Buying property in Hong Kong as a UK foreigner in 2026

Thinking of buying property in Hong Kong? In a city where a parking space can cost more than a three-bedroom semi in Sheffield, you can’t afford to be "standard" with your property search. Navigating the world’s most expensive real estate market requires more than just luck; it requires a game plan.

We’re here to help with a helpful guide covering everything you need to know as a UK buyer. This includes info on current house prices in Hong Kong, fees and taxes, how to get a mortgage and tips on where to start your search.

We’ll also introduce a reliable and cost-effective way to send large sums internationally from the money services provider Wise. Over 14.8 million people worldwide use Wise to move £36 billion every quarter.

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Please see the terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

Table of contents

Can UK foreigners buy property in Hong Kong? What’s the real estate market like in Hong Kong? How to search for a property in Hong Kong How to buy property in Hong Kong as a foreigner - a step-by-step guide Fees and costs of buying property in Hong Kong Risks and pitfalls of buying property in Hong Kong Moving into your Hong Kong property Save on currency conversion fees with Wise when buying property in Hong Kong Key takeaways

Can UK foreigners buy property in Hong Kong?

Yes, UK citizens can buy property in Hong Kong (HK).¹ There are no restrictions for British buyers on purchasing homes, apartments, condominiums or land - whether they live in HK or not.

It’s worth being aware though that as all land there is owned by the state, you can only buy leasehold land, not freehold.

To make sure you don’t encounter any legal obstacles with your purchase, it’s really important to use a qualified solicitor to carry out due diligence checks before buying property in Hong Kong.

You may also encounter additional costs to pay as a foreign buyer, especially if you need to have documents translated or use a specialist broker to find a mortgage.

Can you buy real estate and get residency?

There is a route to residency in Hong Kong through buying real estate, but it won’t be suitable for everyone.

The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) aims to attract high-net-worth individuals to Hong Kong, offering a temporary 2-year residence visa in exchange for significant investment. As of 2025, this includes investment in real estate alongside equities, bonds and funds.²

To be eligible for the scheme, you must be able to demonstrate a net worth of at least 30 million Hong Kong dollars (approx. £2,860,800 GBP) and buy one home with a minimum price of 30 million HKD. There are also other conditions which must be met.²

So, it’s definitely only useful for a certain number of wealthy buyers with lots of cash to spend on an expensive property.

📚 Read more: Countries that offer citizenship by investment visa

What’s the real estate market like in Hong Kong?

The Hong Kong property market is complex, and known for its high prices and limited supply of properties.

At the moment, prices are gradually increasing after a recent decline. As of October 2025, they’re up 1.13% compared to the same period a year earlier. In that year, prices had experienced a year-on-year fall of 9.63%.³

There are other positive signs of recovery too, such as strengthening demand and an uptick in residential construction activity. Completions of residential sales shot up by over 75% during 2024. ³

Despite this - and despite many new homes being built - Hong Kong still suffers from a chronic shortage of residential properties. This problem has dogged the housing sector there for over 20 years.³

What all of this means for buyers is stiff competition and higher prices for the best properties. You may need to move fast and pay a little more to secure your dream home or investment property.

Is property a good investment in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is generally considered to be a good place to buy property abroad, but there are still some pros and cons to consider.

Pros:

• Capital appreciation - although the HK real estate market has seen recent dips, it has historically experienced strong growth due to scarcity of land, demand from international buyers and good economic stability
• Strong rental demand - due to high population density, rental demand in Hong Kong is consistent, especially in sought-after areas
• Foreigner-friendly - there are no restrictions on foreign nationals purchasing properties or land. Hong Kong has also scrapped its Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) rate of 15% for non-residents, so foreign buyers now pay the same rates as residents.⁴

Cons:

• Extremely high prices - the Hong Kong real estate market is one of the most expensive in the world⁵
• Low rental yields compared to international standards, averaging around 3.9% as of Q2 2025³
• Market volatility - property prices in Hong Kong fluctuate significantly from year to year
• Mortgage conditions may be stricter and harder to meet for foreign applicants, and you may need a larger deposit.

📚 Read more: The best UK banks for sending money abroad

How much are the property prices?

So, how much is property in Hong Kong? This is an essential thing to know as you set your budget and start your search.

