Foreign nationals resident outside India generally cannot buy property and may only acquire it by inheritance. People of Indian origin, including NRIs and OCI cardholders, can buy residential and commercial property (but not agricultural land, plantations or farmhouses), paying strictly through Indian banking channels.
Before you buy in India, always:
General guidance only — rules change; confirm the current position with a qualified local lawyer.
Our free ownership checker and the Overseas Property Playbook walk through how foreign ownership works step by step — the questions to ask and the traps to sidestep.
Note that non-resident foreigners generally cannot buy — this mainly suits OCI or PIO holders; for those eligible, stamp duty is set by each state at roughly 3-7% (about 3% in Goa, 5-6% in Karnataka or Maharashtra), plus around 1% registration and legal fees, with funds moving through Indian banking channels. Deeds are registered at the local sub-registrar's office.
Goa for beaches and a long-established, laid-back Western scene; Kerala and Kochi for the greener, calmer south; French-flavoured coastal Puducherry; and cosmopolitan Bengaluru for its mild climate and strong private healthcare.
Private hospitals in the big cities (Apollo, Fortis, Max) are modern and very good, with English-speaking doctors and costs far below the UK, while the public system is overstretched. Most expats take private or international insurance, which is affordable by Western standards though premiums climb with age. English is very widely spoken as a link language in business and education, and they drive on the left; traffic is chaotic and normal care pays off, but the expat-favoured areas are settled and friendly.
Thinking seriously about India?
Two honest Brits, a private call, and straight answers — see if a freehold home abroad is a fit for you.
See if you qualify →