Types of Properties Foreigners Can Buy in Singapore | Homejourney

Foreigners in Singapore can freely buy private condominiums, apartments, fully privatised executive condominiums (ECs), and most commercial/industrial properties without prior government approval, while landed homes, HDB flats, and newer ECs are heavily restricted or off-limits to non-residents.[2][3][5][6]

This cluster guide focuses specifically on the types of properties foreigners can buy in Singapore, and how each option fits into your tax costs, especially whether paying 60% ABSD is worth it for your investment goals. It supports Homejourney’s main pillar guide on foreign property ownership in Singapore by going deep into property types, regulations, and practical decision-making.

Why Property Type Matters So Much for Foreign Buyers

For foreign buyers, choosing the right property type in Singapore is not just about lifestyle; it directly determines what you are legally allowed to buy, your total tax bill (including whether 60% ABSD is worth it), and your potential investment return after ABSD.[2][3][6]

From walking past new condo launches in District 9 to older walk-up apartments in Tiong Bahru, I often hear foreign clients assume that “everything is open” to them as long as they can pay. In reality, Singapore’s Residential Property Act, administered by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), draws a very clear line between restricted landed/HDB properties and non-restricted strata and commercial properties.[3][5]

Homejourney’s role is to make these rules transparent and safe to navigate. Every listing on Homejourney is clearly tagged with ownership eligibility and verified information, so foreign buyers do not waste time viewing properties they legally cannot purchase. Start filtering eligible homes via Property Search .

Quick Overview: What Foreigners Can and Cannot Buy

To maximise clarity (and featured snippet potential), here is a concise classification of the types of properties foreigners can buy in Singapore under current rules.

Property Type	Foreigners (Non-PR)	Key Notes
New HDB BTO / SBF	Not allowed	Only for eligible Singaporean households.
HDB resale flat	Not allowed	Foreigners (non-PR) cannot buy any HDB flat to live in.[9]
New Executive Condominium (EC)	Not allowed	Only Singaporean households can buy new ECs from developers.[2][9]
Resale EC (5–10 years from TOP)	Not allowed	Can only be bought by SC/SPR households.[2]
Privatised EC (>10 years from TOP)	Allowed	Treated like private condo; foreigners can buy without approval.[2]
Private condo / apartment	Allowed	Most common choice; no SLA approval required.[2][5][6]
Strata landed in approved condo	Allowed	As long as it is part of an approved condominium development.[2][3]
Landed house (mainland)	Generally not allowed	Requires SLA approval; typically need to be PR >5 years with exceptional economic contribution.[3]
Landed at Sentosa Cove	Allowed with SLA approval	Only landed enclave often open to foreigners, still subject to approval.[1][3]
Commercial / industrial property	Allowed	Generally open to foreigners; ABSD does not apply as these are non-residential.[5][7]

1. Private Condominiums & Apartments – The Default Option for Foreigners

For most foreigners, private condos and apartments are the primary and most straightforward property type to buy in Singapore. You can purchase:

Freehold or leasehold condo units
Strata-titled apartments in high-rise or mid-rise buildings
Units in mixed-use projects (e.g. residential above retail podium)

Under the Residential Property Act, foreigners may freely buy such strata units without SLA approval.[2][3][5] This is why you see a high concentration of foreign owners in core central areas like Orchard (District 9), River Valley (10), and Marina Bay (1), but also increasingly in city-fringe estates like Queenstown, Bishan, and Paya Lebar.

Key Regulations Affecting Foreign Condo Buyers

Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD): Payable by all buyers, progressive from 1% upwards depending on price.[1][5]
Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD): As of 2025, most foreigners pay 60% ABSD on the purchase price or market value (whichever is higher) for any residential property.[1][6]
Loan-to-Value (LTV): Banks typically lend up to 75% for first housing loan if you meet Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) requirements, though some foreign buyers may face more conservative lending depending on income source and country of origin (based on MAS rules and bank risk policies).

To compare 2025–2026 mortgage packages and stress-test your borrowing safely, use Homejourney’s verified rate tools at Bank Rates or Mortgage Rates .

Insider Local Tip: Picking the Right Condo Locations

Living in Singapore, you quickly learn that MRT connectivity and walkability can matter more than district numbers. For example:

Condos around Redhill, Queenstown, and Tiong Bahru MRT (all on the East–West Line) offer 10–15 minute rides into Raffles Place, but rents are often lower than Orchard or Marina Bay.
On the North-East Line, Serangoon (NEX mall), Kovan and Hougang are popular with expats who want more local food, schools, and heartland amenities.

Use Projects Directory and Projects on Homejourney for detailed project data, historical pricing, and verified transaction trends before paying that 60% ABSD.

2. Executive Condominiums (ECs) – Only After Full Privatization

Executive Condominiums (ECs) sit between public and private housing. For foreigners, the rule is simple but strict:[2][9]

You cannot buy new ECs from developers.
You cannot buy resale ECs that are 5–10 years from TOP (these are only open to Singapore Citizens and PR households).[2]
You can buy ECs only after they become fully privatised, i.e. from the 11th year after TOP.

Once fully privatized, an EC is legally treated as a private condo, and foreigners can purchase without SLA approval.[2] Some of these mature ECs in areas like Punggol, Sengkang, and Bukit Panjang offer larger layouts at lower PSF compared to brand-new condos, making them interesting for foreigners seeking more space at a lower entry quantum.

3. Strata Landed Houses in Approved Condominium Developments

Foreigners can buy strata landed houses that are part of an approved condominium development, for example certain townhouses within a condo project.[2][3]

According to SLA, the properties that require approval are landed residential properties such as terraces, semi-detached houses, bungalows, and strata landed houses which are not within an approved condominium development