Hong Kong property prices are much more expensive than in the UK. In fact, they’re between 244% and 331% higher, depending on whether you buy in the heart of the city centre or in a region or island on the outskirts.⁶

The average price per square meter is between 124,823 and 198,061 HKD (approx. £11,903 and £18,887).⁶

And, if you’re arranging your property purchase from the UK, you’ll need a safe, reliable and preferably low-cost way to send over fees, deposits and other payments.

The Wise account could be a great solution, with transparent, low fees, and multiple layers of security, so you can safely transfer large amounts both in the UK and overseas.

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Where is the cheapest place to buy property in Hong Kong?

Most property in Hong Kong is expensive - in line with the city’s generally high cost of living- but some parts are a little cheaper than others.

If you’re house hunting on a budget, you can check out the New Territories (such as Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long, and Fanling). Some outer parts of Kowloon (such as Sham Shui Po, Mei Foo, and Jordan) can also be more affordable compared to Hong Kong Island.

However, you may have to put up with longer commutes into the city, along with higher renovation costs for older properties.

Best places to buy property in Hong Kong

The best place to buy property in Hong Kong all depends on why you’re buying.

Hong Kong Island is undoubtedly the most attractive spot for investors, along with business owners and professionals wanting to be in the heart of the action. However, these properties inevitably come with the highest price tags.

The most prestigious homes can be found in The Peak, Mid-Levels, Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay.

For more affordable places to live or rent out, areas such as Kennedy Town, Kowloon and the New Territories can be worth investigating.

📚 Read more: Retiring abroad from the UK: Complete guide

How to search for a property in Hong Kong

If you’re new to the Hong Kong property market, it could be worth using a specialist real estate agent to help you find the right property. They’ll have knowledge of the local market, and can help you navigate the buying process.

This service is likely to come with a fee, however. You also need to make sure the agent is licensed with the Estate Agents Authority.

You can also start the search online yourself, using one of these popular Hong Kong property websites and portals:

• 28hse.com
• Spacious.hk
• Squarefoot.com.hk
• House730.com
• Property.hk

What to check before you buy

Before buying property in Hong Kong, it’s crucial to have a solicitor carry out extensive due diligence checks. They can check the title deeds, examine property records and encumbrances, and verify the presence of any outstanding debts or liabilities associated with the property.

You may also want to have a building survey carried out. While not mandatory, this could help to flag up any structural or other issues which could be expensive to fix.

How to buy property in Hong Kong as a foreigner - a step-by-step guide

Now, let’s run through the steps involved in buying property in Hong Kong as a foreigner:

1. Get your finances in order

Before you do anything, it’s a good idea to get your finances sorted. This means setting a budget, getting a mortgage offer (approval in principle) and getting all your paperwork together.

You may also need to open a Hong Kong bank account, as it’ll make transactions easier later on, especially in relation to the mortgage (if applicable).

2. Find a property and arrange viewings

Now it’s time to start searching for your dream home. You can use online property portals and/or local estate agents to find properties. If you’re using an agent, make sure they’re licensed, reputable and part of the Estate Agents Authority.

If you’ve found somewhere you like, arrange a viewing as soon as you can, and start researching the area in the meantime.

3. Make an offer

The next important step is to submit a competitive offer to the estate agent. You can negotiate, just like in other countries.

4. Appoint a solicitor

While it’s not mandatory, it’s strongly recommended to find and appoint a property lawyer experienced in Hong Kong real estate law.

They will check over and translate all documents and contracts, as well as carrying out extensive due diligence checks for the transaction - including searching the Land Registry for encumbrances against the property.

A personal recommendation is a good way to find a solicitor, but you can also find a list of English-speaking property solicitors on the UK Government website.

5. Sign the provisional agreement and pay the deposit

If your offer is accepted, the next step is for both parties to sign the preliminary agreement. This is legally binding, so make sure you’re completely happy to proceed before signing.

You’ll also arrange a transfer for the deposit, which in Hong Kong is usually around 5% of the purchase price.³

At this stage, you might want to contact your mortgage provider to finalise the financing for your purchase.

6. Get a survey

While due diligence checks are being carried out by your solicitor, you might want to book a building survey. This involves hiring a surveyor to check the property for structural or other issues.

If the survey flags anything up, you may be able to re-negotiate on price.

7. Sign the formal purchase contract and pay another deposit

Around 14 days after the provisional agreement has been signed, it’s time to sign the final formal sales and purchase agreement. At this stage, you’ll pay another 5% deposit³ - along with the stamp duty (property transfer tax) required to register the change of ownership with the Land Registry.

