Lucy Wu · Singapore Property

HDB vs Condo vs EC in Singapore — What Can Foreigners Buy?

By Lucy Wu · Licensed Real Estate Agent (CEA R062904B) · 2 July 2026

Per HDB and URA, Singapore homes fall into three types — HDB flats, private condos, and Executive Condominiums (EC). For foreigners, only private condos and 10-year-old ECs are buyable.

💡 Lucy’s tip: Foreigners don’t have many types to choose from — HDB and new ECs are off-limits — so it’s really about picking location and product within the private-condo market.

Comparison (per HDB / URA)

HDBPrivate CondoEC
Built byGovernmentPrivate developerPrivate (subsidised)
Foreigner❌ No✅ Yes⚠️ After 10 years
PR⚠️ Resale after 3 yrs✅ Yes⚠️ Conditional
Citizen✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes
PriceLowestHighestMiddle

What foreigners can buy

  1. Private condos / apartments (most common).
  2. Sentosa Cove landed homes.
  3. ECs privatised for 10+ years (resale market).

Summary

  • HDB = citizens/PRs only.
  • Condo = the foreigner’s main market.
  • EC = foreigners must wait 10 years.

⚠️ Definitions and eligibility as per HDB / URA.

FAQ

What's the difference between HDB, condo and EC?

Per HDB and URA, HDB flats are subsidised public housing for citizens/PRs; a private condo is built by private developers and open to foreigners; an EC (Executive Condominium) sits in between and becomes fully private, open to foreigners, 10 years after completion.

What can foreigners buy?

Per current rules, foreigners can buy private condos and apartments, or an EC that has been privatised for 10 years. They cannot buy HDB flats or new ECs.

⚠️ Figures are accurate as of the publish/update date and may change. Always verify with official sources (IRAS, URA, SLA, HDB, MAS). This is general information, not specific investment or tax advice — consult a licensed agent and professional advisers. Contact Lucy: WeChat wlx567 · +65 8310 5396.