Short answer: Yes. Foreigners, including Singaporeans, can buy property in Johor, but every purchase needs State Authority consent and most projects have a minimum price. For new condominium and serviced-apartment units, the figure most often quoted is RM 1 million. Since 1 July 2025, Johor has also charged foreign buyers a state levy, 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. Rules differ by project and can change, so confirm in writing before paying any booking fee.

Last verified: 1 October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the current rules with a Malaysian conveyancing lawyer.

Any purchase by a non-citizen needs prior consent from the state government, under the National Land Code. Your lawyer applies for it after the Sale and Purchase Agreement is signed, and your payment is normally held in the lawyer’s trust account until consent is granted.

Reported timelines vary. Most sources say one to three months, and some say it can take up to about six months depending on the state and the project.

What is the minimum price for foreign buyers in Johor?

Property price floors for foreign buyers are set by each state, not nationally. The Malaysian housing minister said so in Parliament in November 2025.

For Johor, the commonly quoted floors are:

Some developers obtain special approval to sell units below RM 1 million to foreign buyers. For serviced apartments below RM 1 million, NST reported in April 2026 that Johor charges a minimum levy of RM 50,000, and that foreign owners of these units can reportedly resell only to Malaysian buyers, which can limit your exit. Designated zones such as Medini are reported to have no minimum price. Being inside the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone does not by itself remove the minimum price, according to agent and law-firm commentary. Ask the developer for the project’s foreign-buyer approval in writing.

What can foreigners not buy?

Foreign buyers are generally not allowed to buy:

What are the main costs?

See our guide to buying costs for foreign buyers for a planning checklist.

Can foreigners get a Malaysian home loan?

Usually yes, but at a lower margin than citizens. A figure of about 70% financing, meaning a 30% deposit, is commonly quoted for foreign buyers, and each bank decides case by case.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Singaporean buy a RM 500,000 condo in Johor Bahru?

Only if that project has special approval to sell to foreign buyers below RM 1 million. In that case, serviced apartments below RM 1 million carry a minimum state levy of RM 50,000, and resale is reported to be limited to Malaysian buyers. Ask for the approval in writing and have your lawyer explain the resale limits before you pay a booking fee.

Does buying in the Johor-Singapore SEZ remove the minimum price?

Reports say it does not do so automatically. The SEZ incentives announced so far are mainly tax incentives for qualifying companies, not for home buyers.

Typically one to three months, and sometimes longer. Your lawyer will track it.

No. Payments are normally held in the lawyer’s trust account until consent is granted, according to published guides. Check this in your Sale and Purchase Agreement.

Sources

Want to know which JOHOME projects are open to Singaporean buyers? WhatsApp us and we will confirm project by project.