The Insider's Guide to Buying Property in the Dominican Republic
Welcome to the 7th Heaven Properties guide to buying property in the Dominican Republic , your essential companion for navigating the enchanting appeal of one of the leading destination in the Caribbean for international property buyers.
Famed for its endless beaches and lush mountains, the Dominican Republic boasts a vibrant property market for buyers seeking their dream home or a rewarding investment in paradise.
Discover the beauty of this breathtaking country, find out why property buyers are investing in real estate in the Dominican Republic and delve into the real estate market with a showcase of property listings and blog posts highlighting its unique charm and advantages.
From the ins and outs of buying property in the Dominican Republic to an essential overview of relevant taxes, this is your ultimate go-to resource.
Overview - The Dominican Republic Real Estate Market
With thousands of miles of Caribbean beaches, stunning mountains and 30,000 square miles of lush, tropical islands to explore, the Dominican Republic has firmly cemented its position as the Caribbean’s top tourism destination and largest economy.
Driven by a booming tourism sector, breathtaking beaches and very attractive property prices, demand for real estate in the Dominican Republic among overseas investors has surged in recent years and the second homes and vacation homes market has grown considerably in recent years.
Popular areas include Punta Cana and La Romana on the eastern and south-eastern coasts, Las Terrenas in Samana and Cabarete in Puerto Plata, where international buyers have snapped up thousands of beachfront condos for sale in the Dominican Republic.
Home buyers are drawn not only to the beaches but to the first-class facilities and a wide range of attractions, including high-quality hotels and resorts, championship golf courses, spas, shopping, and marinas.
The country also benefited from a robust economy, political stability and major investments in infrastructure. As a result, the Dominican Republic has the second-fastest growing economy in the Latin America and Caribbean region which grew by 5% in 2024 and is expected to continue to grow by 4% in 2025.
“Driven by a booming tourism sector, breathtaking beaches and very attractive property prices, demand for real estate in the Dominican Republic among overseas investors has surged in recent years”
Buying Process, Fees & Taxes
- Can foreigners buy property in the Dominican Republic?
Yes, foreigners can buy property in the Dominican Republic and the Government welcomes investment from overseas buyers. There are no restrictions on foreign buyers acquiring real estate in the country and foreign buyers enjoy the same rights as Dominican citizens. Title can be held in the name of an individual or corporation. Property purchases must be registered for administrative purposes with the Title Registry Office.
- Buying process
Buying property in the Dominican Republic is a relatively simple process, which typically involves the following steps:
- Begin your property search.
- Find your perfect property and make an offer.
- Upon signing a Purchase Agreement, you will be required to pay a 10% deposit which is held in escrow.
- A notary oversees the purchase process which typically takes 6-8 weeks to close.
- Pay all required taxes and fees.
- Fees & taxes
Transfer Tax
The Real Property Transfer Tax is assessed at a basic rate of 3% on any transfer of ownership.
Property Tax
Property Tax is typically calculated at a rate of 1% of the property’s assessed value above a certain threshold.
Latest Real Estate Listings in Dominican Republic
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Residency & Citizenship
- How long can a foreign citizen stay in the Dominican Republic?
Citizens of the USA, Canada, the UK, the EU, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mexico, many South American countries, Central America, Japan, Israel, and others can stay in the Dominican Republic for tourism purposes for up to 30 days. These citizens can pay to extend their visit up to 120 days by contacting the Dominican Republic Immigration Service.
- How do you become a resident of the Dominican Republic?
Temporary Residency
If you would like to live in the Dominican Republic you can apply to the Migration Department for a temporary residency permit which is valid for one year.
Permanent Residency
Individuals who have resided in the Dominican Republic for 5 years with temporary residency status can apply for permanent residency.
Residency by Investment
The Dominican Republic offers a fast-track Residency by Investment program that provides an accelerated pathway to both permanent residency and eventual citizenship.
Investment Requirements: The minimum investment is US$200,000. Qualifying investment options include:
- Capital contribution to a Dominican company (new or existing)
- Fixed-term bank deposits
- Stocks or securities
- Real estate (must be purchased through a registered Dominican company)
Special Investment Categories: Lower investment thresholds may apply for:
- Designated Investment Projects (DIPs) – high-priority projects that create jobs, generate foreign exchange, or transfer technology
- Companies established in Free Trade Zones
- Government-designated projects of national interest
The Process:
- Make qualifying investment according to Foreign Investment Act No. 16-95
- Register investment with Export and Investment Center of Dominican Republic (CEI RD)
- Receive immediate permanent residency valid for one year
- Renew residency permit annually for up to four additional years
Fast-Track Citizenship Option:
Although the Dominican Republic does not operate a Citizenship by Investment program per se, individuals who obtain residency by investment can then apply for Dominican citizenship after just six months of permanent residency, rather than the standard two-year requirement for other residents.
Other Residency Pathways
- Pensioner visa: US$1,500 monthly pension plus US$250 per dependent
- Rentista visa: US$2,000 monthly investment income for at least five years
Find out more: Residency in the Dominican Republic
- How do you become a citizen of the Dominican Republic?
Individuals who have resided in the Dominican Republic for 7 years (including 2 years as a permanent resident) and are fluent in Spanish can apply for citizenship by naturalization.
Individuals on the fast track program may be eligible to apply for citizenship by naturalization after 2 years as a permanent resident.
Mortgages in the Dominican Republic
Looking for financing to fund the purchase of property in the Dominican Republic?
Contrary to popular misconception, it is possible for foreign nationals looking to invest in Dominican Republic real estate to apply for a mortgage.
Our partner – a very well respected international financial organization – offers mortgages for qualifying non-residents buying, building or improving a second home in the Dominican Republic.
For more information, see our page on: Caribbean mortgages.
How to Get There
There are direct flights to the Dominican Republic from the USA, Canada, Europe, South America and other Caribbean islands.
There are several international airports in the country, including in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and La Romana.
Most international flights arrive at Punta Cana International Airport.
- Miami to Punta Cana 2h 30m
- Panama City to Punta Cana 2h 35m
- New York to Punta Cana 4h 00m
- Toronto to Punta Cana 4h 10m
- London Gatwick to Punta Cana 8h 25m
- Toronto to Puerto Plata 4h 10m
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