Foreign Real Estate Acquisition Regulations (2025.8) Contents and Regions

Regulations on Real Estate Acquisition by Non-Resident Foreigners were announced in August 2025

The government will regulate the acquisition of real estate by foreigners for non-residential purposes to prevent foreign real estate speculation, eliminate reverse discrimination against domestic residents, and stabilize the real estate market.

Subject to Approval

1. Home transactions with a foreign buyer in a Approval zones
2. The scope of foreigners includes individuals who do not hold Korean citizenship, foreign corporations, and foreign governments.
3. The scope of housing includes single-family homes, multi-family homes, apartments, townhouses, and duplexes.

Key changes

1. Moving from reporting to authorization -> Authorization from competent authorities
2. Residency obligation -> Must move in within 4 months of authorization date, with a minimum of 2 years of residency obligation
3. Crackdown on funding sources and illegal transactions -> Mandatory submission of funding plan and supporting documents / Addition of overseas funding sources and non-freedom of movement (immigration status) to the funding plan – Illegal importation of overseas funds (violation of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act), unqualified rental business (violation of the Immigration Control Act)
4. Strengthened routine and planned investigations of foreign housing transactions – Suspected money laundering will be notified to the FIU and forwarded to the FIU overseas

What to do if violated

1. Ordered by the mayor of the city, county, or district where the home is located within three months
2. In case of non-fulfillment, a compulsory payment will be imposed repeatedly until the obligation is fulfilled (within 10/100 of the land acquisition value, depending on the reason for violation)