Foreigner's Guide
Singapore's stamp duties are the biggest line item for foreign buyers — often 65%+ of the purchase price for non-PRs. Here is the math.
Buyer's Stamp Duty applies to every buyer, regardless of nationality. The rate climbs in 6 tiered bands.
Worked example
On a S$2,000,000 condo, total BSD = S$68,600.
Source: IRAS (Feb 2023 update)
Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty rates effective 27 Apr 2023
1st property
2nd property
3rd+ property
Source: IRAS (iras.gov.sg)
Two stamp duties apply when you buy residential property in Singapore: Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD) and Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD). BSD applies to everyone. ABSD is where citizenship + how many properties you already own matters — a lot.
BSD is tiered on the purchase price (or market value, whichever is higher). The current rates for residential property (effective 15 Feb 2023):
Worked example: a S$2,000,000 condo. BSD = S$1,800 + S$3,600 + S$19,200 + S$20,000 + S$25,000 = S$69,600.
ABSD was last revised on 27 Apr 2023. Rates now:
Same S$2,000,000 condo as a foreigner → ABSD of S$1,200,000 on top of the BSD. Total stamp duty: S$1,269,600 before you even pay for the unit.
Nationals and Permanent Residents of countries with FTA treatment are taxed at Singapore Citizen ABSD rates for residential property. As of writing, this covers:
So a US national paying ABSD on her first SG residential property pays 0%, not 60%. This is a huge differentiator — verify your country's FTA status before assuming foreigner rates apply to you.
If one spouse is a Singapore Citizen and the other is a foreigner/PR, you may qualify for full ABSD remission on a joint purchase — provided you sell any other residential property within 6 months of the purchase. The application is made via IRAS. Get a lawyer to verify eligibility before banking on this.
Stamp duty must be paid within 14 days of the Option to Purchase (OTP) exercise (for properties bought in Singapore) — or 30 days if the documents are signed overseas. Late payment penalties run up to 4× the duty.
Editorial note
This article is general information only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Singapore property rules change with policy updates, and every buyer's situation is different. Consult a CEA-registered Singapore property agent, qualified tax advisor, and conveyancing lawyer before making any purchase decision.