Who counts as a foreign interest?
Johor's published rules define foreign interests to include non-Malaysian individuals, permanent residents, foreign companies or institutions, and certain Malaysian companies or institutions where the specified foreign parties hold more than 50% of voting rights. For a Singapore citizen buying personally, the non-Malaysian individual category applies.
Which residential properties are listed at RM1 million and above?
For direct purchases from developers, Johor currently lists two-storey-and-above terrace houses, two-storey-and-above cluster houses, two-storey-and-above semi-detached houses, two-storey-and-above detached or bungalow houses, vacant bungalow lots, and apartments, service apartments or holiday homes. The published minimum for these listed residential categories is RM1 million and above.
The current foreign-interest page also lists the same RM1 million minimum for the specified residential categories in sub-sale transactions. Check the current Johor Land Office rules ↗
What can't a foreign buyer acquire?
Johor's current published restrictions include low-cost and low-medium-cost residential or shop units, one-storey and one-and-a-half-storey residential terrace units, terrace shop or shop-office units below three storeys, Bumiputera-quota property unless the required release has been obtained, property on Malay Reserve Land, certain court-sale or public-auction property, stalls or service workshops, specified agricultural homestead property, and property gazetted under the National Heritage Act 2005.
This is why a listing price above RM1 million should never be treated as proof that a Singapore buyer can purchase the unit.
Developer purchase versus sub-sale
The state publishes separate sections for direct purchases from developers and purchases from individuals or companies that are not developers. Developer projects also have published foreign-interest quotas for the listed categories. For example, the current table shows different quota percentages depending on residential property type.
For a specific unit, ask the developer, seller and your lawyer to confirm eligibility rather than relying only on marketing material.
State Authority approval still matters
Under section 433B of the National Land Code, acquisition of land by a non-citizen or foreign company generally requires prior State Authority approval, subject to statutory exceptions. Federal land-administration guidance likewise states that transfer to a non-Malaysian citizen requires State Authority consent. JKPTG land-transfer guidance ↗
What are Johor's current foreign-acquisition charges?
The Johor Land Office currently publishes a RM2,000 application fee per title. For residential and commercial acquisitions, the approval charge is 3% of property value with a RM30,000 minimum. The state publishes a separate RM50,000 minimum for certain service apartment/SOHO cases permitted below the RM1 million minimum threshold. Johor payment schedule ↗
These are state foreign-acquisition charges and should not be confused with the total cost of buying. Stamp duty, legal fees, financing costs and disbursements may also apply.
Example: a RM1.2 million Johor property
A RM1.2 million asking price clears the published RM1 million price threshold, but that fact alone does not establish eligibility. You would still need to establish that the property category is permitted, check title restrictions and other state conditions, and obtain any required approval. The state approval charge at 3% of RM1.2 million would be RM36,000 if RM1.2 million is the applicable value for the charge; the exact basis should be confirmed for the transaction.
Five checks before paying a booking fee
Check more than the purchase price
Our Singapore Buyer Checklist covers foreign ownership, state consent, buying costs, financing, due diligence and commuting questions.
Get the Free Buyer Checklist →Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum property price for foreigners in Johor in 2026?
The Johor Land Office currently lists RM1,000,000 and above for the residential categories it permits foreign interests to acquire, for both qualifying developer purchases and sub-sales.
Can a foreigner buy any Johor property above RM1 million?
No. The property must also fall within a permitted category and comply with applicable state restrictions and approvals. Johor lists several categories that foreign interests are not permitted to acquire.
Does the RM1 million rule apply to Singaporeans?
Yes. For Johor’s foreign-interest rules, a Singapore citizen is a non-Malaysian individual and therefore falls within the foreign-interest framework.
Can foreigners buy a one-storey terrace house in Johor?
Johor’s current published list permits terrace houses of two storeys and above for foreign acquisition; it separately states that one-storey and one-and-a-half-storey residential terrace units are not permitted for foreign interests.
Continue your research
The minimum purchase price is an eligibility threshold, not your full buying budget. Compare stamp duty, state approval charges and legal fees separately before committing funds.
For the broader buying process, read Can Singaporeans Buy Property in Johor? (2026 Guide). If location is your next question, explore our Iskandar Puteri, Eco Botanic and Horizon Hills guides.