How does buying a new project or off-plan property in Amman work?
You sign a contract with a developer, usually paying in stages, and title passes only when the Department of Lands and Survey registers the transfer. Jordanian academic studies say the law lacks specific off-plan protection, so check the land, the permits and the contract. Buying from a developer has the lowest residency threshold, JD 200,000.
Sources: Department of Lands and Survey · University of Jordan study · Zarqa University abstract · Invest Jordan
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How buying a new project in Amman works, step by step
- Step 1
Choose the project and developer
Shortlist by area, price per m² and the developer's delivered projects. Visit completed ones. - Step 2
Verify the land and permits
Check the plot's title and the project's permits and zoning with the Department of Lands and Survey and the municipality. - Step 3
Read the contract
Delivery date, specification, penalties for delay, payment schedule and how title transfers should be written down clearly. - Step 4
Pay in stages, with receipts
Follow the schedule, keep every receipt and avoid large payments before key milestones. - Step 5
Inspect and register
Inspect on handover, list defects, and complete the transfer at the Department of Lands and Survey, paying the 3% fee and 3% tax.
The risks of buying off-plan in Jordan, and how to check them
- Delays or cancellation
Construction can be late or never finish. Ask for the delivery date and the penalty if it is missed. - Developer insolvency
Academic studies say Jordanian law lacks specific protection if a developer fails, so check finances and track record. - Unregistered sales
Paying without a registered promise to sell can leave you with no legal title. Ask your lawyer how the sale is protected. - Changes to the specification
Get the finishes, size and layout in the contract and compare on handover. - Hidden costs
Ask about registration, service charges, parking and utility connection fees. - Resale difficulty
Off-plan contracts may restrict transfer before completion; ask what is allowed.
Questions to ask a developer in Amman
- Who owns the land and is it free of mortgages?
Ask for the title deed and check it with the Department. - Which permits does the project hold?
Ask for the building permit and approved plans. - What have you delivered before?
Visit completed projects and speak to owners. - Where does my money go?
Ask whether payments sit in a dedicated project account. - When is handover, and what if it is late?
Get the date and the penalty in the contract. - When does title transfer to me?
Ask for the registration milestone and who pays the fees.
Costs, payment plans and residency
Fees and tax
A registration fee of up to 3% and a 3% property sale tax apply, with the split agreed between you and the developer.Payment plans
Instalment plans are common but vary widely. Compare the total cost with a bank mortgage at around 6.81%.Residency
Buying from a developer carries the lowest property threshold for five-year residency, JD 200,000.More ways to buy in Amman
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How does buying off-plan work in Amman?
You sign a contract with a developer to buy a unit before it is finished, usually paying in stages. Title only passes when the Department of Lands and Survey registers the transfer, normally after completion. Two Jordanian academic studies say the law has no specific off-plan provisions, so protection rests on your contract and general property law. Off-plan buying guide →
Is it safe to buy off-plan in Jordan?
It carries more risk than buying a finished home: delays, changes, developer failure and unregistered sales. You can lower it by checking the developer's delivered projects, the land title and permits, paying in stages against milestones, and having a lawyer review the contract. This is general information, not legal advice. Due diligence checklist →
Is it better to buy ready or off-plan in Amman?
Ready apartments let you inspect what you are paying for and move in sooner. Off-plan can offer a lower entry price or a payment plan, but you carry delivery and developer risk. Compare the price per square metre with ready apartments, which ask a median of about JD 1,000. Ready apartments →
Can I buy a new apartment in Amman with instalments?
Many developers and some private sellers offer instalment plans, and 'apartments for sale with 10,000 down and the rest in instalments' is a regular Jordanian search (about 170 to 210 Google AI Overview prompts a month). Get the schedule, penalties and the date title transfers in writing, and compare the total with a bank mortgage at around 6.81%. Apartments for sale →
Do I get residency for buying from a developer in Jordan?
Buying from a developer or housing company has the lowest property threshold: JD 200,000, against JD 300,000 from another seller and JD 150,000 outside the Capital Governorate, under the Cabinet's July 2026 amendments. Residency lasts five years and the property must be kept for five years without being sold or mortgaged. Residency by property →
What fees does a buyer pay in Jordan?
Two main charges apply to a normal sale: a land registration fee of 3% of the estimated value, set by the 2023 amendment to the registration fees law, and a property sale tax of 3%, reduced from 4%. Who pays each is agreed between buyer and seller. Agent, lawyer and valuation fees come on top. Confirm current rates with the Department of Lands and Survey. Registration fees explained →
Can foreigners buy property in Jordan?
Yes, with permission. The Minister of Interior must approve a non-Jordanian's request to buy property. Reciprocity applies, though holders of Arab nationalities are exempt, and non-Jordanians are barred from owning in border, archaeological and historic areas. Law No. 17 of 2026, published in the Official Gazette in September 2026 and in force from about October 2026, also lets non-Jordanians own or lease a private residence outside urban planning zones, up to 10 dunums, with the Finance Minister's approval. Read the buying guide →
How do I check a developer before buying in Amman?
Visit completed projects, check the land title and permits yourself, ask where payments are held, and have a Jordanian lawyer review the contract. Ask the developer for delivery dates on past projects and compare them with what actually happened.