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Can Singaporeans buy property in Johor Bahru? Rules, minimum price and steps (2026)

Last checked 2026-11-10

Short answer: yes. Singaporeans and other foreigners can own property in Johor Bahru, but only with the consent of the Johor State Authority, and only for property that is open to foreign buyers.

The rules in plain words

  • State consent is required for every foreign purchase. Your lawyer applies for it after the sale and purchase agreement is signed.
  • Minimum price. The general minimum for foreigners buying residential property in Johor is RM1 million.
  • Some units are cheaper. A few zones (for example Medini) and some developer projects with special state approval can sell to foreigners below RM1 million. Ask for the approval in writing before you pay a booking fee.
  • Restricted land. Malay Reserve land, Bumiputera-lot units and low-cost or medium-low-cost units are generally not available to foreigners. A listing that says "freehold" is not enough: check the title category and any restriction in interest.
  • No visa needed. You do not need MM2H or a long-stay visa to own a property, and owning one does not give you residency.
Below RM1 million? Under the special approvals, Johor applies a minimum levy of RM50,000 on foreign purchases of serviced apartments below RM1 million (since 1 July 2025). Resale can be limited too: ask how you will sell later.

Money questions Singaporeans ask first

  • CPF: not allowed. The CPF Board says CPF savings can only be used to buy property in Singapore, so the down payment and instalments come from cash or a bank loan.
  • Home loan: often possible, in ringgit, but tighter than for Malaysians. Sources commonly quote 60–70% financing for foreign buyers. Many Singaporeans pay cash. Ask the bank for a written quote.
  • Singapore ABSD: IRAS says property owned outside Singapore is not counted for ABSD. HDB rules are different, so check with HDB before you buy.

The buying steps

  1. Pick a project that is open to foreigners and confirm the price meets the rule.
  2. Pay the booking fee and sign the letter of offer.
  3. Appoint a Malaysian lawyer to review and sign the sale and purchase agreement (SPA).
  4. Your lawyer applies for state consent (see our state consent guide).
  5. Arrange the loan or cash, then complete and collect your keys. For a new project, completion follows the developer's schedule.

Before you pay anything

  • Ask: can a foreigner buy this exact unit at this exact price?
  • Budget for the extra costs: see how much extra to prepare.
  • Use the Projects page to check which projects are open to foreigners and their real distance to CIQ and RTS.
Sources

Keep reading

Johor State Consent explainedHow much extra should you budget when buying in Johor? A RM1 million example
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