Investment property: Malaysia
Malaysia: we match a property to your budget and goal, check the paperwork and close the purchase for you.
| In short | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Can a foreigner buy | yes, with state consent and not below the state threshold |
| Threshold for foreigners | Kuala Lumpur from $250,000, Selangor from $490,000 |
| Average home price | Kuala Lumpur ~$210,000, national ~$130,000 |
| Stamp duty | 8% for foreigners since 1 January 2026 |
| Tax on sale | 30% in the first 5 years, then 10% |
| Residence | second home visa: deposit from $150,000 plus a home |
Malaysia is one of the few markets in Southeast Asia where a foreigner can hold property in their own name, including freehold title. Foreign buyers face minimum price thresholds - around RM 1 million in most states, with the exact bar depending on the state and property type. The main markets are Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor next to Singapore. Long-term status comes through the MM2H program (Malaysia My Second Home), and its current rules include a property purchase requirement - but the program's terms have changed repeatedly in recent years, so they must be verified as of your transaction date, not from old articles online.
We start with your objective: rental income, personal use, MM2H status or all of the above - that determines the state, the property and the purchase structure. We verify legal title and the developer, account for state-specific restrictions on foreign buyers, support the transaction with our locally licensed partners and help structure ownership. If your goal is to pair the property with MM2H, we align the purchase with the program's requirements as they stand today, so the property actually counts toward your status rather than just sitting in your portfolio.
Foreign buyer taxes in Malaysia in 2026
| Payment | Foreigner | Citizen |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp duty on a home purchase | 8% from 1 January 2026, previously 4% | 1-4% on a scale |
| Gains tax on a sale within 5 years | 30% | 30% down to 15% by year |
| Gains tax from year 6 | 10% | 0% |
| Inheritance tax | none | none |
The owner pays a local property tax every year, based on the annual assessed value at a rate set by the municipal council. Some projects approved by the investment agency keep exemptions from the 8% rate.
What a foreigner may buy
- A purchase needs state consent, and each state sets its own minimum price for foreigners.
- Long-term residence program participants can buy homes from MYR 1 million, about $244,700.
- Malay reserve land and quotas for indigenous buyers are closed to foreigners.
- Freehold and 99-year leasehold differ: this affects resale value and mortgages.
More on taxes on our Malaysia taxes page.
Property and long-term residence
The long-term residence program gives a 5-year visa with renewal; a spouse and children under 21 can be included, and participants can buy homes from MYR 1 million. Malaysia taxes foreign income only when it is brought into the country, so for many people moving with a home purchase is tax-neutral.
What we do
- We check the minimum price for foreigners in the chosen state and the type of land tenure.
- We obtain state consent.
- We calculate the 8% stamp duty and the tax on a future sale.
- We prepare the long-term residence program documents.
Can a Russian citizen buy property in Malaysia
Yes, on the same terms as other foreigners: with state consent and not below the minimum price the state sets for foreigners. Russian citizens need no visa to view apartments: they can stay in Malaysia for up to 30 days without one. There are no nationality-specific restrictions, but Malaysian banks check the source of funds thoroughly, so the purchase transfer is best prepared in advance with statements and proof of funds.
Minimum price for foreigners by state
| State | Minimum price for foreigners |
|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | from $250,000 |
| Selangor | from $490,000 |
| Penang island | apartment from $250,000, house from $740,000 |
| Johor | from $250,000, from $150,000 in certain zones |
According to the National Property Information Centre, the average home price in Kuala Lumpur in the second quarter of 2026 was about $210,000, up 2.7% over the year, and about $130,000 nationwide. The capital's average is below the foreigner threshold, so only the upper segment of the market is open to foreigners. The serviced apartment market is oversupplied: more than 19,000 completed units remain unsold, so bargaining is appropriate.
We will calculate online the full purchase cost for your budget: taxes, fees and transaction costs.
Purchase costs
| Item | How much | On a $250,000 apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp duty on transfer | 8% for foreigners since 1 January 2026 | ~$20,000 |
| State consent | a separate fee, fixed or a percentage of the price | at the state tariff |
| Stamp duty on a mortgage | 0.5% of the loan | if you borrow |
| Contract and registration | on the set scale | at the tariff |
The main risk is paying a deposit before the state consents: if the apartment is below the threshold, sits on Malay reserve land or falls within the indigenous quota, the deal will not be approved.
8% stamp duty and the state threshold - we calculate before the deposit
In Malaysia a foreigner loses money when the deposit is paid and the state refuses consent: the apartment is below the threshold, the plot is Malay reserve land or in the indigenous quota. The second common mistake is a budget without the 8% stamp duty and the gains tax on sale. Murblz specialists check the state threshold, land tenure and developer, obtain state consent, support the agreement and registration, and if you need the second home visa, structure the purchase to its conditions.
The cost of support depends on the state and the property; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
Owner taxes: letting and sale
- Every year the owner pays quit rent to the state and an assessment tax based on the annual rental value.
- Letting. A foreigner not living in Malaysia pays 30% on rental income.
- Sale. Real property gains tax for a foreigner is 30% on a sale within the first 5 years and 10% from the sixth year; it never drops to zero as it does for citizens.
If you relocate and become a Malaysian tax resident, foreign income remitted by individuals is exempt until the end of 2036 under the exemption's conditions. More on the taxes in Malaysia page.
Does a purchase give Malaysian residence
Not on its own. Residence comes through the second home programme, whose conditions include buying a home together with a deposit in a Malaysian bank:
| Tier | Deposit | Home | Visa term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | $150,000 | from $146,900 | 5 years |
| Gold | $500,000 | from $250,000 | 15 years |
| Platinum | $1,000,000 | from $490,000 | 20 years |
Special economic zones offer a lighter version with no compulsory home purchase. More in our article on retiree residence in Malaysia.
How to buy property in Malaysia remotely
- Checks of the state threshold, land tenure and developer - from documents, before the deposit.
- Booking and sale agreement are signed by power of attorney or electronically, and the deposit is transferred to the account named in the agreement.
- State consent - the longest stage, usually several months.
- Payment of the balance and stamp duty by bank transfer.
- Registration of title at the land office.
A visit is needed mainly to view the apartment and open a bank account, while the deal itself can be done through a representative.
This topic in other countries
- Property in Turkey for foreigners
- Property in the UAE for foreigners
- Property in Georgia for foreigners
- Property in Cyprus for foreigners
- Property in Montenegro for foreigners
- Property in Spain for foreigners
- Property in Greece for foreigners
- Property in Bulgaria for foreigners
- Property in Thailand for foreigners
- Property in Germany for foreigners
- Property in Armenia for foreigners
- Property in Kazakhstan for foreigners
For this country: moving to Malaysia, taxes in Malaysia, Malaysia residence, Kuala Lumpur guide, buying an apartment in Malaysia, retiree residence in Malaysia.
A comparison of countries, prices and programmes is in our overview of where to buy property abroad.
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 · Country taxes · All country programs
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy property in Malaysia?
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Where do we start?
What stamp duty does a foreigner pay buying a home in Malaysia?
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Does buying property in Malaysia give residence?
Does a Russian need a visa to view an apartment in Malaysia?
How much does an apartment in Kuala Lumpur cost for a foreigner?
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Want to buy property in Malaysia?
We factor in the minimum price threshold for foreigners in your chosen Malaysian state, shortlist properties and vet the developer. Every country is in the searchable catalogue.
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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