How much down payment do you need for your HDB?

» Read more on how to save money for a flat before your 35th birthday

Minimum down payments for different HDB flat types

The most significant factor in your hdb loan downpayment is the choice of your financier. The Loan-to-Value (LTV) limit—which dictates how much you can borrow—has been adjusted to maintain housing stability in 2026.

Flat Type	Loan Type	Down Payment Required	Payment Method	When to Pay
BTO Flats	HDB Loan	25% of the purchase price	CPF-OA or Cash	During the signing of the lease agreement.
		If on Staggered Scheme: 5% at signing, 20% at key collection.
	Bank Loan	a) 25% (for loans up to 75%) b) 45% (for loans up to 55%)	a) Up to 20% CPF. Min. 5% in cash. b) Up to 35% CPF. Min. 10% in cash.	Check with bank (usually a portion at lease signing and the rest at key collection).
Resale Flats	HDB Loan	25% of the purchase price	CPF-OA or Cash	Using CPF: Upon confirming your financial plan through HDB Resale Portal. Cash: Cashier’s Order at resale completion appointment.
	Bank Loan	a) 25% (for loan up to 75%) b) 45% (for loan up to 55%)	a) Up to 20% CPF and 5% in cash. b) Up to 35% CPF and 10% in cash.	Check with bank (usually settled during the completion appointment).
Executive Condos (EC)	HDB Loan	Not applicable	HDB loan is not available for ECs.	N/A
	Bank Loan	a) 25% (for loan up to 75%) b) 45% (for loan up to 55%)	a) Up to 20% CPF and 5% in cash. b) Up to 35% CPF and 10% in cash.	Check with bank (Progressive Payment for new ECs; Completion for Resale ECs).

Down payment requirements for a HDB loan

Note: The HDB Loan LTV was reduced to 75% in recent cooling measures to encourage financial prudence. This means your down payment for hdb via an HDB loan is now equal to that of a bank loan in terms of percentage.

HDB Loan Downpayment: Using CPF vs Cash

If you opt for an HDB concessionary loan, the hdb loan downpayment is 25% of the purchase price. The advantage of an HDB loan is flexibility; you can pay the entire 25% using your CPF Ordinary Account (OA) savings.

If your CPF OA balance is insufficient, you must pay the remaining balance in cash. However, if your CPF OA covers the full 25%, your cash outlay for the downpayment can literally be $0.

Current Rates (Q2 2026):

• HDB Interest Rate: 2.60% (Fixed at 0.1% above the CPF OA rate).

• CPF OA Interest Rate: 2.50%.

Bank Loan Downpayment: The Cash Requirement

When taking a bank loan, the down payment for hdb remains 25%, but the composition is stricter. You must pay at least 5% in hard cash. The remaining 20% can be a combination of CPF OA and cash.

This is a critical consideration for young couples who may have high CPF contributions but limited liquid cash.

Staggered Downpayment Scheme

For couples who are still building their savings, HDB offers the Staggered Downpayment Scheme. This allows you to split your down payment for hdb into two stages.

For HDB Loans (75% LTV):

1. At Signing of Agreement for Lease: 5% (CPF or Cash)

2. At Key Collection: 20% (CPF or Cash)

For Bank Loans (75% LTV):

1. At Signing of Agreement for Lease: 10% (5% must be Cash)

2. At Key Collection: 15% (CPF or Cash)

Housing Grants: Reducing your Outlay

To help Singaporeans manage the higher 25% downpayment requirement, the government has enhanced the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG).

• Max EHG for Families: Up to $120,000

• Max EHG for Singles: Up to $60,000

These grants are credited into your CPF OA and can be used directly to offset the hdb loan downpayment. For many lower-to-middle income families, the EHG can cover a significant portion (or even the entirety) of the initial 5% or 10% required during the staggered payment process.

New Flat Classifications: Standard, Plus, and Prime

As of the October 2024 framework (fully in effect in 2026), BTO flats are no longer classified as "Mature" or "Non-Mature." They are now categorized as Standard, Plus, or Prime.

