ABSD for foreigners buying Singapore property
Foreign buyer stamp duty can change the entire purchase decision. Based on IRAS guidance checked in June 2026, foreigners buying Singapore residential property generally face 60% ABSD, but qualifying buyers from specific FTA countries can receive Singapore Citizen stamp duty treatment.
Data is for research and comparison only.The short answer
For most foreigners buying Singapore residential property, ABSD is a huge upfront cost on top of BSD. The current IRAS table shows a 60% ABSD rate for foreigners buying any residential property on or after 27 April 2023.
That means ABSD should be checked before making an offer, not after. A purchase that looks possible before stamp duty can become unrealistic once ABSD is included.
What to make of this
This money read is where the deal either becomes comfortable or starts to wobble. The main anchors here are foreigner absd 60% (IRAS rate on or after 27 Apr 2023) and fta treatment SC rates (For qualifying listed countries). I would run the cash timing before getting attached to a property, because stamp duty, option money and completion cash arrive faster than people expect.
Foreigner buying residential property in General ABSD check is the first row I would open, with current rate 60% and source IRAS. The calculator pages should come after the market read, but before an offer. That order keeps the decision grounded without making the search feel like a spreadsheet exercise.
What I would check next
I would use the calculators after the market read, not before it. First decide whether the property price is reasonable, then test whether the cash, CPF and loan timing works.
If the numbers feel tight, do not ignore that feeling. Property mistakes often start when the market story is exciting but the cash timeline is already uncomfortable.
FTA countries are different
IRAS states that nationals and permanent residents of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, and nationals of the United States of America, can be accorded the same stamp duty treatment as Singapore Citizens under the relevant Free Trade Agreements.
That does not mean every foreign buyer pays zero ABSD. It means the buyer profile needs to be checked carefully against the IRAS remission rules and the property count.
Joint buyers and timing matter
For joint purchases, IRAS says the highest applicable ABSD rate can apply to the full property value. This is why partner profile and ownership structure matter before signing.
IRAS also says BSD and ABSD must generally be paid within 14 days after the signed contract or agreement when executed in Singapore. If the document is signed overseas, the timing can differ.
How to use PropertySmartSG for this
Use the project page to get a realistic sale price, then run the stamp duty calculator with the correct buyer profile before you treat the purchase as affordable.
For anything complex, including FTA remission, trust structures, mixed buyer profiles or remission applications, confirm with your lawyer and IRAS.
ABSD scenarios to check before offering
Use these as planning prompts, then confirm against IRAS and your lawyer.
Quick answers
Short answers based on the current data view.
What is the ABSD rate for foreigners in Singapore?
The current IRAS rate table shows 60% for foreigners buying any residential property on or after 27 April 2023, unless a remission or different treatment applies.
Which foreigners may get Singapore Citizen stamp duty treatment?
IRAS lists nationals and permanent residents of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, and nationals of the United States of America, under the FTA remission page.
Does joint buying affect ABSD?
Yes. IRAS states that for purchases by buyers of different profiles, the highest applicable ABSD rate can apply to the entire property value.
Can I rely only on a calculator for ABSD?
No. Use the calculator for planning, then confirm buyer profile, remission and timing with your lawyer and IRAS.
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