Can a foreigner buy an apartment in India in 2026
A foreigner living outside India cannot legally buy a home: only one who lives in the country more than 182 days a year can. Prices by city, 3-8% stamp duty, taxes and common mistakes.
In short
- Who can buy: a foreigner living in India more than 182 days a year, as well as non-resident Indians and Overseas Citizen of India cardholders.
- A foreigner living abroad cannot buy, except by inheritance or a lease of up to 5 years.
- Prices: about $1,700 per m2 in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, about $1,100 in Bengaluru.
- Costs: 3-8% stamp duty at the state rate and about 1% registration.
- No residence is granted for buying.
In detail
India is one of the few large markets where a foreigner's right to buy a home depends not on citizenship but on where they live. Under the foreign exchange law, a foreigner living outside India cannot buy a flat: only inheritance and a lease of up to 5 years are open to them. A foreigner who lives in India for more than 182 days a year can buy. A detailed look at the rules and transaction support is on the page property in India; here are short answers to the main questions.
Who can buy an apartment in India
| Buyer | Housing and commercial property | Farmland and farmhouses |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident Indian or Overseas Citizen of India cardholder | yes, with no limit on the number of properties | no |
| Foreigner living in India more than 182 days | yes | no |
| Foreigner living abroad | no, except inheritance and a lease of up to 5 years | no |
| Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and several other neighbouring countries | only with Reserve Bank of India approval | no |
For Russian citizens this means something simple: a flat in India becomes possible after moving on an employment, business or family visa, once you live in the country for more than half a year.
How much an apartment in India costs in 2026
In the first quarter of 2026 the average housing price in the eight largest cities rose above $1,100 per square metre for the first time, reaching about $1,200. Mumbai is the most expensive, with prices up 20% over the year.
| City | Average per m2 |
|---|---|
| Mumbai Metropolitan Region | ~$1,700 |
| Prime Mumbai districts | $4,500-14,000 |
| Bengaluru | ~$1,100 |
| Hyderabad | ~$890 |
| Eight largest cities on average | ~$1,200 |
Indian prices are quoted per square foot, so a listing looks ten times more modest than the per-metre figure. That is the first thing foreign buyers trip over.
How to pay and what the paperwork costs
- Only through a bank - by transfer from abroad or from a non-resident account in India. Cash is not allowed, and a correct payment also matters for taking money out after a sale.
- Stamp duty - 3% to 8% of the value, at a rate set by the state.
- Registration fee - usually about 1%.
- Goods and services tax on homes under construction at a reduced rate; none on completed homes with an occupancy certificate.
A mistake in the buyer's status makes the deal unlawful
The law does not stop eligible buyers from purchasing a flat in India on their own. But mistakes cost more than the stamp duty: a purchase by a foreigner living abroad, payment in cash or from a third party's account, a new build not registered with the state regulator, farmland passed off as a house. We check whether your status lets you buy a home, find a property, check the project and the seller's 30-year document chain, arrange payment through a bank and handle registration. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first application.
The cost of support depends on the state, the property and your status in India; our manager in the chat will calculate it.
How to check a flat before buying
- Project registration with the state real estate regulator - mandatory for new builds.
- The seller's title and a 30-year document chain, with no liens or disputes.
- Building permit and occupancy certificate.
- Debts for property tax and housing society charges.
Taxes on renting and selling
A non-resident's rent goes to an account for Indian income, and the tenant withholds about 30% tax plus surcharges. On sale, the gain after two years of ownership is taxed at 12.5% without indexation, and at the general scale for a shorter holding. Proceeds from selling up to two residential properties can be taken abroad subject to the rules. More on the page taxes in India.
Does buying give residence
No. A flat solves housing, not the right to live in India. That needs a work, business or family visa; more in the overview India: all programmes.
Common mistakes
- A purchase by a foreigner living abroad - the deal breaches the foreign exchange law.
- Farmland or a farmhouse - non-residents and foreigners may not buy them.
- A new build without registration with the real estate regulator.
- Paying in cash or from a third party's account.
How we help
The law does not stop you from filing on your own. But mistakes in the right to buy and in payment cost more than the stamp duty. We check whether your status allows you to buy, find a property, check the project and the seller's documents, arrange payment through a bank and handle registration.
Property in India
Checking the right to buy, the property and the seller, transaction support.
Learn more →Account in India
A non-resident account to pay for the flat and receive rent.
Learn more →New Delhi
A guide to the capital: districts, prices and city life.
Learn more →FAQ
Can a foreigner buy an apartment in India?
Can a Russian citizen buy an apartment in India?
How much does an apartment in India cost in 2026?
What taxes apply when buying an apartment in India?
Does buying an apartment give residence in India?
Can you take money out after selling a flat in India?
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
Free consultation