Non-Resident Transfer Cost Calculator
Estimate the total cash required to buy South African property, considering the 50% deposit rule for foreign loans.
Lending Restrictions
As a non-resident, your bond is typically limited to 50% of the purchase price. The calculator has been pre-set to this limit.
Check Bond Repayments →Exchange Rate Note
Remember that your transfer duty and attorney fees must be paid in ZAR. Fluctuations in the exchange rate can significantly affect your final cost in your home currency.
Key Concepts for International Buyers
- Transfer Duty
- A government tax on properties over R1.1 million. It applies equally to everyone. There is no "foreigner surcharge" on property tax in South Africa.
- Withholding Tax
- If you sell the property later for more than R2 million, SARS may withhold a percentage of the proceeds (Withholding Tax on Foreign Sellers) until your Capital Gains Tax is calculated.
- Deal Receipt
- Ensure you keep the "Deal Receipt" from the bank when bringing money into SA. You will need this proof to repatriate your funds (and any profit) when you eventually sell.
- Bond Registration
- Even if you are only borrowing 50%, you still pay bond registration fees to an attorney to register the loan at the Deeds Office.
Non-Resident FAQs
Do foreigners pay higher Transfer Duty?
No. The Transfer Duty rates are the same for residents and non-residents. It is a tax on the property transaction, not the person.
How much can a non-resident borrow?
Generally, South African banks will lend up to 50% of the purchase price to non-residents. You will need to bring the other 50% plus cash for transfer costs into the country.
Can I use funds currently in South Africa?
Yes. If you have funds in a blocked Rand account or other transferable funds within SA, these can be used for the deposit. However, the 1:1 Rand lending rule usually applies to money introduced from abroad.
Get a Formal Quote PDF
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- Official Amortization Schedule
- Tax Certificate Format