Know exactly what you’ll pay before you buy. This calculator gives you an itemized breakdown of every closing cost when purchasing property in the Dominican Republic — transfer tax, legal fees, notary, registration, and more. Toggle CONFOTUR to see how much you can save on qualifying properties.
Get a full investment breakdown for a specific property — rental income, ROI, and market value included.
Understanding every line item in your closing cost breakdown.
The largest single closing cost. This government tax is 3% of the assessed property value, paid by the buyer at closing to the DGII (Dirección General de Impuestos Internos). It is waived entirely for properties certified under the CONFOTUR program.
Your attorney handles due diligence: title search, lien verification, contract drafting, and closing representation. Budget approximately 1% of the purchase price. Always hire an independent attorney — never rely on one provided by the seller or their agent.
The notary public (Notario) authenticates and notarizes the deed of sale (Acto de Venta). This is a legal requirement for property transfers in the DR. Cost is approximately 0.5% of the purchase price.
Registration fee paid to the Registro de Títulos (National Land Registry) to officially transfer the Certificado de Título into your name. This is the final step in legally securing your ownership.
A formal search of the property’s title history to verify clean ownership, check for liens or encumbrances, and confirm the seller’s legal right to sell. Your attorney typically coordinates this through the Registro de Títulos.
A certified land survey (deslinde) that confirms exact property boundaries. Required for villas, houses, townhouses, and land parcels. Not typically needed for condos or penthouses where unit boundaries are defined by the condominium plan.
See how CONFOTUR certification dramatically reduces your total cost of buying and owning property in the DR.
Important: Always verify CONFOTUR status before closing. Request the official CONFOTUR resolution number, confirm the resolution date and remaining exemption period, and verify the exemption covers your specific unit. Your attorney should handle this verification as part of due diligence.
Beyond closing costs, here’s what to budget for your first year of property ownership in the DR.
Closing costs: $14,450 (one-time)
Year 1 recurring: $10,480
Total Year 1 costs beyond purchase price: $24,930
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Total buyer closing costs typically range from 3.5% to 5% of the purchase price. This includes the 3% transfer tax (Impuesto de Transferencia), legal fees (~1%), notary fees (~0.5%), and title registration (~0.2%). CONFOTUR-certified properties eliminate the 3% transfer tax, reducing total closing costs to roughly 1.5–2%.
The transfer tax is 3% of the government-assessed property value, paid by the buyer at closing. It is the single largest closing cost. Properties certified under the CONFOTUR tourism incentive program are fully exempt from this tax, saving buyers thousands of dollars.
Yes, hiring an independent attorney is essential and standard practice. Your lawyer handles due diligence (title search, lien verification, boundary survey), drafts or reviews the Promesa de Venta (purchase agreement), and represents you at closing. Budget approximately 1% of the purchase price for legal fees. Never use the seller's attorney — always hire your own.
The Impuesto al Patrimonio Inmobiliario (IPI) is an annual property tax of 1% on the combined assessed value of all properties owned by an individual that exceeds approximately RD$9.86 million (~$170,000 USD). Properties below this threshold pay nothing. CONFOTUR-certified properties are exempt for up to 15 years.
CONFOTUR (Consejo de Fomento Turístico) is a Dominican government incentive program under Law 158-01 that grants tax exemptions to qualifying tourism-related properties. Eligible buyers are exempt from the 3% transfer tax at purchase and the annual 1% IPI property tax for up to 15 years. On a $400,000 property, this can save over $40,000 over the exemption period.
Annual ownership costs include: IPI property tax (1% on assessed value above ~$170K), property insurance (~$1,200/year for a standard condo), HOA or condo fees ($150–$400/month depending on amenities), and maintenance reserves (1.5–2% of property value per year). Total annual carrying costs typically run 3–5% of the property value.
No. The Dominican Republic grants foreign nationals the same property rights and tax obligations as citizens. The transfer tax, legal fees, notary fees, and registration costs are identical regardless of nationality. The only difference is that DR residents may have an easier time obtaining local financing with lower down payment requirements.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary by property, municipality, attorney, and transaction complexity. The transfer tax is based on the government-assessed value, which may differ from the purchase price. Consult with a licensed Dominican attorney before making purchase decisions. Cost estimates reflect 2024–2025 market benchmarks.
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