Singapore · Property
Buying property in Singapore
Additional buyer’s stamp duty and loan rules for foreigners in Singapore, and why many internationals rent before they consider a purchase.
Additional buyer’s stamp duty and loan rules for foreigners in Singapore are significant, and they have been revised more than once. The current figures should be checked before an offer. This page does not state a rate or a loan-to-value.
Many internationals rent for a long time. A lease review matters as much as a purchase file. Buying is a separate decision from the employment pass that brought you to the city, and a property tax or stamp-duty outcome is not something to copy from a forum.
Last reviewed 2026-10-12
What to weigh
Stamp duty for foreign buyers
Additional buyer’s stamp duty can change the total cost sharply. Confirm the current rule for your status and the property before you treat the asking price as the price.
Loan rules
Loan limits for foreigners have also been revised. A bank in another country is not a Singapore offer. Ask what a local lender will consider for your residence and income.
Renting first
A lease, the deposit and what the landlord can ask for are worth reading carefully. Renting is a common way to learn the city before a purchase.
Do not model a stale rate
Because the rules have changed more than once, a percentage remembered from a previous year is not a budget. Use the current official figure.
Questions to confirm
- What additional buyer’s stamp duty applies to your status and this property today?
- What loan, if any, will a lender consider against foreign income?
- If you will rent, what does the lease require on deposit, term and early exit?
- How does the year of arrival affect tax residence, separately from the property purchase?
Common questions
How much is the additional buyer’s stamp duty?
This page does not state a figure. The duty has been revised more than once. Confirm the current amount with the tax authority for your status and the property.
Can I get a mortgage in Singapore on foreign income?
It depends on the lender, your residence and the income. A loan approved elsewhere is not a Singapore offer. Ask a lender or a regulated broker who can see the specific case.
Is renting a failure to decide?
No. Many internationals rent for a long time. A careful lease is often the more useful document in the first year.
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Related pages
- Singapore destination guide
- Property
- Property tax
- Banking in Singapore
- Running a business in Singapore
- Buying property in the UAE
- Buying property in Portugal
- Buying property in Cyprus
- Buying property in Switzerland
Sources
- Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore. Reviewed 2026-10-12. Confirm the current rule with the publisher. This page does not quote a rate or a fee from the source.
WiT Access provides general information and comparison resources. Nothing on this website constitutes financial, tax, legal or investment advice. Always consider obtaining advice from an appropriately qualified professional.