Buying an apartment in New Zealand in 2026
Most foreigners have been barred from buying existing homes since 2018. The exceptions are Australian and Singaporean citizens and investors with a home from $2.8m. Rules, taxes and where buying is easier.
In short
- Most foreigners cannot buy a home: the ban has applied since 2018, including to Russian citizens.
- Exceptions: Australian and Singaporean citizens and, from 2026, investor visa holders.
- An investor may buy one home from 5 million New Zealand dollars, about $2,800,000.
- Easier options: in Portugal and Japan foreigners buy without such restrictions.
In detail
Most foreigners cannot buy an apartment in New Zealand: since 2018 the foreign investment law has banned non-residents from buying existing homes. The exceptions are citizens of Australia and Singapore and, from 2026, investor visa holders, who are allowed one home from 5 million New Zealand dollars, about $2,800,000. What can be bought and how to check it is described on our property in New Zealand page; here is the short answer.
Who can buy a home in New Zealand
| Buyer | Can they buy a home |
|---|---|
| New Zealand citizens and residents | yes |
| Citizens of Australia and Singapore | yes |
| Investor visa holders, including the Active Investor programme | from 2026, one home from 5 million New Zealand dollars, ~$2,800,000, to buy or build, with consent from the foreign investment regulator |
| Other foreigners, including Russian citizens | no, the ban has applied since 2018 |
The exception for Australian and Singaporean citizens is set in those countries' free trade agreements with New Zealand, so the government cannot extend it to other countries by its own decision. Russian citizens are not covered.
Parliament passed the amendments in December 2025, and the general ban remains. Fewer than 1% of homes in the country meet the 5 million threshold, so the exception targets a very narrow group of buyers. A tourist or work visa holder cannot buy an apartment in Auckland however much money they have.
How to get the right to buy
There is one route - becoming a resident. Residence by investment comes through the Active Investor programme: an investment from 5 million New Zealand dollars over 3 years in the growth category. After that an investor may buy one home from the same threshold, and a cheaper apartment only once permanent status is obtained.
- Check the right to buy: citizenship, visa type and property type.
- Investor visa, if the goal is a home in the country.
- Application to the foreign investment regulator for the specific property.
- Property checks and the deal with a locally licensed lawyer.
Other visas - work, family, skilled - are listed on the New Zealand residence page linked in the cards below. They open up buying only once the holder becomes a resident and meets the conditions of the law.
What ownership costs: taxes
| Tax | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gain on selling a home within 2 years of purchase, other than your own home | on the 10.5-39% scale |
| Rental income | on the same scale; mortgage interest has again been fully deductible since 1 April 2025 |
| Inheritance tax and general capital gains tax | none |
| Local property rates | set by the municipal council |
Example calculation. For an investor visa holder the minimum home price is about $2,800,000, and the visa investment is the same again. The entry threshold is about $5,600,000 in all, not counting the lawyer and approvals. Rates are on the taxes in New Zealand page.
The $2.8m threshold is not the main risk, buying without the right to is
The law does not forbid those allowed to buy a home in New Zealand from doing it on their own. But mistakes cost more than taxes: a deposit on a home a foreigner cannot buy, a deal without the foreign investment regulator's consent, a visa that gives no right to buy, and tax on a sale within two years. We check the right to buy by citizenship and visa, prepare the application to the regulator, support the property checks and the deal and calculate taxes. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process.
The cost of support depends on the buyer's status and the property; our manager in the chat will calculate it.
Where a foreigner can buy more easily
If the goal is your own apartment abroad without resident status, New Zealand is not the best choice. In Portugal a foreigner buys without restrictions, though since May 2026 pays a 7.5% tax; in Japan on the same terms as citizens. Details in buying an apartment in Portugal and buying an apartment in Japan.
How we help
The law does not forbid those who are allowed to buy from doing it on their own. But mistakes cost more than taxes: a deposit on a home a foreigner cannot buy, a deal without the regulator's consent, a visa that gives no right to buy. Murblz specialists check your right to buy, prepare the application to the regulator, support the property checks and the deal, and calculate taxes on letting and sale. Our manager in the chat will calculate the cost of support.
Property in New Zealand
Checking the right to buy and approval from the foreign investment regulator.
Learn more →New Zealand residence
Investor and work visas after which buying becomes possible.
Learn more →Where to buy property abroad
Countries where a foreigner can buy more easily and cheaply.
Learn more →We will check whether you can buy a home. Tell us your citizenship, visa and budget. We will show whether buying in New Zealand is open to you and where buying is easier.
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy an apartment in New Zealand?
Can a Russian citizen buy an apartment in New Zealand?
Does buying property give residence in New Zealand?
Is there capital gains tax when selling a home in New Zealand?
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.
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