Real Estate in the Dominican Republic
A practical guide to buying, owning, and selling real estate in the Dominican Republic — title and the legal process, taxes and financing, regional markets, investment, and ownership.
1 guideLegal & Title
1 guideBuying Process
Selling Process
Taxes & Fees
Financing & Mortgages
Property Types & New Construction
Markets & Regions
Investment & Rentals
Owning & Maintaining
The Ownership Experience
Featured Guides
Legal & TitleWhat Is a Certificado de Título in the Dominican Republic? A 2026 Buyer's Guide
The Certificado de Título is the state-backed proof of property ownership in the Dominican Republic. Here's what it is, how to verify it, and the red flags to avoid before you buy.
Buying ProcessStep by Step: How to Close on a Property in the Dominican Republic (2026 Guide)
A practical 2026 walkthrough of the Dominican property closing process — from offer to title transfer — written for foreign buyers who want to avoid costly surprises.
About Real Estate
Understanding real estate in the Dominican Republic — before you buy. Whether you're purchasing a vacation condo in Punta Cana, an investment rental, or a home to retire in, this is your practical guide to how Dominican property actually works: the legal and title system, the buying and selling process, taxes and financing, regional markets, and the realities of owning and maintaining property in the Caribbean.
Foreigners can buy property in the Dominican Republic with the same rights as Dominican nationals, but the process — the Certificado de Título, the deslinde survey, the 3% transfer tax, and CONFOTUR incentives — differs from back home. The guides below walk through each step. This is editorial guidance, not a property-listings marketplace or legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners buy property in the Dominican Republic?
Yes. Foreigners have the same property-ownership rights as Dominican citizens under the constitution — no residency or special permit is required. The only real coastal restriction is the 60-meter public maritime zone, which applies to everyone. See Legal & Title.
How do I buy a house or property in the Dominican Republic?
At a high level: sign a promise of sale, complete title due diligence (verify the Certificado de Título and any liens), pay the 3% transfer tax, and register the title at the Registro de Títulos. Always use your own independent Dominican attorney — not the seller's. See our Buying Process guides.
What taxes and fees apply when buying property in the DR?
Buyers pay a 3% transfer tax — calculated on the higher of the purchase price or the DGII's appraisal — plus closing costs; owners pay an annual IPI property tax on value above an indexed threshold. Verify current figures with the DGII. See Taxes & Fees.
What is CONFOTUR and does it save money?
CONFOTUR (Law 158-01) grants tax exemptions to certified tourism-zone projects and is open to foreign buyers — but the transfer-tax exemption typically applies only to the first buyer. See Investment & Rentals.
Can foreigners get a mortgage in the Dominican Republic?
Yes — some Dominican banks lend to foreigners, usually with a larger down payment than for residents, and many buyers pay cash. See Financing & Mortgages.
Where is the best place to buy real estate in the Dominican Republic?
It depends on your goal — Punta Cana and Las Terrenas for vacation and rental properties, Santiago and Santo Domingo for city living and value. Markets differ significantly. See Markets & Regions.