Skip to content 🌍 Foreign Ownership & Land Acquisition in Cambodia (2025 Guide)
Legal Pathways, Risks & Strategic Options for International Investors
Cambodia’s real estate market continues to attract global attention in 2025, thanks to its strategic location, investor-friendly policies, and rapid urban development. But one legal reality remains unchanged: Foreigners cannot directly own land in Cambodia.
That doesn’t mean you can’t invest. It means you need to understand the legal structures that allow you to control, lease, or develop land securely—without violating Cambodian law.
This guide breaks down:
Legal restrictions on foreign land ownership
5 secure methods to acquire land rights
Risks to avoid (like nominee structures)
How Adaeng Land Co., Ltd helps you invest legally and confidently
⚖️ What the Law Says About Foreign Land Ownership
Under Cambodia’s 1993 Constitution and Land Law:
“Only natural persons or legal entities of Khmer nationality have the right to own land.”
This means:
Foreign individuals cannot hold land titles
Foreign companies must be majority Khmer-owned to own land
Violating this law can result in land forfeiture
However, Cambodia’s legal framework offers alternative ownership pathways that are 100% legal and widely used by international investors.
🛣️ 5 Legal Ways Foreigners Can Acquire Land Rights in Cambodia
1. Landholding Company (LHC)
A Landholding Company is the most secure and popular method for foreign investors.
- Foreigners own 49% of shares
- Cambodian partners hold 51% (on paper)
- Legal agreements give full control to the foreign investor
✅ Benefits:
- Full operational control via shareholder agreements
- Eligible for land title registration
- Can lease, develop, or resell land legally
⚠️ Risks:
- Requires strong legal documentation
- Must comply with tax and reporting obligations
💡 Adaeng Land helps you set up LHCs with enforceable shareholder protections and nominee waivers.
2. Long-Term Lease (Leasehold)
Foreigners can lease land for up to 50 years, renewable once.
- Lease is registered with the Ministry of Land Management (MLMUPC)
- Can be used for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes
- Lease rights can be mortgaged or transferred
✅ Benefits:
- Simple and low-cost
- No need for a Cambodian partner
- Ideal for development or land banking
⚠️ Risks:
- Lease must be properly registered
- Cannot subdivide or resell land directly
3. Trust Structure (Under Cambodia’s Trust Law)
Since 2019, Cambodia allows licensed trust companies to hold land on behalf of foreigners.
- Trustee holds legal title
- Beneficiary (you) retains full control and benefit
- Ideal for high-value or institutional investments
✅ Benefits:
- Strong legal protection
- Transparent and regulated
- Suitable for land banking, SEZs, and industrial zones
⚠️ Risks:
- Trustee fees apply
- Requires licensed trust company
📘 Learn more: Trust Law & Foreign Investment in Cambodia
4. Condominium Ownership (Above Ground Floor)
Foreigners can own up to 70% of units in a registered condominium project—but only from the first floor up.
✅ Benefits:
Full freehold ownership
Title registered in your name
No need for a local partner
⚠️ Limitations:
Only applies to strata-titled buildings
No land ownership rights
5. Cambodian Citizenship
Foreigners can acquire Cambodian citizenship through:
Naturalization (7 years of residency)
Marriage to a Cambodian citizen
Economic donation (typically $250,000+)
✅ Benefits:
Full land ownership rights
No need for legal workarounds
⚠️ Limitations:
Expensive and time-consuming
Requires Khmer language and cultural knowledge
What to Avoid: Nominee Structures
Some investors attempt to buy land using a Cambodian nominee—a local who holds the title on their behalf.
❌ This is illegal and unenforceable under Cambodian law.
Risks include:
No legal recourse if the nominee claims the land
Violates the Constitution
Can result in land confiscation
✅ Adaeng Land never uses nominee structures. We only offer legal, enforceable pathways.
Required Documents for Legal Land Control
Depending on your method (LHC, lease, or trust), you’ll need:
Certified land title (hard or LMAP)
Company registration documents
Lease or trust agreement
Zoning and cadastral maps
Tax clearance and due diligence reports
Adaeng Land handles all documentation, legal structuring, and land office coordination.
How Adaeng Land Co., Ltd Can Help
We specialize in helping foreign investors:
Identify secure land opportunities
Set up landholding companies or trusts
Draft enforceable legal agreements
Conduct title verification and due diligence
Navigate zoning, permitting, and development approvals
✅ We don’t just help you buy land—we help you own it legally and profitably.
💚 Invest with Purpose: Support the Sao Sary Foundation
Every dollar of profit made through Adaeng Land is donated to the Sao Sary Foundation—a Cambodian NGO supporting vulnerable children and families.
When you invest with us, you’re not just building wealth—you’re building hope.
📞 Ready to Invest in Cambodian Land?
Let’s structure your investment the right way—legally, securely, and with long-term growth in mind.
📍 Start with a free consultation → www.adaeng.co/contact-us
