Can I buy a condo while owning an HDB flat?
Yes. You can keep your HDB flat and buy a condo only after you have completed your flat's Minimum Occupation Period — 5 years for standard flats, 10 years for Plus and Prime flats. Owning the HDB flat makes the condo your second property, so Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty applies: 20% for Singapore citizens on a second property.
The full rules
Owning an HDB flat and buying a condo
Two things govern this: your flat's Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) and Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD).
Minimum Occupation Period
You must complete your MOP before you can buy private property while keeping the flat.
| Flat type | MOP |
| Standard flats | 5 years |
| Plus and Prime flats | 10 years |
Plus and Prime flats also carry no whole-flat rental at any time and a subsidy clawback on first resale. Confirm your flat's classification and MOP status with HDB.
Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (second property)
If you keep the flat, the condo counts as your second property. ABSD rates:
| Buyer profile | Second property |
| Singapore Citizen | 20% |
| Permanent Resident | 30% |
| Foreigner | 60% |
| Entity | 65% |
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, on top of Buyer's Stamp Duty.
Worked example
Worked example
Siti is a Singapore citizen. She bought a standard BTO flat 6 years ago and has completed her 5-year MOP. She wants to buy a $1,800,000 condo while keeping her flat.
- MOP: completed, so she may keep the flat and buy private property.
- The condo is her second property, so ABSD applies at 20% for citizens.
- ABSD = 20% × $1,800,000 = $360,000.
This is on top of Buyer's Stamp Duty and her condo financing. If her flat were a Plus or Prime flat, she would instead need to wait for the full 10-year MOP first.
What this means for you
You own a standard flat, past 5 years
You can keep the flat and buy a condo. As a citizen, expect 20% ABSD on the condo as your second property.
You own a Plus or Prime flat
You must wait the full 10 years before buying private property. These flats also cannot be rented out whole at any time, and a subsidy clawback applies on first resale.
You are a Permanent Resident
If your flat is MOP-cleared and you keep it, the condo is your second property at 30% ABSD. Check your flat eligibility with HDB.
Related questions
Do I have to sell my HDB flat to buy a condo?
No. Once your MOP is complete, you may keep the flat and buy a condo. But the condo then counts as your second property, so ABSD applies — 20% for citizens, 30% for PRs.
How long is my MOP?
Standard flats have a 5-year MOP. Plus and Prime flats have a 10-year MOP. Confirm which classification your flat falls under with HDB.
Can I buy a condo before finishing my MOP?
Not while keeping the flat. You must complete your MOP first. Check your exact MOP completion date with HDB before committing to any condo purchase.
How much ABSD will I pay as a citizen?
On a second property, Singapore citizens pay 20% ABSD, charged on the higher of purchase price or market value, on top of Buyer's Stamp Duty.
Can I rent out my Plus or Prime flat after buying a condo?
No. Plus and Prime flats cannot be rented out whole at any time. They also carry a subsidy clawback on first resale. Confirm the rules with HDB.
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 2026-10-19