8. Closing

As part of the closing process, you’ll need to complete your mortgage documentation and make arrangements to transfer funds to pay the final balance, along with other taxes and fees. Consider using the Wise account here to convert your pounds to Hong Kong dollars, avoiding hidden fees and getting the mid-market exchange rate.

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How long does it take to buy a property?

Buying property in Hong Kong typically takes around 8 to 12 weeks.³ This is from signing the provisional agreement to getting the keys.

📚 Read more: How to transfer large amounts of money from the UK

Fees and costs of buying property in Hong Kong

Here are the main fees and taxes for buying property in Hong Kong, which you’ll need to factor into your budget:³

Fee/tax	Amount
Property transfer tax	0.10% to 4.25%
Notary fees	0.75% to 3.75%
Legal fees	1%
Real estate agent fees (if applicable)	0.5% to 1%

Taxes and fees for owning property

Once you’ve bought your Hong Kong property and paid all those initial costs, you may have some ongoing fees and taxes to cover as a property owner.

The main one to know about is the tax on rental income, which will apply if you rent out your property. This type of property tax is a flat rate of 15%, after an initial standard deduction of 20%.⁷

Loans and mortgages for non-residents

Banks in Hong Kong do offer mortgages to foreign nationals and non-residents.

However, you might be asked for more paperwork or face stricter lending criteria as a foreign buyer. You’ll also need to be physically present in Hong Kong in order to sign the paperwork.⁸

In general though, you should be able to get a loan-to-value (LTV) rate of around 70%.⁸ This means you’ll need a larger deposit than perhaps you’re used to when buying property in the UK.

Risks and pitfalls of buying property in Hong Kong

One of the main things to watch out for when either buying or selling property abroad are scams.

To avoid these, it’s strongly recommended to work with qualified and credible professionals such as real estate agents and solicitors. Ideally, you should also check for membership of a professional body when working with any property experts, brokers or agents.

Other important things to remember include the following:

• Be cautious and do your homework (including meeting or speaking to the seller) before sending money or a deposit.
• Hire a solicitor and do as much due diligence as possible - including ensuring that the seller has the legal right to sell the property.
• Visit the property in person (don’t rely on online listings alone)
• Get an inspection/survey carried out if you have any concerns about the property.

Moving into your Hong Kong property

Before you can get the keys to your new home, you’ll have a final few tasks to check off your list.

Insurance

It’s strongly recommended to take out a buildings insurance policy starting from your completion date. In fact, you might find it's a mandatory condition of your mortgage offer.

Setting up utilities

If you know when your completion date will be, it makes sense to get some essentials set up in advance of moving in.

A prime example is utilities, such as heating, power and water. Get these sorted as early as you can, and the moving process should be a little smoother.

Energy efficiency renovations

If you’ve bought an older Hong Kong property, you might want to make some energy efficiency improvements to it. For example, upgrading the insulation, or installing a new heating or air conditioning system.

Save on currency conversion fees with Wise when buying property in Hong Kong

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Key takeaways

• UK citizens can buy property without restriction, though you will purchase leasehold land rather than freehold, as the state owns all land in Hong Kong.
• Hong Kong ranks as one of the world's most expensive markets, with average prices sitting 244% to 331% higher than in the UK.
• You can access a residency path (New CIES) by investing at least HK$30 million, which includes residential property capped at a specific value.
• The government recently scrapped the 15% Buyer’s Stamp Duty for non-residents, meaning foreign buyers now pay the same standard tax rates as local residents.
• Local banks offer mortgages to non-residents with a typical Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio of 70%, requiring you to provide a 30% deposit and proof of global income.
• The buying process generally moves quickly, typically taking 8 to 12 weeks from the initial offer to the final completion and key handover.

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Sources used:

1. Global Property Guide - How to Buy Property in Hong Kong as a Foreigner
2. Hawksford - Hong Kong immigration guide
3. Global Property Guide - Hong Kong's Residential Property Market Analysis 2025
4. Mingtiandi - Hong Kong Budget Scraps Stamp Duties to Boost Struggling Housing Market
5. TrueParity - Exploring the Most Expensive Housing Market in the World
6. Numbeo - Cost of Living Comparison Between United Kingdom and Hong Kong (China)
7. HSBC Expat - Tax in Hong Kong
8. HSBC - Buying Property in Hong Kong: A Guide for Overseas Buyer on Purchase and Mortgage

Sources last checked 14-Jan-2026