Does a PR need government approval to buy a condo?

No. Permanent Residents can buy private condominium units freely. Approval is only needed for landed residential property, which has separate rules.

How much ABSD does a PR pay on a first condo?

A PR pays 5% ABSD on a first residential property, charged on the higher of purchase price or market value, on top of the standard Buyer's Stamp Duty.

What if I already own a property as a PR?

A second residential property attracts 30% ABSD, and a third or subsequent property attracts 35%. These rates apply regardless of where your other properties are counted.

Can a PR buy a landed house instead?

Landed residential property has separate approval requirements and is not treated the same as a condo. Check your eligibility with the Singapore Land Authority before proceeding.

I'm a US national and a PR. What ABSD do I pay?

US nationals are treated as Singapore Citizens for ABSD, so your first property would attract 0%. Confirm your eligibility with IRAS before purchase.

Can a PR buy a condo in Singapore?

Yes. A Singapore Permanent Resident can buy a private condominium unit without needing special approval. The key cost to plan for is Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty: a PR pays 5% ABSD on a first residential property, rising to 30% on a second and 35% on a third or subsequent property. This is on top of the standard Buyer's Stamp Duty.

The full rules

PRs buying a condominium

Permanent Residents can freely buy private condominium units in Singapore. No special approval is needed for condo purchases — approval is only required for landed property.

ABSD rates for Permanent Residents

Property count	ABSD rate
First residential property	5%
Second residential property	30%
Third or subsequent	35%

ABSD is charged on top of the standard Buyer's Stamp Duty and applies to the higher of the purchase price or market value.

How this compares

Buyer type	First property	Second	Third+
Citizen	0%	20%	30%
PR	5%	30%	35%
Foreigner	60%	60%	60%

Treaty exception

Nationals and PRs of Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and nationals of the USA, are treated as Singapore Citizens for ABSD. If this applies to you, your first property would attract 0% ABSD rather than 5%.

Confirm your personal eligibility and ABSD position with IRAS before committing.

Worked example

Worked example: PR buying a first condo

Suppose you are a PR buying your first residential property, a condominium priced at S$1,500,000.

Item	Amount
Purchase price	S$1,500,000
ABSD rate (PR, first property)	5%
ABSD payable	S$75,000

The S$75,000 ABSD is in addition to the standard Buyer's Stamp Duty. If this were your second property, the ABSD rate would jump to 30% — that is S$450,000 on the same price — so property count makes a large difference.

What this means for you

First-time PR buyer

You can buy a private condo freely. Budget for 5% ABSD on top of Buyer's Stamp Duty and your deposit.

PR who already owns one home

A second residential property attracts 30% ABSD. This can be a substantial sum, so factor it in early or consider your options before buying.

PR from a treaty country (Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) or US national

You are treated as a Singapore Citizen for ABSD, so a first property attracts 0%. Confirm your status with IRAS.