Frequently Asked Questions
Everything foreign buyers commonly ask before purchasing land at Río San Juan. For detailed legal and procedural information, see our individual guides below.
Can foreigners own land in the Dominican Republic?
Yes. Dominican law (Constitution Art. 221 and Law 16-95 on Foreign Investment) grants foreign nationals identical property rights to Dominican citizens. You can hold title in your personal name, mortgage the property, sell it, and transfer it to heirs — without requiring residency, a local partner, or a corporate structure.
Read the full guide →What taxes do I pay when buying land?
The main purchase tax is the Impuesto de Transferencia Inmobiliaria at 3% of the DGII assessed value — paid once by the buyer at closing. Undeveloped land is completely exempt from annual IPI (property tax). You only pay IPI if you build a residential structure valued above the current exempt threshold (approximately USD 150,000–170,000). Total closing costs including attorney and notary fees typically run 4.5–8% of the purchase price.
Read the full guide →What is deslinde and do I need it?
Deslinde is the formal cadastral survey and boundary demarcation process required before a parcel can receive its own individual Certificado de Título under Dominican Law 108-05 (in force since 2007). Without completed deslinde, a plot holds a constancia anotada — a less secure form of title. For any land purchase, your attorney should verify deslinde completion via the Registro de Títulos before you sign a purchase agreement.
Read the full guide →What is the 60-meter maritime zone?
Under Law 305-68, the first 60 meters of land measured from the mean high-tide line along all Dominican ocean coastlines belongs to the state. No private title can be issued for land in this zone, and no construction is permitted. A legitimately titled coastal plot starts at or beyond the 60-meter mark. All plots we offer are positioned beyond this zone — buyers should independently verify this via a licensed surveyor.
Read the full guide →Do CONFOTUR tax incentives apply to my land purchase?
Not automatically. CONFOTUR incentives (15-year IPI exemption, transfer tax waiver, income tax exemption) apply only to projects that have received formal approval under Law 158-01. Simply buying land in a tourist area — even near an approved resort — does not grant CONFOTUR benefits. If residency or development tax incentives are important to your decision, verify whether the specific parcel is within a formally approved CONFOTUR project.
Read the full guide →Can buying land give me Dominican residency?
Yes. Law 171-07 provides expedited permanent residency for foreign nationals who invest a minimum of $200,000 USD in Dominican real estate. Processing time is approximately 45 business days. The investment must be documented by a Certificado de Título in your name, a notarized deed, and international bank transfer records. This pathway also offers a route to Dominican citizenship after two years of permanent residency.
Read the full guide →Do I need to be in the Dominican Republic to complete the purchase?
No. A licensed Dominican attorney can handle the entire transaction on your behalf under a notarized power of attorney (poder notarial). If you are outside the Dominican Republic, the power of attorney must be apostilled in your home country and, if not in Spanish, officially translated.
Read the full guide →How long does the purchase process take?
For a straightforward coastal plot transaction with a completed deslinde, the process typically takes 6–12 weeks from initial offer to receiving your Certificado de Título. The longest steps are usually the Registro de Títulos registration (2–6 weeks) and the initial due diligence certification.
Read the full guide →What happens at closing — what do I sign and pay?
At closing, you (or your attorney acting under power of attorney) sign the Acto de Venta (deed of sale) before a Dominican notary. You transfer the full balance of the purchase price via international wire or local bank transfer. Your attorney then pays the 3% transfer tax to the DGII and submits the deed to the Registro de Títulos for title registration. You receive your Certificado de Título 2–6 weeks later.
What is the capital gains tax if I sell the land later?
Capital gains from real estate sales are taxed at 27% of the net profit (sale price minus acquisition cost and documented improvements) for individual taxpayers under Dominican income tax law. There is no reduced rate for long-term holdings. The Dominican Republic has no inheritance tax on real property.
Read the full guide →