Dominican Republic property buying costs: every one-off fee, with the rate that sets it.

What are the one-off costs of buying property in the Dominican Republic?

The 3% transfer tax, legal fees of about 1%, notary fees of 0.25% to 1%, and registry fees of a few hundred pesos. Global Property Guide, working with KPMG, puts total buyer costs at about 4.25% to 5% of the price. The agent's commission is normally paid by the seller.

How is the Dominican transfer tax calculated?

At 3% of the property value, land plus construction, under Article 7 of Law 173-07, which modified Law 288-04. It must be paid within 6 months of the transfer, and the registry will not record the buyer as owner until it is. DR Listings reports it is charged on the higher of the DGII appraisal and the declared price.

That last point was not confirmed from the DGII, whose brochure could not be loaded for this page. Budget on the higher of the two values. The registry's own requirement of proof of payment is on its transfer checklist. The title side of the transfer: the certificado de título, explained.

What are the land registry fees on a Dominican purchase?

Small fixed amounts in pesos. RD$20 per duplicate title and RD$10 per registered lien or right under Law 33-91, RD$130 per notarised act under Law 140-15, and RD$50 per notarised contract under Law 3-2019. Filing by remote deposit adds a service fee of RD$300 in Santo Domingo or RD$800 elsewhere.

The U.S. State Department puts overall registration costs at about 3.4% of the land value, a figure that includes the 3% transfer tax.

How much are lawyer and notary fees in the Dominican Republic?

Published figures differ. Global Property Guide gives legal fees of 1% and notary fees of 0.25% to 1%. DR Listings gives lawyer fees of 1% to 1.5%. No official source found regulates either as a percentage, so get a written quote.

The registry accepts a private deed with notarised signatures, and the sources reviewed describe a lawyer as standard practice through registration rather than a legal requirement. A notary must certify the deed under Law 140-15 in either case.

Who pays the estate agent in the Dominican Republic?

Normally the seller. Global Property Guide gives an agent fee of 2% to 3% paid by the seller, which puts the seller's side at 2% to 3% and a full round trip, buying and later selling, at about 6.25% to 8%. No official source found regulates agent commissions.

Higher commission figures sometimes quoted online were not found in any source reviewed for this page.

Can a buyer avoid the transfer tax in the Dominican Republic?

Yes, as the first purchaser of a unit in a project classified by CONFOTUR under Law 158-01. The exemption covers the transfer tax and IPI. It is processed through the Ministry of Finance, which refers authorisation to the DGII, and the project must hold a CONFOTUR classification resolution. A resale does not carry it.

As of September 2026 CONFOTUR remains in force, but Law 30-26 added a rule against stacking incentive regimes that trade press says affects some condo-hotel projects. Get the classification resolution and the exemption confirmed in writing. The detail: Dominican Republic property tax for foreigners.

What does a mortgage add to Dominican buying costs?

A registration tax on the mortgage, commonly 2% of the registered amount. Law 30-26 cuts it to 1% in 2027 and eliminates it from 2028, according to Ulises Cabrera and Siempre al Día. Banks lend to foreigners with legal residency, typically 70% to 90% of appraised value, per El Inmobiliario.

No lender terms for non-residents were confirmed, so most non-resident buyers should assume cash or home-country financing. The full buying process: buying property in the Dominican Republic as a foreigner.

Header photo: Jjc09, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. All credits: image credits.