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.
19 guidesLegal & Title
16 guidesBuying Process
11 guidesSelling Process
16 guidesTaxes & Fees
12 guidesFinancing & Mortgages
11 guidesProperty Types & New Construction
12 guidesMarkets & Regions
16 guidesInvestment & Rentals
11 guidesOwning & Maintaining
11 guidesThe Ownership Experience
Featured Guides
Markets & RegionsBeach vs City Real Estate in the Dominican Republic: Which Suits Your Goals?
Compare beachfront and Santo Domingo city property in the DR — lifestyle, rental yield, appreciation, and risk — to match your investment goals.
Investment & RentalsHow to Furnish an Airbnb in the Dominican Republic: Budget, Sourcing, and Must-Haves
A practical budget, sourcing map, and must-haves checklist for furnishing a short-term rental in the Dominican Republic — without over- or under-spending.
Financing & MortgagesCan Foreigners Refinance a Dominican Republic Mortgage? How It Works
Yes, foreigners can refinance a Dominican Republic mortgage. Here's how the process works, what it costs, and when the numbers actually make sense.
Taxes & FeesDo US Owners Pay Double Tax on Dominican Republic Property and Rental Income?
US owners rarely pay true double tax on DR property — but you must file in both countries and use the foreign tax credit correctly. Here's how it works.
Buying ProcessBuying Pre-Construction Property in the Dominican Republic: Payment Plans and Risks
A practical guide to buying off-plan property in the Dominican Republic: how payment plans work, when a fideicomiso protects your deposit, and the risks foreign buyers must manage.
Legal & TitleCan You Buy Beachfront Property in the Dominican Republic as a Foreigner?
Foreigners can buy titled beachfront property in the Dominican Republic on equal footing with citizens — but the 60-meter public maritime zone and title due diligence are non-negotiable.
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.