Foreigners can most definitely buy one in Malaysia, it’s just a matter of deciding WHERE. We welcome outside buyers into our property market, whether as an expat looking for a great new home, or an investor looking for a fantastic investment opportunity.
The definition of a foreigner is outlined in the National Land Code 1965. It is defined as any natural citizen who is not a permanent resident of Malaysia.
What Properties Foreigners Can Buy?
Given the rules vary by state, there is no single definition that covers all of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. It’s worth noting that Malaysia works on a federal system, so the rules in states of Peninsular Malaysia differ from those of Sabah and Sarawak, which are empowered to introduce their own ownership legislation.
While there isn’t a nationwide definition of properties you can buy, there are three important types of property that foreigners are not eligible to purchase:
Properties built on Malay reserved land
Properties defined as low-cost or medium-cost affordable units as defined by the state
Properties allocated to Bumiputera groups as part of a development project
Minimum Malaysia Property Purchase Price For Foreigners
Malaysia State | Minimum Price | MM2H Price |
|---|---|---|
Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan | RM 1,000,000 | RM 1,000,000 |
Selangor | RM 2,000,000 | RM 2,000,000 (Zone 1 & 2) RM 1,000,000 (Zone 3) |
Penang | Overhang landed property: RM1,800,000 (island) and RM750,000 (mainland) Overhang strata/high-rise properties: RM800,000 (island) and RM400,000 (mainland) | RM 1,000,000 |
Johor | RM 2,000,000 (landed property in designated international zones) RM 1,000,000 (high-rise/strata title property within non-international zones, except for Medini) | RM 1,000,000 |
Melaka | RM 1,000,000 (landed title) RM 500,000 (high-rise/strata title) | RM 1,000,000 (landed title) RM 500,000 (high-rise/strata title) |
Negeri Sembilan | RM 1,000,000 (overhang landed property) RM 600,000 (overhang high-rise/strata title property) | RM 1,000,000 |
Kedah | RM 1,000,000 | RM1,000,000 |
Kelantan | RM 1,000,000 | RM 1,000,000 |
Pahang | RM 1,000,000 | RM 1,000,000 |
Terengganu | RM 1,000,000 | RM 1,000,000 |
Perak | RM 1,000,000 | RM 1,000,000 |
Perlis | RM 500,000 | RM 1,000,000 |
Sabah | RM 1,000,000 (landed property) RM 600,000 (high-rise property) | RM 1,000,000 |
Sarawak | RM 600,000（Kuching RM 500,000（other areas） | RM 600,000（Kuching RM 500,000（other areas） |
Strata titles: Strata titles in Malaysia relate to properties where multiple units are built as part of a shared development with shared amenities. In most cases that means apartments or condos.
Landed property: Means property where a unit is developed as part of a private parcel, with no shared ownership responsibility, with an individual property title. That often means a bungalow, semi-detached, or terraced house.
Overhang: Refers to properties in Malaysia’s real estate market where supply currently outstrips demand, such as luxury condos in large developments. These will be defined by the state authorities.