Can I buy a condo while owning an HDB flat?
Yes, you can buy a private condo while owning an HDB flat, but you must first complete your flat's Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) — 5 years for standard flats, or 10 years for Plus and Prime flats. Once the MOP is met, a Singapore Citizen buying a second property pays 20% ABSD on the condo (rates differ for PRs and foreigners).
The full rules
Owning a condo while keeping an HDB flat
Two rules apply: the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) on your HDB flat, and Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) on the condo, which becomes your second property.
Minimum Occupation Period (MOP)
| Flat type | MOP | Notes |
| Standard flat | 5 years | — |
| Plus / Prime flat | 10 years | No whole-flat rental at any time; subsidy clawback on first resale |
You must complete the MOP before buying private property while keeping your flat.
ABSD on the condo (as a second property)
| Buyer profile | ABSD on second property |
| Singapore Citizen | 20% |
| Permanent Resident | 30% |
| Foreigner | 60% (any purchase) |
| Entity | 65% (any purchase) |
FTA note: Nationals of the USA, and nationals/PRs of Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are treated as Singapore Citizens for ABSD.
ABSD is charged on the higher of the purchase price or market value of the condo.
Worked example
Worked example
Situation: A Singapore Citizen owns a standard HDB flat, bought 6 years ago, and wants to buy a $1,500,000 condo while keeping the flat.
1. MOP check: The standard flat MOP is 5 years. At 6 years, the MOP is complete — the owner is eligible to buy private property.
2. ABSD: The condo is a second property, so the Citizen ABSD rate is 20%.
3. ABSD payable: $1,500,000 × 20% = $300,000.
This ABSD is on top of the standard Buyer's Stamp Duty (not covered in the data provided here).
What this means for you
Citizen who just got the keys
If you completed your standard flat's 5-year MOP, you can buy a condo now. As a Citizen, expect 20% ABSD on the condo as your second property.
Plus or Prime flat owner
Your MOP is 10 years, not 5. You cannot buy private property while keeping the flat until the full 10 years are up, and whole-flat rental is never allowed.
Permanent Resident
Once your flat's MOP is met, buying a condo as a PR triggers 30% ABSD on the second property — higher than the Citizen rate.
Related questions
Do I have to sell my HDB flat to buy a condo?
Not if you have completed the MOP — you may keep the flat and buy a condo. The condo counts as a second property, so ABSD applies at the relevant rate for your profile.
What is the MOP for a Plus or Prime flat?
10 years, compared with 5 years for a standard flat. Plus and Prime flats also cannot be rented out whole-flat at any time and face a subsidy clawback on first resale.
How much ABSD does a Citizen pay on a second property?
20% for a Singapore Citizen buying a second residential property. A PR pays 30%, a foreigner pays 60%, and an entity pays 65%.
Are any foreigners treated as Citizens for ABSD?
Yes. Under free trade agreements, nationals of the USA, and nationals or PRs of Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are treated as Singapore Citizens for ABSD.
Can I buy a condo before my MOP ends?
No. You must complete the Minimum Occupation Period — 5 years for standard flats, 10 years for Plus and Prime flats — before buying private property while keeping your HDB flat.
More answers: Can a foreigner buy a condo in Singapore? · Can a foreigner buy landed property in Singapore? · Can a PR buy a condo in Singapore? · Can a PR buy a resale HDB flat?
Sources: HDB — selling eligibility / Minimum Occupation Period · IRAS — Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty · Last verified 2026-09-05