# Freehold: what foreigners actually own here

> Foreigners buy freehold in the Dominican Republic — full registered ownership, no leasehold term, no local partner. What still limits use.

Source: https://canakeys.com/glossary/freehold
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.

Freehold means you own the property outright and indefinitely, with your name on the registered title, and you can sell, rent, mortgage or inherit it. The Dominican Republic grants foreigners the same freehold ownership rights as nationals for residential property. There is no leasehold term to run down and no requirement to hold through a Dominican partner or nominee.

## Why a Punta Cana buyer should care
Buyers arriving from markets where foreigners get 99-year leases, nominee structures or restricted coastal zones often assume something similar applies here. It does not, and that assumption leads people into unnecessary and expensive structures. What still matters is the ordinary work: verify the title, verify liens, use an independent lawyer, and register the transfer.

## Common mix-up
Freehold is not the same as unrestricted use. HOA rules, condominium regulations, zoning and any rental-programme contract still bind you. And maritime-zone rules limit private ownership of the strip immediately at the shoreline, which is why beachfront is usually "beachfront community", not literally the sand.

## FAQ

### Are there restrictions on foreign buyers?
Answer: For ordinary residential property, no ownership restriction based on nationality. Some border and maritime-zone land is treated differently.
Permalink: https://canakeys.com/glossary/freehold#are-there-restrictions-on-foreign-buyers

### Does buying freehold give residency?
Answer: No. Ownership and immigration status are separate processes.
Permalink: https://canakeys.com/glossary/freehold#does-buying-freehold-give-residency

## Related

- [Guide: foreign buyers](https://canakeys.com/guides/foreign-buyers)
- [Residency](https://canakeys.com/residency)
- [The buying process](https://canakeys.com/buying-process)