Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) for foreigners — Costs and fees breakdown
Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty is the surcharge foreign buyers pay on top of ordinary Buyer’s Stamp Duty when purchasing Singapore residential property. Since the April 2023 cooling measures, foreigners pay ABSD at 60 percent of the price or market value, whichever is higher, making it the single largest line in a foreign purchase.
Little Big Employment Agency (EA Licence 19C9790) works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.
What Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty is
ABSD is a tax administered by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore under the Stamp Duties Act 1929, layered on top of Buyer’s Stamp Duty. The rate depends on the buyer’s profile and how many residential properties they already own. Foreigners face the highest band.
Who pays, and at what rate
As at 2026, Singapore citizens pay no ABSD on a first residential property, permanent residents pay 5 percent on their first, and foreigners pay 60 percent on any residential purchase. Entities pay 65 percent. These rates took effect on 27 April 2023 and remain in force.
Treaty exemptions under the free-trade agreements
Nationals and permanent residents of the United States, and nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, are accorded the same ABSD treatment as Singapore citizens under free-trade agreements. A qualifying US national therefore pays no ABSD on a first property. This exemption must be claimed correctly at the point of purchase.
Worked cost examples
On a S$2,000,000 condominium, Buyer’s Stamp Duty is roughly S$69,600, and ABSD for a foreigner at 60 percent is S$1,200,000, giving total stamp duty of about S$1,269,600. For a qualifying treaty national treated as a citizen buying their first home, ABSD is nil and only the S$69,600 BSD applies. The difference, S$1.2 million, shows why residency and nationality planning matters before you commit.
Timeline and payment
Stamp duty is payable within 14 days of signing the contract or agreement if executed in Singapore (30 days if executed overseas). Late payment attracts penalties. Foreign buyers should also confirm eligibility, since foreigners generally cannot buy landed residential property without special approval, and only certain condominium and non-landed purchases are open.
Related planning
Foreigners weighing whether to buy personally or through a company should read Singapore holding company tax optimisation (note entities pay 65 percent ABSD), and those setting up here may need a nominee director. The broader mechanics of buying are in buying property in Singapore as a foreigner or PR.
FAQs
What is the ABSD rate for foreigners? 60 percent of price or market value, whichever is higher.
Are any foreigners exempt? Nationals of the US, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (and US PRs) get citizen treatment under FTAs.
When is ABSD due? Within 14 days of signing if executed in Singapore.
Can foreigners buy landed property? Generally not without special approval; non-landed is more open.
Need help with this? Call, SMS or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133, or email [email protected]. Little Big Employment Agency (EA Licence 19C9790) works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.