# Closing costs in the Dominican Republic

> What closing a Punta Cana purchase costs: 3% transfer tax, legal fees, notary and registry — and how a CONFOTUR project changes it. 2026 orientation, verify per project.

Source: https://canakeys.com/costs/closing-costs
Publisher: Cana Keys (A&M Caribbean Group SRL), Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Last reviewed: 2026-08-27
Language: en
Licence: quote and cite with attribution and a link.

Closing costs sit on top of the sticker price and are usually the buyer's responsibility. The dominant item is the property transfer tax, generally 3% of the government-assessed value, followed by your own legal fees (commonly quoted around 1–1.5% of the price, sometimes a flat fee), plus notary, registry and document costs. As orientation, budget in the region of 4–5% of the purchase price for a standard resale, and confirm every line with your lawyer before signing. On a project holding a valid CONFOTUR resolution, the transfer tax can be exempt — which changes the total materially, and must be verified in writing.

## The line items
- Transfer tax — generally 3% of the value assessed by the tax authority, not necessarily your contract price
- Legal fees — your independent lawyer, commonly around 1–1.5% or a flat fee for straightforward transactions
- Notary and document costs — signature legalisation and the deed of sale
- Registry costs — recording the transfer and issuing the new certificate of title
- Situational costs — survey or deslinde work, corporate structuring if you buy through a company, translation

## CONFOTUR changes the total, per project
Where a project holds a valid CONFOTUR resolution under Law 158-01, the transfer tax on the first sale can be exempt and annual property tax can be paused for the incentive period. That is a project-level benefit granted by resolution — never a zone-level one and never automatic because a salesperson says the area is 'CONFOTUR'. Ask for the resolution number, confirm your unit is inside its scope, and have your lawyer verify it before you model the saving.

## What we will not publish
We do not publish a fixed invoice total for your deal. Assessed values, legal fee structures and project status differ, and a number presented as certain would be wrong more often than right. The figures above are 2026 orientation for planning your budget; your lawyer's written quote is the number to act on.

## FAQ

### How much are closing costs in Punta Cana?
Answer: As orientation, plan for roughly 4–5% of the purchase price on a standard resale: about 3% transfer tax plus legal, notary and registry costs. On a project with a valid CONFOTUR resolution the transfer tax can be exempt, which lowers the total substantially. Confirm the exact figures with your own lawyer.
Permalink: https://canakeys.com/costs/closing-costs#how-much-are-closing-costs-in-punta-cana

### Who pays closing costs, buyer or seller?
Answer: The buyer customarily pays transfer tax, registry and their own legal fees. The seller typically settles outstanding property tax, HOA and any commissions owed. Whatever the custom, put the allocation in the purchase contract.
Permalink: https://canakeys.com/costs/closing-costs#who-pays-closing-costs-buyer-or-seller

### Is transfer tax calculated on my purchase price?
Answer: It is calculated on the value assessed by the tax authority, which may differ from your contract price. Your lawyer can request the assessment before closing so the figure is not a surprise.
Permalink: https://canakeys.com/costs/closing-costs#is-transfer-tax-calculated-on-my-purchase-price

### Do I need a Dominican bank account or company to buy?
Answer: Neither is required to hold title as an individual. Some buyers use a company for estate or liability reasons; that is a tax and legal decision to take with an advisor, not a purchase requirement.
Permalink: https://canakeys.com/costs/closing-costs#do-i-need-a-dominican-bank-account-or-company-to-buy