• Standard Flats: Standard 5-year MOP.

• Plus & Prime Flats: 10-year MOP and a subsidy recovery (a percentage of the resale price returned to HDB upon sale).

While the how much downpayment for hdb remains 25% across all three, Prime and Plus flats often come with higher additional subsidies to keep the purchase price affordable, which in turn reduces the absolute dollar amount of your 25% downpayment.

Other Costs to Consider

Beyond the downpayment, ensure you budget for:

• Stamp Duty: Calculated based on the purchase price.

• Legal Fees: Varying depending on HDB or private legal counsel.

• HFE Letter: You must have a valid HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter before booking a flat.

» Find out about how much you can borrow for your home loan in Singapore 

Factors that affect your HDB down payment

When you're considering purchasing an HDB flat, several factors will influence the down payment for hdb you need to make. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect in 2026:

Type of loan

• HDB loan: Requires a 25% down payment for all flat types (BTO, resale). This was adjusted from the previous 20% to encourage financial prudence.

• Bank loan: Offers a hdb loan downpayment of 25% for loans up to 75% LTV. However, if you choose a lower LTV of 55%, you will face a higher downpayment of 45%.

• No loan options: For Executive Condominiums (ECs), HDB loans are not applicable. You must secure a bank loan, which necessitates at least a 5% cash component.

Using CPF for your HDB down payment

One of the advantages of buying a flat in Singapore is the option to use your CPF Ordinary Account (CPF-OA) to pay for your down payment for hdb.

• CPF-OA usage: This can be used to pay for the majority of the down payment, significantly reducing the cash amount you need to pay.

• For BTO and resale flats: If you take an HDB loan, you can use up to 100% of the 25% downpayment from your CPF funds, provided you have sufficient savings. This allows for a $0 cash outlay in many cases.

Staggered Downpayment Scheme (SDS)

If you're purchasing an uncompleted BTO flat, you may benefit from the Staggered Downpayment Scheme, which allows you to split your hdb loan downpayment into two stages:

• Stage 1: Pay 5% at the signing of the lease agreement.

• Stage 2: Pay the remaining 20% when collecting your keys.

• Eligibility: This applies to first-timer couples (including those qualifying for the Deferred Income Assessment) and helps ease the immediate financial burden by spreading the down payment for hdb over several years of construction.

Property type (BTO, Resale, EC)

The type of flat you choose will also impact how much downpayment for hdb is required:

• BTO: 25% downpayment, fully payable via CPF (if using HDB loan).

• Resale: 25% downpayment. Note that for resale flats, if the purchase price is above the HDB valuation, the difference (Cash-Over-Valuation or COV) must be paid strictly in cash.

• EC: HDB loans are not allowed; bank loan downpayments range from 25% to 45%, with a mandatory 5% to 10% cash component.

Government schemes and assistance

If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you may be eligible for the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) of up to $120,000. These grants are credited to your CPF-OA and can be used to directly offset the hdb loan downpayment, making homeownership more accessible.

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How much can you borrow for your HDB loan?

The amount you can borrow for your HDB flat is mainly determined by the Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio, which reflects the percentage of the flat’s purchase price or valuation that the bank or HDB is willing to lend you.

As of April 2026, the LTV for HDB loans is capped at 75%. This means you'll need to account for a down payment for hdb of at least 25% from your own funds (either in CPF or cash).

Several other factors also influence the loan amount you can qualify for:

• Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR): For HDB flats, your monthly loan repayment cannot exceed 30% of your gross monthly household income. This often limits the loan amount more than the LTV does.

• Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR): Your total monthly debt obligations (car loans, credit cards, etc.) must not exceed 55% of your income.

• Financial profile: This includes your income level, employment stability, and creditworthiness.

• Remaining Lease: If the flat's lease does not cover the youngest buyer until age 95, the LTV and the amount of CPF you can use for the hdb loan downpayment will be pro-rated.

Evaluating these factors is crucial to understanding how much downpayment for hdb is required and ensuring your loan is manageable in line with your long-term financial commitments.