Investment property: Macau

Updated 5 October 2026

Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China and one of the densest and most expensive housing markets in the world.

Its economy rests on gaming and tourism, so the market is cyclical and depends on visitor flows from mainland China. The pataca is pegged to the Hong Kong dollar and through it to the US dollar, which makes prices easy to read for a foreign buyer. Supply is limited by a tiny territory, and liquidity is concentrated in a few areas of the peninsula, Taipa and Cotai.

What changed for foreigners in 2024

From 2010 the government restrained the market with extra duties, and in 2024 it abolished almost all of them. From 1 January 2024 there is no duty on buying a second home, and in April 2024 the additional 10% duty for non-resident buyers, the duty on a third home and the tax on resale within two years were removed. A foreigner now pays the same duties as a Macau resident and can get a mortgage of up to 70% of the value.

Stamp duty on purchase

The duty is calculated on the tax assessment or the contract price, whichever is higher, and paid before title registration. Dollar amounts use the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026 via the Hong Kong dollar, about MOP 8.08 per dollar, rounded up.

Land and title

Almost all land in Macau belongs to the state and is granted by concession, so an apartment buyer acquires a unit in a building on state land. Before the deal we check the Property Registry entry, the term and conditions of the concession, building management arrears, the seller's mortgage and the occupation permit. For new builds we also check that the developer is selling with the authorities' permission.

How a purchase works

• Checking the property at the Property Registry and the tax office.
• A promissory contract and deposit, usually 5-10%.
• Paying stamp duty at the Financial Services Bureau.
• The final deed before a notary and title registration.
• For a mortgage, the bank's valuation and a check of the buyer's foreign income.

Taxes when owning and letting

• If the apartment is let, property tax is 10% of the rent.
• If it is not let, tax is based on a notional rental value, and Macau residents get a deduction.
• Resale no longer carries a special tax, apart from the general stamp duty paid by the buyer.

Common buyer mistakes

• Paying a deposit without a registry check, then finding the seller's mortgage or building management arrears.
• Budgeting duty on the contract price when the tax assessment is higher.
• Buying in a new development without checking the developer's permission to sell.
• Expecting residence after the purchase, although no such programme has existed since 2007.

Residence and property

Macau's residence programme for buying a home closed in 2007, and today a purchase gives no status. Other routes exist: talent programmes and residence for major business investment. If your goal is residence, we will say so at once and suggest countries where property and residence are genuinely linked.

What we do

We start with the goal: preserving capital, rental income or a home for yourself. We choose the area and property, check the registry, concession and seller, calculate stamp duty and taxes before the deposit, help with a mortgage, handle the deal with locally licensed partners and the title registration, and then letting and taxes.

What we do

• Property shortlist for your investment goal
• Legal due diligence on the property
• End-to-end transaction support
• Ownership structuring (company, trust)
• Property management and letting

See also

Company formation · Business account · Personal account

FAQ