Buying property in Singapore: the official rules

Licensed agents

Estate agencies and salespersons are licensed and registered by the Council for Estate Agencies. Check your agent on the CEA Public Register (cea.gov.sg).

Buyer’s Stamp Duty and ABSD

Buyer’s Stamp Duty applies to property purchases. For purchases on or after 27 April 2023, IRAS sets Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty at: Singapore Citizens, 0% on a first home, 20% on a second and 30% on a third and beyond; Singapore Permanent Residents, 5%, 30% and 35%; foreigners, 60% on any residential property; entities, 65%. Nationals of some Free Trade Agreement countries may be treated as citizens. ABSD is charged on the higher of the purchase price or market value (iras.gov.sg).

Foreign buyers and landed homes

A foreign person who wishes to buy landed residential property in Singapore, including at Sentosa Cove, must seek approval under the Residential Property Act. The Singapore Land Authority assesses each application case by case, considering factors such as at least five years as a permanent resident and exceptional economic contribution (sla.gov.sg).

Good Class Bungalow Areas

URA lists 39 Good Class Bungalow Areas, shown on its Designated Landed Housing Area Plan (ura.gov.sg).

Where people live

See our property guide for Nassim and Tanglin, Orchard and River Valley, Newton and Novena, Bukit Timah, Sentosa Cove and Marina Bay. Homes are measured in square feet. We don’t publish prices.

Questions and answers