foreigners buying a condo in Singapore
Foreigners can freely purchase private condominium units. No government approval is required for condos, unlike landed property.
| Property type | Foreigner approval needed? |
| Private condominium unit | No |
| Executive condominium (past 10-year mark) | No |
| Landed property | Yes — LDAU approval |
| Landed in Sentosa Cove | Streamlined process |
Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD)
ABSD applies on top of standard Buyer's Stamp Duty. Rates by profile (any property count):
| Buyer profile | ABSD rate |
| Foreigner | 60% |
| Entity | 65% |
For comparison, citizen and PR rates:
| Buyer profile | 1st property | 2nd property | 3rd+ property |
| Singapore Citizen | 0% | 20% | 30% |
| Permanent Resident | 5% | 30% | 35% |
Free trade agreement exception
Nationals of the USA, and nationals/PRs of Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, are treated as Singapore Citizens for ABSD purposes.
*Rules effective from 1973 (Residential Property Act); ABSD rates effective 27 April 2023.*
Worked example
Worked example
A foreign national (not covered by any FTA exception) buys a private condominium unit priced at S$2,000,000.
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
| Purchase price | — | S$2,000,000 |
| ABSD (foreigner, 60%) | S$2,000,000 × 60% | S$1,200,000 |
The foreigner needs no approval to buy the condo, but must pay S$1,200,000 in ABSD.
If the same buyer were a US national (treated as a Singapore Citizen under the FTA) buying their first property, the ABSD rate would be 0%, so ABSD would be S$0.
*Note: standard Buyer's Stamp Duty is separate and not provided in this data.*
What this means for you
Foreign national (no FTA)
You can buy a condo freely, but face 60% ABSD. On a S$2m unit that is S$1.2m in ABSD alone. Landed property would additionally need LDAU approval.
US national (or Swiss/Icelandic/Liechtenstein/Norwegian national or PR)
Under free trade agreements you are treated as a Singapore Citizen for ABSD. That means 0% on your first property, 20% on your second and 30% on your third or later.
Foreigner eyeing landed property
Condos are open to you, but landed homes need Land Dealings Approval Unit approval. Sentosa Cove has a streamlined process.
Related questions
Do foreigners need government approval to buy a condo?
No. Foreigners may freely buy private condominium units, including executive condominiums past their 10-year mark. Approval through the Land Dealings Approval Unit is only required for landed property, with a streamlined process for Sentosa Cove.
How much ABSD does a foreigner pay on a condo?
A foreigner pays 60% ABSD on any residential property purchase, effective 27 April 2023. This is on top of the standard Buyer's Stamp Duty, which is not covered in this data.
Are any foreigners exempt from the 60% ABSD?
Nationals of the USA, and nationals or PRs of Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, are treated as Singapore Citizens for ABSD under free trade agreements. That means 0% on a first property rather than 60%.
Can a foreign company buy a condo?
An entity buying residential property pays 65% ABSD — higher than the 60% for an individual foreigner. This data covers only the ABSD rate, not other approval or entity requirements.
Can a foreigner buy a landed house?
Not freely. Landed property requires approval from the Land Dealings Approval Unit. Sentosa Cove is an exception with a streamlined process. Condominiums, by contrast, need no such approval.
More answers: Can a foreigner buy landed property in Singapore? · Can a PR buy a condo in Singapore? · Can a PR buy a resale HDB flat? · Can I buy a condo while owning an HDB flat?
Sources: SLA — Residential Property Act / Land Dealings Approval Unit · IRAS — Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty · Last verified 2026-09-05