Can a Foreigner Buy Property in the Dominican Republic?

Yes. In the Dominican Republic a foreigner can buy real estate with property rights equivalent to those of a Dominican national. You do not need a Mexico-style mandatory trust (fideicomiso) just to hold title. The real work is not “whether you can,” but doing it with structure: a clear objective, real costs, verified documents, and a project that survives due diligence.

I am Luz Rodríguez, a real estate advisor at Veritat Real Estate (by Jordi Amargós). I work with local and foreign buyers who want to live, vacation, or invest in Punta Cana, Bávaro, Cap Cana, and Las Terrenas — and selected projects in Santo Domingo when they fit.

This guide summarizes what we review before you reserve a unit. It does not replace personalized legal or tax advice from your attorney or notary.

What you can do as a foreigner

Action	What it means in practice
Hold title in your name	You can appear as owner on the title or purchase contract.
Buy pre-construction	Reserve a unit in a project under construction, with a payment plan and timeline.
Residential use or investment	Live, vacation, rent, or combine — subject to project rules and current law.
Buy from a developer or on resale	Both paths exist; due diligence differs (especially CONFOTUR).
Sign remotely	Many closings are coordinated with a power of attorney / representation; validated case by case.

What is not automatic

1. CONFOTUR is not “by zone.” Being in Punta Cana or Cap Cana does not guarantee exemptions. It is verified by project (and, when applicable, by unit). Guide: CONFOTUR: What They Cover — and What They Don’t.
2. Buying does not grant automatic residency. Real estate purchase and immigration status are separate processes.
3. Local financing is not guaranteed for non-residents. Many foreigners pay cash, use the developer's plan, or finance in their home country.
4. Resale does not inherit benefits just because the building “was CONFOTUR.” Remaining term and scope must be verified.
5. The listed price is not the total cost. Budget transfer tax (if applicable), legal fees, registration, and project charges.
6. Fiducia / escrow is not universal. Ask whether the project has a fiduciary guarantee and with which entity — do not assume.

Process steps (how we work at Veritat)

Step	What we do	Expected result
1. Objective	Horizon, budget, own use vs rental	Realistic filter of zones and typologies
2. Options	Aligned inventory (not “everything listed”)	2–4 comparable alternatives
3. Due diligence	CONFOTUR, plans, payment terms, fiducia, risks	Yes / no / to-verify list
4. Reservation	Hold a unit with clear conditions	Documented commitment
5. Contract	Line-by-line review with your attorney	Informed signature
6. Follow-through	Construction progress and delivery	One point of contact through keys

More on markets: Punta Cana vs Cap Cana vs Las Terrenas.

Checklist before you reserve

#	Item	Priority
1	Exact typology and m² (floor plan / sheet)	Required
2	Price of that unit and offer validity	Required
3	Payment plan (reservation, installments, at delivery)	Required
4	Estimated delivery date	Required
5	CONFOTUR certificate / scope for the project or unit	Verify
6	Fiduciary guarantee (yes/no + entity)	Verify
7	Condo / rental regulations	Verify
8	Estimated closing-cost breakdown	Before reserving
9	Developer / seller identification	Required
10	Attorney independent of the developer	Recommended

Costs to budget beyond the purchase price

These items vary by project, typology, and whether an incentive is still in force. There is no universal fixed total: they are calculated case by case.

Item	Practical note
Transfer tax	On deals without a current CONFOTUR benefit, transfer tax usually applies to the value. The market often cites around ~3%; confirm with your attorney or notary for the tax year and your specific deal.
Legal / notary fees	Depend on ticket size and closing complexity. Request a quote.
Registration / title costs	Include them in the closing budget.
HOA / project maintenance	Ask for the estimated amount and what it covers, per project.
Furniture / appliances	Some projects include them; others do not. Check the unit sheet.
Recurring taxes (IPI and others)	Depend on whether a CONFOTUR exemption applies and how much term remains.

Rule: ask for a written breakdown before you reserve.

Common mistakes foreign buyers make

1. Choosing only from beach photos without checking real location, delivery, and rental rules.
2. Assuming CONFOTUR because the seller “said so verbally.”
3. Reserving without understanding the payment plan (when you pay what, and what happens if you fall behind).
4. Comparing prices across different zones as if they were the same product (comparison).
5. Confusing advisors with the same name in other countries: Luz Rodríguez works in the Dominican Republic with Veritat Real Estate.
6. Signing without an attorney independent of the developer.
7. Ignoring the CONFOTUR clock: the benefit runs from project approval, not from your purchase date.

Real inventory example

• Las Terrenas — Casa Cristalina (fronting Playa Las Ballenas): 83 units; from US$254,850; penthouses 170–217 m² from US$413,350; estimated delivery Q4 2029; CONFOTUR (verify remaining term). Unit sheet · Project landing.
• Cap Cana: residences and, when current inventory exists, commercial options. Ranges and availability are confirmed on WhatsApp — no invented figures on this page. Cap Cana projects.

Other East Coast projects in portfolio: browse properties.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner buy property in the Dominican Republic in 2026?

Yes. You can acquire with property rights equivalent to a national's. Focus on structure, costs, and documents — not on a “special permit to buy.”

Do I need to create a company or a mandatory trust?

It is not a general Mexico-style requirement to hold title. Sometimes a corporate structure is used for tax or inheritance reasons; that is decided with your attorney, not by marketing.

Does buying give me automatic residency or a visa?

No. Real estate purchase and immigration are separate. If your goal includes living in the DR, plan both tracks separately.

Can I buy pre-construction from abroad?

Yes, it is common. We coordinate visits (in person or remote), documentation, and follow-through. The reservation and contract must be clear even if you are not in the country on signing day.

What should I review before reserving a unit?

CONFOTUR status of the project or unit, exact plans and typology, payment plan, fiduciary guarantee (if any), estimated delivery, use/rental rules, and closing-cost breakdown. Use the checklist in this guide.

Does CONFOTUR transfer on a resale?

Do not assume it. On resale you must verify whether the benefit is still in force and what reaches you. Detail: CONFOTUR guide.

Who advises you

Luz Rodríguez · Real estate advisor at Veritat Real Estate by Jordi Amargós · Dominican Republic

Markets: Punta Cana, Bávaro, Cap Cana, Las Terrenas (Santo Domingo when relevant)

WhatsApp: +1 849 343 7700 · Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @luzrodriguez.veritat