Can foreigners buy property in Malaysia in 2026?

Strata-titled condominiums and serviced residences above the relevant state minimum are the usual path. Some states also allow landed houses when the price clears a higher floor and the title is not restricted. Confirm the live threshold with a Malaysian conveyancing lawyer and the state land office before you pay a booking fee: Kuala Lumpur often sits near RM 1 million, Selangor primary zones commonly higher, Penang Island landed stock can sit far higher, while Melaka strata, parts of Sarawak and some Johor special zones publish softer entry points.

You cannot buy Malay-reserved land, Bumiputera-quota units or low- and medium-cost scheme housing reserved for locals. Sabah and Sarawak run separate land laws on top of peninsula practice. MM2H or an Employment Pass is not required to purchase, but living full-time still needs a lawful stay: Apply for a residence permit.

Every foreign purchase needs written state-authority consent under Section 433B. Without it, the title cannot register in your name. Timelines often run from about one to several months depending on the state. Budget consent fees separately from stamp duty: Property purchase costs.

Non-resident mortgages are harder than resident ones; cash buyers still need clean KYC: Open a bank account. Until consent clears, many movers rent first: How to rent a home. Compare corridors on Where to live.