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Property transaction costs in Cameroon are among the highest in Central Africa, often reaching 8-15% of the property value. These elevated costs stem from a complex combination of government taxes, professional fees, registration charges, and the involvement of multiple intermediaries throughout the buying and selling process.
If you want to go deeper, you can check our pack of documents related to the real estate market in Cameroon, based on reliable facts and data, not opinions or rumors.
Cameroon's property transaction costs range from 8-15% of property value, significantly higher than regional neighbors due to a 10% property transfer tax and various professional fees.
The high costs result from multiple layers of government taxes, notary fees reaching up to 10% of property value, registration charges, and the necessity of professional services in a complex bureaucratic system.
| Cost Component | Rate/Percentage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Property Transfer Tax | 10% of sale value | Mandatory government tax as of 2025 |
| Registration Fees | 5% of sale price | Required for legal validity |
| Notary Fees | 4-10% of property value | Percentage-based, varies by property value |
| Land Registration Fee | 1% of sale price or CFAF 5/m² | Urban areas higher than rural |
| Land Title Issuance | 2% of purchase price | For new land certificates |
| Real Estate Agent Commission | 3-5% of sale price | Usually paid by seller |
| Legal Fees | CFAF 250,000-500,000 | Fixed fee for standard transactions |
What official taxes and fees does the Cameroonian government charge when buying or selling property?
The Cameroonian government imposes a comprehensive set of taxes and fees that significantly increase property transaction costs.
The largest single cost is the property transfer tax, which stands at 10% of the sale value as of September 2025 under the latest Finance Law. This represents one of the highest transfer taxes in the Central African region and is the primary driver of Cameroon's elevated transaction costs.
Registration fees add another 5% of the sale price to make the transfer legally valid. These are mandatory and cannot be avoided. The land registration fee typically costs 1% of the sale price, though it can also be calculated at CFAF 5 per square meter in urban areas or CFAF 1 per square meter in rural areas, with established minimums.
Additional government charges include a 2% fee for land title issuance when obtaining new land certificates, stamp duty of approximately CFAF 2,000 per transaction, and an annual property tax of 0.1% of property value that applies to all owners regardless of nationality.
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How much do notaries charge in Cameroon, and how are their fees calculated?
Notaries in Cameroon charge percentage-based fees that vary according to property value, typically ranging from 4% to 10% of the sale price.
Unlike fixed-rate systems used in some countries, Cameroonian notary fees are almost always calculated as a percentage of the transaction value. The exact percentage depends on the property's worth, with higher-value properties often commanding rates at the lower end of the range, while smaller transactions may face higher percentage fees.
These fees cover document preparation, verification of legal requirements, and coordination with various government offices throughout the transaction process. Some negotiation is possible depending on the specific notary and the scope of work required, but the percentage-based structure remains standard across the country.
Buyers should clarify the exact fee structure with their chosen notary before committing to the transaction, as rates can vary between different notarial offices and regions.
What are the registration fees at the land registry, and how are they calculated?
Land registry registration fees in Cameroon follow a dual calculation system based on property location and transaction type.
For urban properties, the standard rate is CFAF 5 per square meter with a minimum charge of CFAF 5,000. Rural properties face a lower rate of CFAF 1 per square meter with a minimum of CFAF 3,000. These per-square-meter rates apply to most standard registrations.
When the registration involves a paid acquisition, the fee increases to 2% of the purchase price. For free acquisitions such as gifts or inheritances, the rate drops to 1% of the notary-stated value.
Recent changes in 2025 have substantially increased land surveyor fees, particularly for large parcels, and introduced additional charges per 100 square meters in urban zones. These modifications have added to the overall cost burden for property buyers across Cameroon.
Are there additional municipal taxes or local levies on property transfers in major cities?
Major Cameroonian cities like Douala and Yaoundé require municipal registration for tax purposes, but they do not impose significant city-specific transfer taxes beyond the central government structure.
Registration with municipal authorities is compulsory in all major urban centers, primarily for property tax assessment and urban planning purposes. While this process doesn't typically involve substantial additional transfer taxes, it can generate local administrative costs for document processing and approvals.
