Rights of foreign buyers, costs and taxes, steps of the purchase and areas to look at: the essentials before buying in the Dominican Republic.
A foreigner can buy property in the Dominican Republic on terms close to those of a Dominican. The Constitution grants foreigners the same rights and duties as nationals, except for exceptions provided by law, and the public investment promotion agency, ProDominicana, points out that a foreign individual or company can acquire, rent out, develop and resell a property, subject to legal, tax and registration obligations.
The main cost to plan for on top of the price is the real estate transfer tax: 3% of the value of the property, paid to the tax authority (DGII). After that, the owner may have to pay each year the real estate wealth tax (IPI), at 1% on the part of their assets that exceeds a threshold set by the DGII.
The country attracts visitors with its tourism: 6,609,946 non-resident passengers arrived by air between January and August 2026, 8.6% more than a year earlier according to the Central Bank. This momentum guarantees nothing for any given property. This guide covers the areas to look at, the steps of the purchase, the costs and the precautions to take.
The Dominican market is not uniform. Each area suits a different project: main home, second home or a property intended for rental.
The capital offers an urban market, with year-round local demand. Piantini and Naco are the upscale neighbourhoods; Gazcue and the Zona Colonial offer better value for money; Costa Verde hosts a French-speaking community. As a benchmark, a furnished two-room apartment rents for 800 to 1,500 USD per month in Piantini or Naco, and for 400 to 700 USD in Gazcue or the Zona Colonial.
This is the country's leading tourist hub: Punta Cana airport welcomed 71.5% of non-resident foreign passengers arriving by air between January and August 2026, according to the Central Bank. The supply there is dominated by gated residences, where a two-room apartment rents for 800 to 1,500 USD per month.
Las Terrenas, on the Samaná peninsula, is a destination popular with French speakers; Cabarete and Sosúa, on the north coast, complete the seaside offering. Rents there generally range from 500 to 1,200 USD per month depending on the distance from the beach.
A more authentic city, less geared towards tourism, with rents starting from 300 USD per month for a simple property. A market to consider for a main home rather than for seasonal rental.
These rent levels give an idea of the rental demand in each area. They say nothing about the purchase price of a specific property: always compare several comparable properties before making an offer.
Property is registered under Law 108-05 on the Real Estate Registry, which governs the registration of rights over properties as well as of charges and mortgages. The title deed (certificado de título) is the central document of any transaction.
For the DGII: the transfer request form, the notarised sale deed in the original with two copies, a copy of the title and the identity documents of the buyer and the seller. A foreign buyer provides their passport and a second official identity document from their country. Since 1 May 2025, any transfer deed for an amount above 1,000,000 Dominican pesos must state the means of payment used.
The IPI applies each year, at a rate of 1%, to the part of an individual's real estate assets that exceeds an indexed threshold set by the DGII. For a property held through a trust (fideicomiso), the 1% rate applies to the full value. If you rent out the property, the rents are taxed: find out about your tax situation before buying.
ProDominicana mentions several possible arrangements: direct purchase, local company, registered foreign structure, trust or partnership with a developer. The right choice depends on your project and your tax situation in your country of residence: get advice on both sides.
Many buyers benefit from renting for a few months before buying. The standard lease lasts 12 months, with a security deposit of one to two months' rent, and rents are generally set in US dollars. Allow an additional 100 to 150 USD per month for water, electricity and internet. It is the best way to get to know a neighbourhood, its seasons and its constraints before committing a significant sum.
Buying remotely in a country where procedures are carried out in Spanish requires having someone you trust on the ground. A Remoters English-speaking property hunter based in the Dominican Republic can search for properties that match your project, view them for you, gather the property's documents and prepare your file, in liaison with the independent lawyer you have chosen. The first conversation and the quote are free.
Short answers to the questions our readers ask, written to stand on their own.
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