How much does a foreigner really pay for a RM1 million condo in Malaysia?
Checked 20 October 2026 by Seann Siow, REN 34312. Sources are listed at the end of this page.
Short answer: On top of the RM1 million (≈ US$250,000) price, a foreign buyer of a resale condominium pays about RM116,000 to RM126,000 (≈ US$29,000 to US$32,000) in stamp duty, state approval fees and legal fees, depending on the state. The biggest item is the 8% foreign-buyer stamp duty, RM80,000. Loan costs and furnishing are extra.
Costs on a RM1,000,000 resale condo
Example for a foreign individual buying a resale (secondary market) condominium for RM1,000,000 with no loan.
| Cost | Johor | Penang Island | Melaka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stamp duty on the transfer (8%) | RM80,000 | RM80,000 | RM80,000 |
| State approval fee or levy | RM30,000 (3%, the minimum) | RM15,000 (1.5%, Island strata RM1m–1.5m) | RM30,000 (3%, the minimum) |
| State application fee | RM2,000 | RM10,000 | RM5,000 |
| Lawyer's scale fee, sale and transfer | RM11,250 | RM11,250 | RM11,250 |
| Total on top of the price | RM123,250 (≈ US$31,000) | RM116,250 (≈ US$29,000) | RM126,250 (≈ US$32,000) |
| As a share of the price | 12.3% | 11.6% | 12.6% |
Lawyer's scale fee: 1.25% of the first RM500,000 (RM6,250) plus 1% of the next RM500,000 (RM5,000). Disbursements, any tax on legal fees, and loan costs are not included.
Buying new from a developer
For homes sold under the Housing Development Act, the lawyer's scale fee is lower: for a price over RM500,000 up to RM1 million, it is 65% of the standard scale. On RM1,000,000 that is RM7,312.50 instead of RM11,250. Stamp duty and the state fees stay the same.
When you buy new, you pay the price in stages during construction rather than in one go. See the projects I'm selling →
Other costs to budget for
- Loan costs: stamp duty on the loan agreement, the bank's lawyer's fee and valuation. Ask your bank for a written quote.
- Furnishing and moving in.
- Yearly costs: maintenance fee and sinking fund, assessment tax and quit rent.
- Currency: the cost of moving money into Malaysia.
Why the foreign-buyer costs are higher
Two items apply only to foreign buyers: the 8% stamp duty rate (from 1 January 2026, under the Finance Act 2025), and the state approval fee, charged because every foreign purchase needs the state's written approval. Together they make up most of the extra cost.
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Frequently asked questions
How much stamp duty is there on a RM1 million condo for a foreigner?
RM80,000, which is 8% of the price or the market value, whichever is higher, for homes transferred to foreign buyers from 1 January 2026 under Malaysia's Finance Act 2025.
How much are lawyer fees on a RM1 million property in Malaysia?
Under the Solicitors' Remuneration Order 2023 scale for Peninsular Malaysia, the sale and transfer fee on RM1,000,000 is RM11,250. For homes bought new under the Housing Development Act, it is 65% of that, RM7,312.50. Disbursements are extra.
What is the state approval fee on a RM1 million condo?
RM30,000 plus RM2,000 in Johor, RM15,000 plus RM10,000 on Penang Island, and RM30,000 plus RM5,000 in Melaka, according to each state's published fees.
What is the total cost of buying a RM1 million condo as a foreigner?
About RM116,000 to RM126,000 on top of the price in Johor, Penang Island and Melaka, before loan costs, according to the worked example on this page.
Are the costs lower when buying from a developer?
The lawyer's fee is lower (65% of the scale for a price over RM500,000 up to RM1 million under the Housing Development Act), but stamp duty and state fees are the same.
Keep reading
- Property taxes for foreign buyers
- State approval for foreign buyers
- Minimum price for foreigners, by state
- Malaysia vs Singapore for foreign buyers
About the author
Seann Siow is a registered estate negotiator in Kuala Lumpur (REN 34312) with more than 10 years in property. He helps foreign buyers and relocating families buy new condominiums in Kuala Lumpur.
Sources
Checked 20 October 2026.
- Finance Act 2025 (Act 874), sections 25, 26 and 29(b), amending the Stamp Act 1949 from 1 January 2026.
- State approval fees: Pejabat Tanah dan Galian Johor ("Maklumat Bayaran"), Pulau Pinang (guideline updated 1 August 2024, paragraphs 4 and 5) and Melaka (Dasar Pemilikan Hartanah oleh Warganegara Asing).
- Legal fee scale: Solicitors' Remuneration Order 2023 (Peninsular Malaysia, in force 15 July 2023), First Schedule, Tables A and B, as summarised by Conventus Law — conventuslaw.com.
- US dollars: converted at RM4 = US$1 and rounded, a rough guide only.
General information, checked on the date shown, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; confirm them for your purchase with the state land office, a lawyer or a tax adviser. Seann Siow, REN 34312.