Maldives
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ENTRY FROM
€219 900
hotel units, serviced residences, and villas
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YIELD
7–10%
A benchmark for individual resort projects
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KEY PRINCIPLE
not freehold
A right arising from the Primary Resort Lease—a sublease or a contractual right
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RESIDENCY
Not provided
Purchasing a unit does not confer immigration status
Why Maldives
The international resort market with a passive operating model—the investor typically does not manage the property independently; the unit is part of a hotel management company or a rental pool.
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Primary Resort Lease
The government transfers the island to the primary lessee; the investor’s right is derivative.
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Passive model
The operator monitors sales, rates, expenses, and revenue allocation.
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International tourist demand
Demand drives global tourism flows and the luxury hotel segment.
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Income in foreign currency
Prices and payments in the tourism sector are often quoted in USD.
What the investor actually acquires
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Registered sublease
The immediate right to lease a specific villa, as provided for in the Primary Resort Lease agreement.
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Contractual unit
The right to use and receive payments without a separate title deed.
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SPV / share ownership
Shares of a company that holds leasehold or contractual rights.
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Branded residence
It depends on the brand license, HMA, and the terms for removing the brand.
Key atolls
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PRIORITY
North / South Male'
Fast transfer, simple logistics
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PREMIUM
Baa Atoll
Premium segment, environmentally sensitive environment
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PREMIUM
Raa / Noonu
New luxury resorts and branded residences
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SELECTIVE
Ari Atoll
A strong diving profile, international tourist traffic
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ENHANCED CHECK
Gaafu Dhaalu and the southern atolls
Increased logistics costs
Taxes and Expenses
| Tax | Rate | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TGST | 17% | The purchase tax is not a one-size-fits-all tax—it depends on the structure of the transaction |
| Withholding tax | possibly 10% | It depends on the classification of the payment (rent, dividend, service payment) |
| Green Tax | operational | This refers to guest accommodations, not the purchase of a unit |
| Resale | individually | It depends on the structure (sublease, SPV, offshore holding) |
A foreign investor does not acquire full ownership (freehold) of an island or land. The right is formalized as a leasehold or sublease, a corporate or contractual interest, and is limited to the remaining term of the resort’s primary lease (Primary Resort Lease).
How We Help
The full cycle—from candidate selection to closing the deal.
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Property Selection
We compare the budget, investment horizon, type of rights, and operating model.
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Legal and project review
Coordination of the work of a Maldivian attorney, hospitality-specialist and environmental expert.
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Transaction support
Review of contracts, approvals, bank routing, and advance payment safeguards.
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Post-purchase support
Interaction with the operator, verification of reports, payments, and resales.
A return of 7–10% is a guideline and depends on the legal structure, the resort’s performance, the operator, and expenses. The purchase does not grant a residence permit, permanent residence, or citizenship.