Islands for sale in Maldives Islands

While direct ownership of an entire island in the Maldives by a foreigner is not permitted, there are still avenues to achieve your dream of having a piece of this paradise. Here's what you need to know:

Leasehold Options:
Long-term Leases: The most common way for foreigners to acquire rights over an island is through long-term leases, typically ranging from 50 to 99 years.

Government Leases: The Maldivian government periodically leases islands for resort development. These leases require the investor to develop the island for tourism purposes within a specific timeframe (usually around 36 months).

Private Leases: You might also find existing leaseholds on islands from local or foreign investors who are looking to sell their lease rights.

 

Acquisition/Lease Cost: The initial cost to lease an island can vary significantly based on factors like size, location, natural features (beaches, reefs), and accessibility to the main airport in Malé. Prices can range from $2 million to upwards of $200 million. Islands further from Malé are generally less expensive.

Annual Rent: In addition to the initial lease cost, there's an annual land rent payable to the government, typically around $8 per square meter, but this can be negotiable.

Development Costs: If you're leasing an undeveloped island, you'll need to factor in the substantial costs of building a resort or private villas, which can range significantly depending on the scale and luxury of the project. The government may stipulate a minimum investment for tourism development (e.g., at least $250,000 in some cases).

Taxes and Fees: Be aware of additional costs such as registration fees, Value Added Tax (GST) which is currently 16% on sales, and a Green Tax of $6 per person per night for tourists.

Tourism Development: The Maldivian government's primary interest in leasing islands to foreigners is to boost tourism. Therefore, any lease agreement will likely require tourism-related development.