These municipal costs are generally modest compared to the major government taxes and professional fees, but they can add unexpected expenses if not properly budgeted. The exact amounts vary by city and can change based on local administrative requirements.
Property buyers should budget for these miscellaneous municipal charges, though they represent a small fraction of total transaction costs compared to the major taxes and professional fees.
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How long does the property transaction process take, and do delays increase costs?
The standard property transaction process in Cameroon typically takes 3-8 weeks when all documentation is properly prepared and submitted.
Delays frequently occur due to document errors, incomplete paperwork, or bureaucratic backlogs in government offices. These delays can significantly increase effective transaction costs, though not through official channels.
While there is no legal basis for additional payments during delays, many parties report being pressured for unofficial "speed money" or facilitation fees to expedite registration and approval processes. This practice is particularly common in high-demand urban areas where administrative offices face heavy workloads.
These extra-legal payments are never official, lack proper receipts, and create legal risks for buyers. However, they remain a practical reality that can substantially increase total transaction costs beyond the official fee structure.
Proper preparation of complete documentation from the start helps avoid delays that might trigger requests for these unofficial payments.
What role do lawyers play in property transactions, and what do they charge?
Lawyers play a crucial protective role in Cameroonian property transactions, though their involvement is not legally mandatory.
Legal professionals verify property titles, draft or review purchase contracts, conduct due diligence on ownership history, and liaise with government offices to protect buyers' interests. Given the complexity of Cameroon's property law and the risks of fraud or title disputes, legal representation is strongly recommended for all transactions.
Lawyer fees in Cameroon are typically structured as fixed charges rather than percentages of property value. Standard transactions usually cost between CFAF 250,000 and CFAF 500,000, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer's experience level.
This fixed-fee structure makes legal costs more predictable compared to percentage-based professional fees, and the investment in proper legal representation often prevents much larger problems and costs later in the transaction process.
Are real estate agents involved in most transactions, and what are their commission rates?
Real estate agents are commonly involved in Cameroonian property transactions, particularly in urban markets, though their use is not mandatory.
Agent commission rates typically range from 3% to 5% of the sale price, which is slightly lower than rates in many Western countries but still represents a significant transaction cost. The commission is usually paid by the seller unless otherwise negotiated between the parties.
Agents provide valuable services including property marketing, buyer identification, price negotiation, and coordination of the various transaction steps. In Cameroon's complex property market, experienced agents can help navigate bureaucratic requirements and connect buyers with reliable professionals.
However, buyers should verify that agents are properly licensed and have good reputations, as the quality of service and professionalism can vary significantly across the market.
Do property buyers need to pay unofficial fees to speed up approvals?
Unofficial payments or "facilitation fees" are commonly requested throughout Cameroon's property transaction process, though they have no legal basis.
| Type of Unofficial Payment | Common Situations | Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Speed money | Expediting registration processes | No legal protection, no receipts |
| Processing fees | Document verification and approval | Creates dependency on corruption |
| Facilitation charges | Moving files between offices | May signal fraudulent activity |
| Administrative tips | Various government touchpoints | Enables further extortion |
| Clearance payments | Final approvals and stamps | No guarantee of actual completion |
These payments may be requested by various intermediaries, government clerks, or local authorities at different stages of the transaction. While they are illegal and create risks for buyers, they remain a practical challenge in many transactions.
Firm refusal of such payments, combined with proper legal representation and complete documentation, is the best strategy to avoid these costs. Working with reputable professionals who refuse to participate in such practices helps maintain transaction integrity.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Cameroon versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you're planning to invest there.
Are foreign buyers subject to higher transaction costs than Cameroonian nationals?
Foreign buyers face the same official tax and fee rates as Cameroonian nationals, with no systematic discrimination in the formal cost structure.
The property transfer tax of 10%, registration fees of 5%, and other government charges apply equally regardless of buyer nationality. Professional fees for notaries, lawyers, and agents also follow the same rate structures for both foreign and domestic buyers.
