As NRIs, Indians working in the Maldives can buy and sell residential and commercial property in India, other than agricultural land and farmhouses, without RBI permission. Purchases must be paid through NRE or NRO accounts or inward remittance. On a sale, the buyer deducts TDS at non-resident rates, which can be reduced with a lower deduction certificate, and proceeds can be repatriated within limits.
- Document route
- Maldivian notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Indian High Commission attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 30 minutes ahead of the Maldives all year
- Rules
- FEMA (Non-Debt Instruments) Rules 2019
- Not allowed to buy
- Agricultural land, plantation, farmhouse
Buying & Selling Property from Maldives: how it works
For a purchase, we search the title for at least 30 years, check approvals and encumbrances, review the builder or seller agreement and payment plan, and complete registration through your attorney holder. For a sale, we review the title you hold, draft the agreement and sale deed, and apply for a lower TDS certificate where the actual gain is small.
After the sale, we coordinate with a chartered accountant for Forms 15CA and 15CB and the remittance of proceeds to your NRE account or abroad. We also advise on capital gains exemptions if you plan to reinvest in another house in India.
What clients in Maldives should know
- Pay for purchases only through banking channels from NRE or NRO accounts.
- Ask for a lower TDS certificate before the sale, not after.
- Keep the original purchase deed and payment proofs for the tax computation.
Step by step from Maldives
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Maldives, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Maldives
Maldivian notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Indian High Commission attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Maldives where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Maldives. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Buying & Selling Property, or see all services for clients in Maldives and the NRI Property Law practice area.
Questions from clients in Maldives
Can I buy a flat in India while working in the Maldives?
Yes, as an NRI, without permission, except agricultural land and farmhouses.
How much TDS will the buyer deduct?
Tax on the gain at non-resident rates, which can be reduced with a lower deduction certificate.
Can I send the sale money to the Maldives?
Yes, within the repatriation limits and after tax, with CA certification.