To date, more than 80 condominium projects have been launched and built under the HDB Executive Condominium (EC) scheme. It is easy to see why: EC buyers enjoy the facilities, lifestyle, and design of condominium living while still benefiting from government subsidies and lower entry prices than those of private condominiums.
However, with these benefits come restrictions and conditions. Here are some key differences prospective homeowners should consider when deciding between buying an EC and a private condominium in Singapore today.
Eligibility To Purchase
To purchase a new EC, buyers must qualify under one of HDB’s eligibility schemes, such as the Public Scheme, Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme, Orphans Scheme or Joint Singles Scheme.
The main applicant must be a Singapore Citizen aged 21 and above, while co-applicants must be either Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents. Under the Joint Singles Scheme, both applicants must be Singapore Citizens aged at least 35.
As with other subsidised housing purchases, applicants must not own or have disposed of any private residential property (locally or overseas) within the past 30 months. In addition, the monthly household income ceiling for buying a new EC is currently $16,000.
In contrast, there are no such eligibility restrictions when purchasing a private condominium.
Read Also: Complete First-Timers’ Guide To Buying A New Executive Condominium (EC) In Singapore
Minimum Occupancy Period (MOP) & Ownership Restrictions
Traditionally, EC owners had to fulfil a 5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) before they could sell their unit or rent out the entire property.
However, in May 2026, the Singapore government announced new measures that will apply to future EC launches on selected sites. Under the revised framework, buyers of these future ECs will need to fulfil a longer 10-year MOP before they can sell their unit, rent out the entire property, or purchase another residential property.
After fulfilling the MOP, EC owners can sell their units only to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. Under the current framework, ECs become fully privatised after 10 years. For future EC projects launched under the revised rules, full privatisation will take place only after 15 years.
In contrast, private condominiums do not have MOP restrictions, and owners are generally free to sell or rent out their units from day one.
Read Also: New EC Rules In Singapore: What A 10-Year MOP Means For Future Executive Condo Buyers
Purchase Priority
To ensure ECs continue serving their original objective of helping Singaporean families own homes, HDB gives priority to first-time buyers during new EC launches.
Previously, developers were required to reserve at least 70% of units for first-time buyers during the initial launch period. In 2026, this quota was increased to 90%, while the priority period for first-time buyers was extended from one month to two years for future EC projects under the new framework.
The remaining units can be sold to second-time buyers, such as HDB upgraders.
In contrast, buyers of private condominiums compete in the open market without allocation quotas or buyer restrictions.
Pricing & Financing
One of the key attractions of ECs is affordability. Eligible first-time buyers can receive CPF Housing Grants of up to $30,000 when purchasing a new EC, while no equivalent government housing grants are available for private condominium purchases.
ECs are also typically priced lower than comparable private condominiums in similar locations, making them attractive for buyers who qualify and are comfortable with the additional restrictions.
In addition, the government announced in 2026 that the Deferred Payment Scheme (DPS) for future EC launches will be removed. This means buyers will need to commit to progressive payments during construction instead of deferring a larger portion of payment until completion.
For both private condominium and ECs, you can only take a bank loan to finance the purchase of your EC, though you may service your monthly repayments using a combination of cash and CPF. If you want to know how to choose the most suitable home loan, you can check out the DollarsAndSense Home Loan Guide.
Read Also: From $1,142 psf To $1,893 psf: How EC Launch Prices Have Changed Since 2021
