For years, one of the most common questions from foreign buyers has been simple Can I actually own property in Cambodia?
The answer has always been yes, but how you structure that ownership is where things matter.
Recent remarks from H.E. Seng Loth of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC) have reinforced four key legal frameworks that foreign nationals can use to secure property in Cambodia.
For many buyers, this won’t be new. These are the same structures already being used across the market today. What this does is bring added clarity and confidence at a national level.
These methods are not “workarounds”. They are established legal frameworks that have been acknowledged and utilized to drive foreign investment into Cambodia’s booming real estate sector.
The Nominee Structure
Historically the most common method for landed property (villas, land, shophouses), the nominee structure involves a Cambodian citizen holding the title on behalf of the foreigner.
- The Legitimacy: H.E. Seng Lot’s acknowledgment of this method provides significant confidence to the market.
- How it Works: While the title is in a local name, the foreigner’s interests are protected through a “security bundle” of contracts, including long-term leases and mortgage agreements that prevent the nominee from selling or transferring the property without the investor’s consent.
Lire la suite : Cambodia’s Nominee Structure for Foreign Buyers – IPS Cambodia
Company Ownership / Trust
This path offers a more corporate or institutional layer of security.
- The Company Path: A foreigner can form a Land Holding Company (LHC) where 51% is held by a Cambodian entity. Through tiered shareholding or private agreements, the foreigner maintains operational control and economic rights.
- The Trust Law (2019): This is the modern “gold standard.” Under the Trust Law, a licensed Trust Company holds the property in a legal trust for the foreign beneficiary. This is a highly regulated, government-monitored method that provides the highest level of legal transparency.
Lire la suite : Purchasing Property Through a Trust in Cambodia
Leasehold (Perpetual Lease)
If direct ownership is not the priority, the long-term lease (Perpetual Lease) is a powerful tool.
- Duration: These leases typically last for 50 years and are renewable.
- Protection: A long-term lease can be registered at the National Cadastral level, meaning the lease right is attached to the title deed itself. This protects the tenant even if the owner sells the land to someone else.
In practice, this provides long-term security that works for many residential and commercial use cases.
Lire la suite : Maximize Your Investment Potential with Perpetual Leases in Cambodia
Other Long-Term Options to Be Aware Of
The Ministry also referenced broader programs aimed at attracting long-term international residents, including Cambodia My 2nd Home (CM2H).
This program offers a long-term visa of up to 10 years and is designed for individuals planning an extended stay in Cambodia. Under this program, a land-holding company is established to hold the property title
What This Means for Foreign Buyers
The message from the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction is clear, Cambodia is not just open for investment; it is legally structured to protect it.
The key takeaway is not that these options are new, but that they are now being clearly reinforced at a national level.
Cambodia’s approach has always been about balancing local land ownership laws with practical access for foreign investors. These four frameworks reflect how that balance is achieved in real-world transactions.
For buyers, the question is no longer whether property ownership is possible, but which foreign ownership structure makes the most sense based on your goals, timeline, and risk level.
At IPS, we have long advised our clients that the Nominee structure, when executed with the correct legal security bundle, is a recognized practice. The recent clarifications from the Ministry of Land Management further solidify this as a stable and legitimate path for landed property investment.
If you’re considering property in Cambodia, getting the structure right from the beginning is what protects your investment long term.
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