Buying Property in Kuala Lumpur from Taiwan: A Guide

The short answer

A buyer from Taiwan can own a home in Kuala Lumpur in their own name. As at October 2026, the minimum price for a foreign buyer in Kuala Lumpur is RM 1,000,000, the purchase needs the approval of the land authority, and the stamp duty on the transfer of a residential property is a flat 8%. When you sell, the gains tax is 30% in the first five years and 10% after that.

All prices here are in Malaysian ringgit. I do not give Taiwan dollar figures, because the exchange rate changes daily.

The facts in one table (checked, updated October 2026)

The state-by-state figures are in minimum price for foreigners by state.

Words that differ between Taiwan and Malaysia

Ping to square feet

Price per square foot is the usual comparison in Malaysia. To turn a price per square foot into a price per ping, multiply by 35.58. How the area in a Malaysian price list is measured is set out in the sale and purchase agreement and the floor plan, so ask for both.

What you can buy, and where

• Kuala Lumpur. The minimum is RM 1,000,000. Condominiums and serviced residences above the threshold are the usual starting point. If you are considering a landed house, confirm with the land office or your lawyer that the type is open to foreign buyers.
• Selangor. RM 2,000,000 in Petaling, Gombak, Hulu Langat, Sepang and Klang districts, which include Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya and Cyberjaya. Strata property only.
• Title. Projects are sold on freehold or leasehold title. It is stated in each project's details; read it there.

Where to start looking:

• Kuala Lumpur city centre new launches
• Bukit Jalil new launches. Many units there are priced below RM 1,000,000, so a foreign buyer needs to look at the larger units that reach the threshold.

What it costs to buy

For a foreign buyer of a RM 1,000,000 home:

The loan amount in the second row is only an example. The worked figures for other prices are in stamp duty in 2026.

What it costs to sell

The buyer withholds 7% of the price and sends it to the tax authority; the return is filed online within 60 days of the sale. See RPGT rates in 2026. Because the rate stays at 30% for five years, a purchase in Malaysia suits a buyer who plans to hold.

Loans for buyers who live in Taiwan

Malaysia's foreign exchange rules allow a non-resident to borrow in ringgit from a bank in Malaysia to buy property, other than land alone. That is the rule. Whether a particular bank will lend to someone whose income is earned in Taiwan, how much, at what rate and with which documents, is decided by each bank and varies. Ask the bank for a written indication before you sign, and plan for the possibility of paying a larger share in cash.

More on how banks look at overseas buyers is in my home loan guide for foreign buyers.

Buying a home under construction: how you pay

New homes in Malaysia are commonly sold before completion. For a strata home sold by a licensed housing developer, the law sets the sale and purchase agreement, known as Schedule H, and the developer cannot change the payment stages.

Payment schedule under Schedule H (checked, updated October 2026)

What the same agreement gives the buyer:

• Each stage is payable within 30 days of the developer's written notice.
• The developer must hand over the unit within 36 months of the date of the agreement. If it is late, the buyer is entitled to damages at 10% a year of the purchase price, counted by the day.
• Defects that appear within 24 months of handover are the developer's to repair.

If you have a loan, ask the bank how it releases each stage. Some projects are sold under a different form of agreement, so ask which one yours uses before you sign.

The steps, from Taiwan

1. Choose the unit. Ask for the price list, floor plan and the developer's licence and sales permit numbers.
2. Appoint a Malaysian lawyer. The lawyer checks the agreement, applies for state approval and handles the stamping.
3. Sign the sale and purchase agreement. Ask your lawyer how it is signed and witnessed if you are not in Malaysia.
4. State approval. The application for approval of a foreign purchase is made to the land authority.
5. Loan, if any. Sign the loan documents; the loan agreement is stamped at 0.5%.
6. Pay the stages as the building goes up.
7. Handover. Inspect the unit, collect the keys, and report defects within the 24-month period.

Money and currency

• Prices, taxes, fees and instalments are in ringgit. The amount in Taiwan dollars depends on the rate on the day you transfer, so check it with your bank each time.
• Malaysia's rules allow a non-resident to invest in ringgit assets and to take out the proceeds of a sale, profits and income in foreign currency.
• For the rules on sending money out of Taiwan and on reporting overseas income there, ask your bank and accountant in Taiwan. I do not advise on Taiwan's rules.

If you plan to live in Malaysia

Buying a property and the right to stay long term are separate matters. The Malaysia My Second Home programme is the long-stay route, and it has its own minimum home value for each category. See my MM2H guide and the wider guide to foreigners buying property in Malaysia.

Check before you sign

The figures on this page were checked on 3 October 2026 and can change. This page is not tax or legal advice; confirm the threshold, the taxes and the agreement with your lawyer or LHDN before signing. To go through projects from Taiwan, WhatsApp Shyan Yee (REN 46305, IQI Realty) at +60 17-279 8932.