However, foreign buyers may face stricter compliance checks, source-of-funds verification, and additional documentation requirements. These extra scrutiny measures can introduce delays in the transaction process, potentially exposing foreign buyers to more opportunities for unofficial payment requests.
Foreign buyers may also require additional legal assistance to navigate language barriers and unfamiliar procedures, potentially increasing their effective legal costs compared to local buyers who are more familiar with the system.
How do Cameroon's property transaction costs compare to neighboring countries?
Cameroon's property transaction costs rank among the highest in Central Africa, typically ranging from 8-15% of property value compared to lower rates in neighboring countries.
Nigeria's transaction costs range from 5-12% of property value, with a mix of statutory and informal fees but generally faster processing in some states. Gabon follows a similar fee structure to Cameroon with costs of 7-13%, though local levies may apply in certain regions.
Chad maintains lower overall costs at 4-10% of property value, primarily due to reduced notary fees and less formal real estate agent involvement in transactions. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic also tend to have lower formal transaction costs, though they may face higher informal payment pressures.
Cameroon's elevated costs stem primarily from its 10% property transfer tax, which is significantly higher than most regional neighbors, combined with high notary fees and the involvement of multiple professional intermediaries in the transaction process.
Are there recent reforms or government plans to reduce property transfer costs?
Recent reforms in Cameroon have actually increased rather than reduced property transaction costs, contrary to calls from industry professionals for cost reductions.
The 2025 Finance Law raised land transfer and survey fees, particularly for large plots, without providing any meaningful reduction in transaction-related taxes for most property buyers. New rules have substantially increased land surveyor fees and added extra charges per 100 square meters in urban zones.
Developers and land surveyors have lobbied against these cost increases, arguing they discourage property investment and development. However, as of September 2025, the government has not announced any rollback or reduction plans for the increased fees.
Industry backlash continues to grow, but current government policy appears focused on revenue generation rather than reducing barriers to property transactions. Property buyers should expect the current high-cost structure to persist in the near term.
It's something we develop in our Cameroon property pack.
What practical steps can buyers take to reduce overall transaction costs legally?
Property buyers can implement several strategies to minimize transaction costs while staying within legal boundaries.
- Compare and negotiate professional fees: Verify notary and agent rates from multiple providers before engagement, and negotiate where possible while insisting on receipts for all payments.
- Prepare complete documentation upfront: Ensure all paperwork is accurate and complete from the start to avoid delays that might trigger requests for unofficial facilitation payments.
- Choose reputable professionals: Work with well-established notaries, agents, and lawyers who have clear reputations and refuse to participate in unofficial payment schemes.
- Refuse all unofficial payments: Firmly decline any requests for unreceipted "speed money" or facilitation fees, and report such requests to supervisory authorities when possible.
- Stay informed about legal changes: Monitor updates to tax laws and administrative procedures by consulting current government sources and legal professionals before proceeding.
Buyers should also consider timing their transactions to avoid peak periods when administrative offices face heavy workloads that might create pressure for unofficial payments. Working with experienced local counsel who understands current procedures and requirements is essential for navigating the complex system efficiently.
It's something we develop in our Cameroon property pack.
Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.
Cameroon's property transaction costs remain among the highest in Central Africa, driven primarily by a 10% government transfer tax and substantial professional fees that can reach 15% of property value.
While buyers cannot avoid the major government taxes, careful selection of professionals, proper documentation preparation, and firm refusal of unofficial payments can help minimize overall costs and risks in the transaction process.
Sources
- BBOYO Real Estate - Understanding Property Taxes and Fees in Cameroon
- The African Vestor - Moving to Cameroon: Buy Property Guide
- Ministry of State Property and Land Tenure - FAQ
- PwC Tax Summaries - Republic of Cameroon
- BambooRoutes - Cameroon Worth It
- Kinsmen Advocates - Notarizing Documents in Cameroon
- Cameroon Online - New Finance Law Sparks Backlash
- Business in Cameroon - Finance Law Backlash