Qualifying for CONFOTUR means up to 15 years of zero property tax on your Dominican Republic investment. Here's exactly what documents you need, how long it takes, and the pitfalls to avoid.
The CONFOTUR application process qualifies your Dominican Republic property for 15 years of zero property tax, zero transfer tax, and reduced income tax on rental earnings — saving most buyers $50,000 or more over the exemption period. Getting there requires the right documents, the right sequence, and a clear-eyed sense of the timeline.
Key Takeaways
- CONFOTUR exempts qualifying properties from property tax for 15 years and waives the standard 3% transfer tax
- The application is filed by the developer, not the individual buyer — your job is to purchase within a CONFOTUR-approved project
- Document preparation typically takes 4–8 weeks; government processing adds additional time
- Common pitfalls — missing notarizations, incomplete corporate documents — can delay approval by months
- Sienna Terrenas' legal team manages the entire filing on behalf of buyers
What Is the CONFOTUR Application Process?
How does a buyer actually secure CONFOTUR status — and who files the paperwork?
CONFOTUR is governed by Law 158-01, administered by the Dominican Ministry of Tourism (MITUR). Crucially, CONFOTUR certification is granted at the project level, not the individual buyer level. This means the developer applies for — and receives — approval for the entire development. When you purchase within a certified project, your property inherits that status automatically.
That said, buyers still have documents to provide, steps to follow, and deadlines to meet. Understanding the full sequence protects you from surprises.
The Two Stages of CONFOTUR Certification
| Stage | Who Acts | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Project Certification | Developer | MITUR approves the development for CONFOTUR benefits |
| Individual Property Registration | Buyer + legal team | Your specific title is registered under the approved project |
If you're buying within Sienna Terrenas — which holds CONFOTUR certification — Stage 1 is already complete. Your focus is Stage 2.
Step 1: Confirm Your Project's CONFOTUR Status
Before anything else, verify that the development you're buying into is CONFOTUR-certified.
Ask the developer for their CONFOTUR resolution number issued by MITUR. A reputable developer will provide this document without hesitation. If a sales agent can't produce this number, treat it as a red flag — CONFOTUR status cannot be assumed or promised verbally.
At Sienna, the resolution number is included in every buyer's initial information package. You can also cross-reference approved projects through the MITUR official portal.
What to Check in the Resolution
- The resolution covers your specific lot or villa phase
- The exemption start date and duration (typically 15 years from the resolution)
- Any conditions attached to the certification
Step 2: Gather Your Personal Document Package
What documents does a buyer need to provide for CONFOTUR registration?
Your legal team will require the following to register your property under the approved CONFOTUR resolution. Prepare these in parallel — waiting to gather documents sequentially is one of the most common causes of delay.
For Individual Buyers
- Valid passport (certified copy, all pages)
- Proof of address in your home country (utility bill or bank statement, dated within 90 days)
- Marriage certificate (if purchasing jointly — must be apostilled)
- Tax identification number from your home country
- Source of funds documentation (bank statements covering the purchase amount, typically 3–6 months)
- Power of attorney (if you will not be present in-person for signing — must be notarized and apostilled)
For Corporate Buyers
If you're purchasing through a company or holding structure:
- Certificate of incorporation (apostilled)
- Certificate of good standing
- Corporate resolution authorizing the purchase
- Identification documents for all beneficial owners with 10%+ ownership
"Apostille authentication is the step buyers most often underestimate. In some countries, the apostille process alone takes 3–4 weeks — build that time into your planning from day one." — Sienna Legal Team
Step 3: Title Search and Due Diligence
Can you skip due diligence if the project is already CONFOTUR-certified?
No — and this is a common misconception. CONFOTUR certification applies to the project; title due diligence protects you as an individual buyer. The two are separate processes that run concurrently.
Your attorney will conduct:
- Title verification at the Registro de Títulos (Title Registry)
- Lien and encumbrance search to confirm no outstanding debts attach to the property
- Boundary and survey confirmation against the registered plan
- Seller identity verification — confirming the seller has legal standing to transfer
For a deeper walk-through of the legal process, the complete legal guide to foreign property purchase in Dominican Republic covers each step in detail.
Timeline for Due Diligence
Expect 3–6 weeks for a clean title search. Complex titles or older properties can take longer. Pre-construction purchases at Sienna involve a master title held by the developer, which typically speeds this phase.
Step 4: Sign the Promise of Sale Agreement
Once due diligence is clear, buyer and seller execute a Promesa de Compraventa — the binding promise-of-sale contract. This document:
- Locks in the purchase price and payment schedule
- Specifies which CONFOTUR resolution governs the property
- Sets the completion date for title transfer
- Includes your $5,000 refundable deposit credit toward the total
This contract is prepared by your attorney and the developer's legal team, signed before a Dominican notary, and registered with the tax authority DGII.
Step 5: Complete the Title Transfer
How long does the actual title transfer take in the Dominican Republic?
The formal transfer — called a traspaso — happens after full payment (or at the point specified in your financing agreement). Your attorney files the transfer deed at the Registro de Títulos.
Standard timeline: 6–12 weeks from filing to receiving your new title certificate. Government processing times can fluctuate, so build a buffer into any plans that depend on a specific date.
Once the title is in your name and linked to the CONFOTUR resolution, your exemptions are active. The DGII property-tax schedule will reflect your registered exemption status.
