Buying Property in Malaysia as a Foreigner: Guides

Foreigners can buy property in Malaysia, but the rules are not the same everywhere and they are stricter than those for citizens. The guides in this section explain what a foreign buyer can purchase, what it costs and what approvals are needed, as well as how the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme fits in.

The most important point is that land matters are largely decided by each state. Every state sets its own minimum purchase price for foreign buyers, and some add further conditions on property type or location. Certain categories are generally closed to foreigners, such as low-cost housing, Bumiputera lots and properties on Malay reserve land. Most purchases also need state authority consent before the transfer can be registered, which adds time to a transaction. Our state-by-state guide sets out the thresholds as published and explains where to check the current figures before you commit.

Landed property is a common question. Whether a foreigner can buy a terrace, semi-detached or bungalow depends on the state and on the price, and our landed-property guides go through the rules and the practical steps. Costs are the next consideration: foreign buyers pay stamp duty on the transfer under different rules from citizens, and our stamp duty guide for foreigners explains the current position after recent budget changes. Financing is possible with some Malaysian banks, usually on stricter terms, and paying for the property from overseas has its own paperwork.

MM2H is a long-term visa programme rather than a property scheme, but it is linked to property in two ways: participants may be able to buy homes at particular thresholds, and some tiers of the programme require or recognise a property purchase. The programme has been revised several times, and Sarawak runs its own version. Our MM2H guides summarise the tiers, costs and property rules in force when each guide was last reviewed.

For those who are moving rather than investing, we also compare renting and buying as an expatriate and look at the Kuala Lumpur neighbourhoods expats most often choose, with notes on schools, transport and the type of housing available.

Foreign ownership rules can change at short notice, so every guide shows when it was published or last reviewed. Confirm the position with a Malaysian lawyer and the relevant state authority before you buy.