Can Foreigners Buy Property in Malaysia?

In general terms, foreigners are permitted to own property in Malaysia, subject to conditions. The two most important are a minimum purchase price set by each state, and state authority consent for the transfer.

Because the minimum price is set at state level, the figure that applies in Kuala Lumpur is not necessarily the figure that applies in Selangor, Penang or Johor. Certain property categories — for example Malay reserve land, low and medium-cost housing, and some Bumiputera-allocated units — are generally not available to foreign buyers.

The purchase process itself follows the normal Malaysian conveyancing route: booking, sale and purchase agreement, consent application where required, stamp duty and memorandum of transfer.

Rules change. Treat this page as an orientation, not as legal advice, and confirm the current position with the relevant state authority, your appointed lawyer and your bank before signing anything.