Buying property in the Dominican Republic: step by step

Foreigners buy property in the Dominican Republic on the same terms as Dominican nationals. Law 16-95 grants equal ownership rights, with no requirement for a local partner, residency, or a corporate structure, though some buyers still purchase through a Dominican company for tax or estate-planning reasons.

The process usually begins with a reservation and a promise of sale (contrato de promesa de venta), signed with a deposit of around 10%. Before that contract becomes binding, your attorney runs due diligence: confirming the seller's title at the Title Registry, checking that the property has a clean deslinde (a registered survey), and verifying there are no liens, unpaid taxes, or occupants.

Once due diligence clears, the parties sign the final deed of sale, the balance is paid, and the transfer is filed at the Registro de Títulos, which issues a new Certificate of Title in the buyer's name. From signed promise to a registered title typically takes a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the deslinde status and the registry's workload.

Line up two things early: an independent attorney who represents you (not the seller or developer), and confirmation of whether the development carries CONFOTUR status, which can waive the transfer tax. Reach out through our contact page for help with a specific purchase.