Cambodia Real Estate 2025: Foreign Ownership, Laws & Best Cities to Invest
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8/5/2025
✅ Can Foreigners Buy Property in Cambodia?
Yes — foreigners can legally own condominiums and apartments freehold. However, foreigners cannot directly own land or landed houses.
🏢 Condominium ownership is fully permitted, provided the building is registered with the government.
⚖️ Foreign Ownership Laws in Cambodia (2025)
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Foreigners may own up to 70% of the total units in a condominium building (the remaining 30% must be Cambodian-owned)
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Land ownership is prohibited for foreigners, but long-term leases (up to 50 years with renewal) are common for landed properties
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Condominium developments must be officially registered and licensed to allow foreign ownership
🏙️ Top Cities to Invest in Cambodia
🔹 1. Phnom Penh
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Capital and economic center
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Strong demand for condos, serviced apartments, and office spaces
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Infrastructure improving with new highways, metro, and commercial zones
🔹 2. Siem Reap
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Tourist hotspot due to Angkor Wat
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Growing short-term rental market and boutique hotel projects
🔹 3. Sihanoukville
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Coastal city with port and casino developments
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High-risk but potentially high-reward market, with growing infrastructure
🔹 4. Kampot
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Emerging destination with eco-tourism and boutique resorts
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Affordable property with future upside
💰 Property Prices in 2025
| City | Avg. Price (USD/sqm) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Phnom Penh | $1,500–$3,000 | Prime condos, new builds |
| Siem Reap | $800–$1,500 | Boutique hotels, rentals |
| Sihanoukville | $1,200–$2,500 | Coastal resorts |
| Kampot | $500–$1,000 | Affordable eco-living |
📈 Rental Yields & ROI
| Location | Long-Term Yield | Short-Term Rental ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Phnom Penh | 5–7% | 7–10% |
| Siem Reap | 6–8% | 9–12% |
| Sihanoukville | 4–6% | 6–8% |
| Kampot | 5–7% | 7–9% |
🛠️ Buying Process for Foreigners
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Confirm property is in a registered condominium allowing foreign ownership
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Negotiate and sign sales agreement
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Pay deposit and conduct due diligence (title verification, developer reputation)
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Register ownership with the Cambodian Ministry of Land Management
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Complete full payment and obtain land title certificate (for condo unit)
⏱️ Timeline: Typically 30–60 days
🧾 Taxes & Fees
| Tax/Cost | Rate/Details |
|---|---|
| Transfer Tax | 4% of property value |
| Property Tax | 0.1% annually on assessed value |
| Capital Gains Tax | None officially, but 20% withholding on resale applies |
| VAT on New Builds | 10% applicable on developers |
| Stamp Duty | 0.1%–0.2% on sale documents |
🛂 Residency & Visa
❌ Buying property does not grant residency or citizenship.
Foreign investors must apply for relevant visas separately. Many use business or investor visas to live and operate in Cambodia.
🏘️ Who Should Invest in Cambodia?
✅ Ideal for:
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Investors seeking high-growth emerging markets
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Buyers interested in affordable condos with good yields
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Developers and speculators looking for rapid urbanization plays
❌ Not ideal for:
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Buyers needing secure land ownership
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Investors wanting mature, highly regulated markets
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Those risk-averse to governance or infrastructure challenges
🔮 2025 Market Trends
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Urbanization driving condo demand in Phnom Penh
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Tourism rebound fueling Siem Reap and coastal resort growth
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Sihanoukville undergoing major transformation, but with market volatility
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Increasing government interest in regulating property and investment flows
🧭 Final Thoughts
Cambodia offers a fast-growing real estate market with low entry costs and legal foreign condominium ownership. While land ownership remains restricted, the condo market presents solid rental yields and capital appreciation potential.
Foreign investors should engage local legal counsel and focus on registered developments to minimize risk.
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