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Global Properties helps foreigners buy villas in the Dominican Republic under favourable conditions and in the shortest possible time. Use the advanced filters to find over 63 listings for real estate in the Dominican Republic that matches your preferences by specifying desired price ranges, square footage, number of rooms, availability of finishes, furniture, amenities, construction stages and location.
You can sort the search results by ascending or descending price, novelty, size and other parameters. Carefully review the details of the property you're interested in and contact the seller directly via phone or through private messages. The contact information for the agency or developer will be provided in the listing.
- Minimum cost of villa in Dominican Republic: USD 68000
- Maximum cost: USD 224.7 million
- Minimum area of a villa in the Dominican Republic: 35 m²
- Maximum size: 5,945 m²
Purchasing villas or apartments in the Dominican Republic qualifies you for an automatic residence permit if the investment is made from foreign resources. The General Immigration Law and the Foreign Investment Law stipulate that real estate buyers in the republic can obtain a one-year visa, which can be extended for four years.
As part of the programme, residents have the right to apply for citizenship by naturalisation after two years of continuous residence in the country, provided that all investment requirements are still met. Applicants must be proficient in Spanish and possess a sufficient understanding of the country’s values and traditions.
To extend the visa and/or apply for citizenship, foreigners must demonstrate that at least USD 2,000 of passive income per month has been transferred to a local bank. An additional amount of USD 250 is required for each dependent participating in the program alongside the main applicant.
Houses for sale in the Dominican Republic
There are no restrictions for foreigners owning apartments or villas for sale in the Dominican Republic under local legislation. Both residents and non-residents enjoy the same rights and obligations in this regard.
Once the buyer has reviewed all the characteristics of the chosen property, including size, condition and house prices in the Dominican Republic, they can proceed with the transaction process, which includes the following steps:
- Hiring a Lawyer: The first step is to select a lawyer specialising in real estate transactions. Given the country’s history of fraud by realtors, professional support is essential. A basic knowledge of Spanish is also beneficial, as agencies typically charge higher commissions for services provided in English;
- Paying a Deposit: To reserve the property and take it off the market, a deposit of 10% of the price of a house for sale in the Dominican Republic is required;
- Comprehensive Property Inspection: The lawyer should verify the authenticity of ownership documents, ensure there are no encumbrances (such as arrests, mortgages or restrictions) and check for any outstanding debts (including taxes and utility payments). They should also investigate the history of any legal disputes related to the property and examine the technical documentation confirming construction permits. Additionally, inspectors and surveyors should assess the condition of the property;
- Paying the Remaining Amount and Signing the Purchase Agreement: Payments are typically made by transferring funds to the lawyer's escrow or trust account. The lawyer will then transfer the payment to the seller's account before finalising the deal;
- Registering Ownership: After the transfer, the lawyer will submit the necessary documents to the property registration office to establish the new ownership. This process can take between 47 to 52 days.
The buyer should be prepared for additional costs associated with the transaction:
- Property Transfer Tax: As per Law No. 288-04, the property transfer tax is 3% of the villa's price and must be paid to the Tax Authority (Direccion General de Impuestos);
- Notary Fees: These fees typically range from 0.25% to 1% of the property’s price;
- Legal Fees: Legal fees are generally about 1% of the property's price;
- Agent Commission: This usually falls between 2% to 3% of the property's price.
Reasons for investing in a house in the Dominican Republic
In May 2024, the average cost of a house in the Dominican Republic rose by 5% compared to the same period last year, reaching USD 1.56 million. Following a sharp decline at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, housing market activity has rebounded to previous levels, driven by the growing tourism industry, the construction of luxury international hotels and robust economic characteristics.
In addition to its reputation as a "tax haven," long sandy beaches and pleasant climate, foreign buyers are attracted by several factors:
- Relatively low prices compared to other Caribbean countries;
- A 50% exemption from property tax and mortgage tax if lenders are institutions regulated by state financial legislation;
- Full exemption from tax on household and personal items.
Experts note that the increase in the number of foreign investors in real estate contributes to an average annual price increase of 10% following the global crisis. The volume of transactions involving luxury housing has surged since the country reopened for visits and economic activity returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Rising prices and increasing liquidity are attracting international buyers interested in long-term capital growth. Houses in the Dominican Republic for investment present promising opportunities for the rental business as well. The gross rental yield in the country reached 6.74% in the second quarter of 2024. In Santo Domingo, this figure ranges from 6.26% to 9.82%, while in Punta Cana, it varies from 3.87% to 7.92%.
The growing tourism sector fuels high demand for short-term rental properties, as most vacationers seek villas with sea views and easy beach access.
In 2023, the number of tourists arriving by plane reached nearly 8.1 million, marking a 12.5% increase compared to the previous year. This is the highest figure in the country’s history. Similarly, the number of arriving cruise ships rose by 70.4% year-over-year, reaching a new record of 2.3 million people.
In 2024, the tourism sector is set to continue its active growth. In the first four months, the number of flights increased by 10.2% compared to the same period last year, with the number of visitors exceeding 3 million. Additionally, cruise ship arrivals rose by 12.8%, welcoming 1.1 million guests.
Buying a house in the Dominican Republic
Global Properties is an aggregator with a vast database of residential and commercial properties, as well as land plots in various locations worldwide. The platform is updated daily with new listings from reputable agencies and developers. All incoming information is manually verified, ensuring users have access to only up-to-date listings with accurate data.
The site is equipped with tools that simplify the property selection process. Buyers have access to advanced filters, a listing ranking function, an interactive map and a currency converter. Discover your ideal villa for sale in the Dominican Republic and experience the convenience of our portal today.