Buying a home in the Dominican Republic as a foreigner
Who can buy, the steps from offer to title, and who you need on your side.
Can foreigners buy property?
Yes. Foreigners can buy and own property in the Dominican Republic in their own name, with the same rights as Dominicans. You do not need residency. A valid passport is enough to sign; some buyers use a Dominican company instead, which is worth discussing with a lawyer.
The usual steps
- Choose a home and agree on the price with the seller through the agent.
- Sign a reservation or offer, often with a deposit.
- Your own lawyer checks the title, debts and permits (due diligence).
- Sign a promise of sale (contrato de promesa de venta) with the payment schedule.
- Sign the final sale contract (contrato de venta) before a notary and pay the balance.
- Pay the 3% transfer tax at the tax office (DGII) and register the sale at the Registro de Títulos. You receive a new certificate of title in your name.
Who you need
A licensed real estate agent who knows the area, and an independent lawyer (abogado) who works for you, not for the seller or the developer. For payment from abroad, your bank and the lawyer agree on how and when money is transferred. Never pay large amounts in cash.
Prices in dollars and the exchange rate
Most asking prices for homes in the Dominican Republic are in US dollars; some are in Dominican pesos. You pay in the currency of the contract. Amounts that Casariba shows in another currency (euro, pound, Canadian dollar or peso) are only an indication at the exchange rate of that day. The rate changes daily, and your bank adds its own rate and transfer costs, so the amount you really pay in your own currency can be higher or lower. Agree with your bank and lawyer in time how and when you transfer the money.
How long does it take?
With a clean title, from offer to registration usually takes a few weeks to a few months. Most of the time goes into the legal checks and the registration at the Registro de Títulos.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and amounts can change; always have your own lawyer check your purchase. Most prices are in US dollars; amounts in other currencies are indicative and depend on the exchange rate on the day you pay.