Costs of Buying Johor Property as a Foreigner or Singaporean (2026 Checklist)

A planning checklist of the main costs when a foreign or Singaporean buyer purchases property in Johor Bahru: stamp duty, legal fees, consent, financing and selling tax. Last verified 1 October 2026.

Short answer: Budget for more than the purchase price. For foreign buyers, the biggest extra cost is stamp duty on the transfer, reported as a flat 8% on residential property from 1 January 2026. Since 1 July 2025 Johor has also charged foreign buyers a state levy, reported as 6% for purchases of RM 1 million and above and a minimum of RM 50,000 for serviced apartments below RM 1 million. Legal fees, loan documents and the consent application are on top, and quotes vary, so ask your lawyer for a written estimate.

Last verified: 1 October 2026. This is a planning guide, not legal or tax advice. Rates change, so confirm current figures with a Malaysian conveyancing lawyer.

The cost checklist

Deposit and balance of the purchase price. Foreign buyers are commonly quoted about 70% bank financing, which means a deposit of about 30%. Each bank decides case by case.
Stamp duty on the transfer (memorandum of transfer). Reported as a flat 8% on residential property for non-citizens from 1 January 2026, up from 4%. Citizens pay lower tiered rates.
Sale and Purchase Agreement legal fees. Charged by your lawyer, so request a written quote.
Loan agreement legal fees and loan stamp duty, if you borrow from a Malaysian bank.
Johor state levy on foreign buyers. Reported as 6% of the price for purchases of RM 1 million and above, and a minimum of RM 50,000 for serviced apartments priced below RM 1 million, in force from 1 July 2025. Projects already approved before that date may be treated differently, so ask the developer or your lawyer which rule applies.
State Authority consent application costs. These vary by state and project, and some sources quote a fee on top of the legal work. Ask your lawyer to list it separately.
Valuation and bank charges, where the bank requires them.
Renovation, furnishing and the first year of maintenance and sinking fund.
Currency exchange. Compare the full amount in ringgit, because the exchange rate and the timing of each payment change what you actually pay in Singapore dollars.

What if I sell later?

Real Property Gains Tax applies when you sell. For foreigners, reported rates are 30% on gains if you sell within five years of buying and 10% after that. Citizens pay less in the early years and nothing after year five, so foreigners should plan their holding period.

Worked example: how to plan, not a quote

Take an illustrative purchase of RM 1,000,000.

Item	How to estimate it
Deposit at about 30%	RM 300,000
Transfer stamp duty at 8%	RM 80,000
Johor state levy at 6% (reported)	RM 60,000
Legal, loan and consent costs	Get a written quote from your lawyer
Renovation and first-year costs	Your own estimate

The first three lines are arithmetic on the figures reported above. Use them only to plan, and replace them with your lawyer’s quote.

Frequently asked questions

How much stamp duty does a foreigner pay in Johor?

A flat 8% on the transfer of residential property from 1 January 2026, according to 2026 reporting. Confirm the current rate with your lawyer before you sign.

How much deposit do foreign buyers need?

Banks commonly lend foreign buyers up to about 70%, so a deposit of about 30% plus the costs above. MM2H holders are reported to qualify for higher financing in some cases.

Can Singaporeans get a Malaysian loan?

Usually yes, at a lower margin than citizens. Ask the bank whether the loan is in ringgit and how they assess income earned in Singapore dollars.

Is the developer’s rebate or discount included in these costs?

No. Rebates and promotions vary by project and buyer category. Ask the sales team for the net price in writing and have your lawyer check it against the Sale and Purchase Agreement.