What Your CONFOTUR Status Covers at This Point
| Benefit | Standard Rate | Your CONFOTUR Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Annual property tax (IPI) | 1% of assessed value | 0% for 15 years |
| Transfer tax | 3% of purchase price | 0% |
| Rental income tax (first $27,000/yr) | Standard rate applies | 0% |
For a full breakdown of how these savings compound over 15 years, the CONFOTUR tax advantage explained article walks through the numbers in detail.
Thinking about how CONFOTUR affects your specific numbers? Use our ROI tools to model your projected savings based on the property type and price point you're considering — no pressure, no commitment.
Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)
What are the most frequent mistakes buyers make during the CONFOTUR process?
After working with buyers from over 20 countries, the Sienna team sees the same delays appear repeatedly. Here's what to watch for:
- Skipping apostille early. Documents need apostille authentication before they're valid in the DR. This takes weeks in many countries — start immediately.
- Purchasing outside a certified project. Some buyers discover after signing that their developer's CONFOTUR application was pending, not approved. Verify the resolution number before any deposit.
- Using a general-practice attorney. Dominican property law and CONFOTUR registration require specialists. A general attorney unfamiliar with the Registro de Títulos process can cause months of rework.
- Incomplete corporate structures. Buyers purchasing through a holding company frequently submit incomplete corporate resolutions or outdated certificates of good standing.
- Assuming the developer handles everything. The developer files project-level certification. Your individual registration requires your own attorney's active involvement.
How Professional Assistance Changes the Outcome
Is it worth hiring a dedicated legal team for the CONFOTUR process?
The honest answer is yes — and not only because the process is complex. The cost of errors (re-filing fees, delays in your exemption start date, title complications) consistently exceeds the cost of proper legal representation from the outset.
At Sienna, the legal team manages CONFOTUR registration on behalf of every buyer as part of the turnkey purchase process. This includes document review, coordination with MITUR and DGII, and confirmation that your exemption is properly registered before you receive your title.
Buyers who arrive with their document package already prepared — passports, apostilled documents, source-of-funds statements — move significantly faster through the process.
Your CONFOTUR Application Timeline at a Glance
| Phase | Duration | Who Leads |
|---|---|---|
| Document gathering & apostille | 4–8 weeks | Buyer (with attorney guidance) |
| Title search & due diligence | 3–6 weeks | Attorney |
| Promise of sale signing | 1–2 weeks | Attorney + Developer |
| Payment & transfer filing | 1–2 weeks | Attorney + DGII |
| Title registry processing | 6–12 weeks | Registro de Títulos |
| CONFOTUR exemption confirmed | At title issuance | Attorney |
Total from document start to confirmed exemption: approximately 4–6 months for a straightforward purchase in a certified project. Complex situations — corporate buyers, financed purchases, resale properties — may take longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for CONFOTUR myself, or do I need an attorney?
Individual buyers cannot file CONFOTUR registrations independently — the process requires a Dominican attorney to interact with MITUR, DGII, and the Registro de Títulos on your behalf. Attempting to navigate these agencies without legal representation almost always results in delays and refiled paperwork.
Does CONFOTUR apply to pre-construction purchases?
Yes. If the developer holds a valid CONFOTUR resolution that covers your lot or villa phase, your exemption begins once your title is issued — regardless of whether the property was purchased pre-construction. Confirm that your specific phase is included in the resolution, not just the broader project.
What happens to CONFOTUR status if I sell the property before 15 years?
The exemption is tied to the property and the resolution, not to the individual owner. A buyer who purchases from you during the active exemption period generally inherits the remaining CONFOTUR years — making CONFOTUR-certified properties more attractive on the resale market. Consult your attorney for the specifics of your resolution.
What if I'm buying through a Dominican corporation (SRL)?
Corporate purchases are common and fully legal. The corporation must be properly formed under Dominican law, with documentation in order. Your attorney will verify that the corporate structure meets DGII requirements and that all beneficial owners are correctly identified for compliance purposes.
Are there properties that qualify for CONFOTUR that Sienna doesn't sell?
CONFOTUR applies to tourism-zone developments across the Dominican Republic, not exclusively to Sienna. However, not every development in Las Terrenas holds certification — and some that have applied are still awaiting resolution. Always verify status before purchasing anywhere. See our property listings to confirm which Sienna phases are currently certified.
Before You Move Forward
The CONFOTUR process is straightforward when you're working within a certified project with experienced legal support. The documentation requirements are real but manageable — and the payoff, $50,000 or more in tax savings over 15 years, makes the effort worthwhile many times over.
The single most important decision you make in this process is choosing a certified project. Everything else — documents, timelines, registrations — follows a predictable path from there.
Curious how these savings apply to a specific Sienna property? Schedule a no-pressure consultation with our team — we'll walk through the CONFOTUR numbers for the lot or villa type you're considering, with no obligation to move forward. Or take the investment assessment quiz to find the property profile that fits your goals and timeline.
Have questions about this?
Talk to our sales team directly — we'll answer on WhatsApp or by phone.
Written by
Ana
Ana is part of the Sienna Terrenas advisory team, focused on investment planning, CONFOTUR tax strategy, and what the numbers mean for international buyers. Meet the Sienna Terrenas team.
