Residency deferral in land transaction permit zones (토지거래허가구역) extended to December 31, 2027 — effective October 1, 2026
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The special deferral of the residency obligation for homes in land transaction permit zones is extended by 1 year. The application deadline is December 31, 2027, and deferral applications can be made from October 1, 2026.
Key facts
| Application deadline | December 31, 2026 → December 31, 2027 (extended by 1 year) |
|---|---|
| Applications open | From October 1, 2026 — advance notice of the Enforcement Decree amendment from September 18 |
| Scope of deferral | Remaining lease period → expanded to include a renewed contract (limited to 1 renewal, up to 2 years) |
| Buyer requirements | Limited to those who have continuously owned no home since May 12, 2026 (same as the May 2026 measure) |
| Residency obligation | Must live in the home for 2 years after moving in (same as the May 2026 measure) |
| Special case for purchased rental apartments | For purchased rental apartments in areas subject to adjustment (조정대상지역), where the starting point of the period for tax benefits is adjusted to the end date of the mandatory rental period or the date of the transfer notice, applications can be made for 15 months from that point |
| Inquiries | Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Land Policy Division 044-201-5276, 044-201-3402 |
Last checked:
On September 17, 2026, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said that, to ease transaction conditions for homes under lease in land transaction permit zones (토지거래허가구역), it will give advance notice of an amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Real Estate Transaction Reporting Act (부동산 거래신고법) from September 18 and put it into effect from October 1. The deadline for applying for deferral of the residency requirement is extended by 1 year, from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2027, and the scope of the deferral is expanded from the remaining lease period to include a renewed contract (limited to 1 renewal, up to 2 years). The buyer requirements and the residency obligation remain the same as in the May 2026 measure: buyers are limited to those who have continuously owned no home since May 12, 2026, and must live in the home for 2 years after moving in.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Who can apply for the residency deferral?
It is limited to buyers who have continuously owned no home since May 12, 2026, and they must live in the home for 2 years after moving in.
Does the deferral cover a renewed contract?
Under the May 2026 measure, moving in was deferred only for the remaining period of the current tenant's lease, but with this measure a renewed contract (limited to 1 renewal, up to 2 years) is also covered by the residency deferral in addition to the remaining period.
When can applications be made?
The residency deferral can be applied for from October 1, 2026.