Skip to contentBuy Land in Cambodia as a Foreigner – Legal Pathways & Investment Strategies
Buy land in Cambodia as a foreigner — it’s possible, legal, and increasingly popular. While Cambodian law restricts direct land ownership to citizens, there are several secure and compliant pathways that allow foreign investors to control, lease, or benefit from land assets. Understanding Cambodia’s land ownership law is the first step toward making a confident and strategic investment.
🇰🇭 Understanding Cambodia’s Land Ownership Law
According to Article 44 of the Cambodian Constitution, only Cambodian citizens or legal entities of Khmer nationality may own land outright. This means foreigners are prohibited from directly owning land in their name.
However, Cambodia offers several legal and secure pathways that allow foreigners to buy land in Cambodia as a foreigner through leaseholds, nominee structures, landholding companies, and trusts.
1. Landholding Company (LHC) – The Corporate Route
Foreigners can legally control land in Cambodia by forming a Landholding Company (LHC). This is a joint venture where:
A Cambodian national(s) holds 51% of the shares
The foreigner holds up to 49%
Through legal agreements, such as Power of Attorney, the foreign shareholder can retain full operational control of the company and its assets.
🔒 Benefits:
Legal ownership under Cambodian law
Strong control mechanisms for the foreign investor
Suitable for large-scale land development or long-term holding
⚠️ Considerations:
Higher setup and annual compliance costs
Tax implications on asset disposal
📌 Need help setting up a compliant LHC? Use our Land Advisory Service to structure your investment securely.
👤 2. Nominee Structure – The Traditional Approach
The nominee structure is a widely used method where a Cambodian citizen holds the land title on behalf of the foreign investor. A trust agreement is signed to ensure the nominee cannot sell or transfer the land without the foreigner’s consent.
🛡️ How to Secure It:
Sign a trust agreement with the nominee
Register a mortgage in the foreigner’s name at the Land Office
Use a professional nominee service to reduce risk
🔗 Learn more about nominee structures from IPS Cambodia
⚠️ Risks:
- Trustworthiness of the nominee
- Legal gray areas if not structured properly
✅ We offer vetted nominee services with legal safeguards. Contact us to learn more.
3. Long-Term Lease – Simple & Secure
Foreigners can enter into long-term lease agreements with Cambodian landowners for up to 50 years, renewable for another 50 years. These leases can be registered with the Land Office and provide legal rights to use and develop the land.
🏗️ Ideal For:
Agricultural projects
Eco-tourism resorts
Commercial development
🔐 Lease Benefits:
Full development rights
Option to mortgage the lease
No need for a Cambodian partner
🔗 Read more about leasehold rights from Khmer Legal
🏦 4. Trust Company – A Modern Legal Framework
Under Cambodia’s Trust Law, foreigners can appoint a licensed trust company to hold land on their behalf. The trustee manages the property for the benefit of the foreign investor (trustor or beneficiary).
💼 Advantages:
Legal recognition under Cambodian law
Professional management and asset protection
Suitable for long-term investment and inheritance planning
📘 Want to learn more? Read our article: Cambodia’s Trusts: Harnessing Foreign Investment for the Future
5. Land Concessions – For Agricultural & Industrial Use
Foreigners can apply for Economic Land Concessions (ELCs), which grant rights to use state land for up to 50 years, renewable. These are typically used for:
Agricultural plantations
Industrial zones
Infrastructure projects
📝 Application Process:
Submit proposal to the Ministry of Agriculture
Reviewed by the Council for the Development of Cambodia
Final approval by the Prime Minister’s Office
⏳ Timeline: 6–9 months for full approval 📏 Size Limit: Up to 10,000 hectares
🇰🇭 6. Cambodian Citizenship – Full Ownership Rights
Foreigners who obtain Cambodian citizenship can legally own land in their name. Citizenship is typically granted through:
Significant investment
Government donations
Long-term residency and contribution to national development
⚠️ Note: This is a rare and selective process, but it offers the most secure path to land ownership.
💍 7. Marrying a Cambodian Citizen
Foreigners married to Cambodian nationals can purchase land under their spouse’s name. However:
The foreigner cannot be listed on the land title unless they also obtain Cambodian citizenship
Legal agreements can be used to protect the foreign spouse’s interest
💡 This method is similar to the nominee structure but within a marital framework.
💼 Work with Adaeng Land – Your Trusted Land Investment Partner
At Adaeng Land, we help foreign investors:
Buy land legally through leaseholds, LHCs, or nominee structures
Secure long-term value through buy-and-hold strategies
Navigate legal compliance with our in-house advisory team
📞 Schedule a free consultation to explore your options
💚 Invest with Purpose: Support the Sao Sary Foundation
At Adaeng Land, we believe that land investment should do more than generate returns — it should uplift lives. That’s why we proudly donate 10% of our profits to the Sao Sary Foundation (SSF), a Cambodian NGO dedicated to protecting vulnerable children and empowering rural communities through education, healthcare, and sustainable development.
Founded in 2006, SSF has impacted over 88,000 children and youth across Cambodia, with a special focus on Kampong Speu Province. Their work spans:
🏫 Education: Operating small-scale schools and literacy programs for children of daily wage workers
🏥 Healthcare: Equipping rural clinics with laptops, printers, and medical tools to modernize care
🚰 Clean Water Access: Building piped water networks for over 15,000 families across 54 villages
🧑🌾 Employment & Empowerment: Creating jobs for youth and supporting sustainable agriculture
🛡️ Child Protection: Identifying at-risk children and providing safe shelter, nutrition, and psychosocial support
This isn’t charity — it’s community investment. Every land deal you make with Adaeng Land helps fund:
📚 School supplies and digital tools for rural classrooms
🩺 Medical equipment for underserved health centers
💧 Clean water infrastructure for remote villages
🏠 Shelter and care for orphans and vulnerable children
“Together, we can build a world where all youth are safe.” — Sao Sary Foundation
🙌 How You Can Help:
Invest through Adaeng Land — every transaction supports SSF’s mission
Make a direct donation — one-time or recurring at saosaryfoundation.org
Start a fundraiser — rally your network to support clean water, education, or healthcare
Share the mission — amplify SSF’s impact through your blog, social media, or business network
❤️ Your investment in land can also be an investment in lives. Let’s build wealth with purpose — and a legacy that lasts.
Final Thoughts: Yes, Foreigners Can Invest in Cambodian Land
Cambodia may restrict direct land ownership for foreigners, but its legal framework is remarkably adaptable for strategic investors. Whether you’re seeking land for agriculture, eco-tourism, industrial infrastructure, or long-term portfolio growth, there are multiple legal pathways to buy land in Cambodia as a foreigner — each with its own advantages and considerations.
From leaseholds and landholding companies to nominee arrangements and trust-based structures, the ability to acquire, control, and develop land is absolutely within reach. These methods have been tested and validated by both institutional investors and private buyers, making Cambodia one of Southeast Asia’s most accessible real estate markets for non-citizens.
But investing isn’t just about ROI — it’s about long-term stability, legal clarity, and positive impact. At Adaeng Land, we bring all three together. We don’t just help you buy land in Cambodia as a foreigner — we help you buy land strategically, with full legal due diligence, local insights, and a heart for community development.
Our commitment to the Sao Sary Foundation means your investment also uplifts vulnerable families in Cambodia through education, healthcare, and social empowerment. It’s more than property. It’s purpose-driven growth.
