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Can foreigners buy property in Siem Reap?

Yes, within limits. Foreigners can own condominium units by strata title, up to 70% of a building, and can hold houses and land through long leases or a Cambodian company.

Damnek editorialUpdated 13 Oct 20262 min read
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On this page
  1. What foreigners can own
  2. Houses and land
  3. Siem Reap specifics
  4. Steps before you pay
  5. Sources

General information as of 8 October 2026, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with a licensed Cambodian lawyer or the authority before you sign or pay.

What foreigners can own

  • Condominium units. Under Cambodia's 2010 law on foreign ownership of property, a foreign national can own a unit in a condominium with a strata title. Units start from the first floor upwards, because the ground floor is reserved for Cambodians.
  • The 70% cap. Foreign ownership in any single building is limited to 70% of the total floor area of private units. Before you buy, confirm the cap has not already been used up.
  • No land. The 2001 Land Law does not allow foreigners to own land.

Houses and land

For villas, houses and land, the usual options are:

  1. A long-term lease, typically up to 50 years with renewal options, registered properly.
  2. A Cambodian company in which Cambodians hold at least 51%, set up and run lawfully.

Informal "nominee" arrangements, where a Cambodian friend holds the title for you, are widely warned against. They can leave you with no legal claim.

Siem Reap specifics

Planning and height restrictions around the Angkor area mean there are few condominium projects that qualify. One 2026 review counts just three major eligible developments. Expect a short list, and expect that landed property will be the larger part of what you see.

Steps before you pay

  1. Ask for the title and confirm its type (see the guide on hard and soft title).
  2. Hire an independent Cambodian lawyer, not the seller's or agent's.
  3. Check the 70% cap for a condominium, or the lease terms for landed property.
  4. Budget for transfer costs and time. One 2026 buyer guide gives roughly 4% transfer tax and about 12 weeks for registration.
  5. Look at our foreigner-eligible filter on Buy to see listings that agents say qualify, then verify each claim yourself.

Sources

Damnek editorial

Plain-language notes on buying, renting and owning property in Siem Reap, written from public sources that are linked at the end of each post.

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Questions people ask3

Can a foreigner own land in Cambodia?

No. Under the 2001 Land Law, foreign nationals cannot own land. The 2010 law on foreign ownership of property allows them to own condominium units with a strata title.

What is the 70% rule?

Foreign ownership in one building is capped at 70% of the total floor area of the private units. The ground floor is reserved for Cambodians.

What is the safest way to buy a house?

A registered long-term lease, typically up to 50 years with renewal options, is the common route. Avoid informal nominee arrangements and take independent legal advice.

Keep reading

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Can foreigners buy property in Siem Reap? — Damnek