What it costs to buy property in Dominican Republic
A foreign buyer should budget roughly 5.5%–7.5% of the purchase price on top of the price itself. No licence or permit is required.
What you pay
- Transfer tax (ITBI)3.0% of the price$15,000
- Legal and notary fees2.5%–4.5% of the price$12,500–$22,500
| On a purchase of | $250,000 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer tax (ITBI) | $7,500 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Legal and notary fees | $6,250 – $11,250 | $12,500 – $22,500 | $25,000 – $45,000 |
| Total on top of the price | 5.5%–7.5% | 5.5%–7.5% | 5.5%–7.5% |
Can you buy as a foreigner?
No licence required
No restriction and no surcharge — foreign buyers pay exactly what Dominicans pay, and need no permit.
No approval to wait for
With no permission to obtain, the timeline is set by conveyancing rather than by a government queue.
Take it with you
These figures as a PDF, worked out at the price you enter, with every source and the date it was checked.
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Nearby markets compared
What a foreign buyer pays on top of a $500,000 price, here and in the markets around it nearest in cost.
- Puerto RicoNo licence0.9%–1.4%
- JamaicaNo licence1.8%–3.3%
- HaitiNo licence4.0%
- Dominican RepublicNo licence5.5%–7.5%
- Cayman IslandsNo licence8.0%–8.5%
An estimate for budgeting, not legal or tax advice. These rates are traced to published sources but have not been reviewed by a practitioner in this jurisdiction. Confirm the current position with an attorney before you commit.
Property in a tourism project certified under Law 158-01 is exempt from the transfer tax — worth asking whether a listing's project qualifies, since it removes the largest line. Law 30-26 is due to change how property sales are taxed from 2027; its regulations were still being drafted when checked in October 2026.
Sources: [1]