Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Mauritania Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Mauritania Property Pack
So you want to buy a property in Mauritania and rent it out, but you are not sure where to start or what to expect.
This guide gives you all the numbers, rules, and practical insights you need to make an informed decision about rental property investment in Mauritania.
We keep this blog post constantly updated so you always have the freshest data available.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Mauritania.
Insights
- Foreigners in Mauritania typically own the building but hold land rights through concessions, which means your rental income depends heavily on having clear title documentation rather than simple freehold ownership.
- Gross rental yields in Nouakchott range from 7% to 12% in early 2026, with higher returns found in local-demand neighborhoods like Teyarett and Arafat rather than premium expat areas.
- Short-term rental occupancy in Nouakchott hovers around 20% to 30%, making long-term rentals the safer bet for most foreign investors seeking steady income.
- Expat-grade furnished apartments in Tevragh-Zeina can fetch $1,200 to $1,800 per month, but the tenant pool is small and vacancy rates run about 15% annually.
- The rental income tax in Mauritania is 6% on taxable rental income, and you will need a local tax identification number to declare your earnings legally.
- Backup power systems (generators or solar) add the biggest rent premium in Nouakchott because reliable electricity remains a daily challenge for tenants.
- Property management fees for remote landlords typically run 8% to 12% of collected rent for long-term rentals and 20% to 25% for short-term rentals in Mauritania.
- The U.S. State Department's housing allowance ceiling for Nouakchott implies expat-grade housing costs of $1,300 to $1,725 per month, which matches the upper end of furnished 1 to 2 bedroom rentals.
Can I legally rent out a property in Mauritania as a foreigner right now?
Can a foreigner own-and-rent a residential property in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners can legally own residential property and rent it out in Mauritania, though the ownership structure works differently than in many Western countries because land belongs to the nation under Mauritanian law.
The most common arrangement for foreigners involves owning the building itself while holding a concession or lease right to the land, which gives you full authority to rent out the property as long as your documentation is in order.
The single biggest limitation foreigners face is not a ban on renting but rather the challenge of proving clear title and tenure security, since land administration in Mauritania can be complex and due diligence is absolutely essential before purchasing.
If you're not a local, you might want to read our guide to foreign property ownership in Mauritania.
Do I need residency to rent out in Mauritania right now?
No, you do not need to be a resident of Mauritania to rent out a property you own there, which means remote landlords can legally collect rental income from abroad.
However, you will effectively need a local tax identification number to comply with Mauritania's rental income tax rules, since the General Tax Code requires taxpayer registration and annual declarations.
A local bank account is not strictly required by law, but it is strongly recommended because tenants prefer local transfers, you will need to pay local expenses like repairs, and it creates a clean audit trail for tax compliance.
Managing a rental property in Mauritania entirely remotely is practically feasible if you appoint a trustworthy local property manager or agent to handle viewings, rent collection, maintenance, and any tenant issues that require in-person attention.
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What rental strategy makes the most money in Mauritania in 2026?
Is long-term renting more profitable than short-term in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, long-term renting is generally the more reliable and profitable strategy for most foreign property owners in Mauritania, especially in Nouakchott where short-term demand remains thin and unpredictable.
A well-managed long-term rental in Nouakchott might generate around $12,000 to $18,000 per year (roughly 450,000 to 680,000 MRU or 11,000 to 16,500 EUR) for a furnished 2-bedroom, while a comparable short-term rental could theoretically earn more but typically falls short due to occupancy rates hovering around only 25%.
Short-term renting can outperform long-term in specific situations, particularly if you own a high-quality furnished unit with reliable backup power and security in prime expat neighborhoods like Tevragh-Zeina or Ksar, where business travelers and NGO workers are willing to pay premium nightly rates.
What's the average gross rental yield in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average gross rental yield for residential properties in Nouakchott, Mauritania ranges from about 7% to 10%, which is competitive compared to many African and global markets.
The realistic range spans from around 6% in premium expat areas like Tevragh-Zeina and Ksar (where purchase prices are higher) up to 12% in local-demand neighborhoods like Teyarett, Arafat, and Dar Naim (where entry prices are lower but demand remains solid).
Smaller units like studios and one-bedroom apartments typically achieve the highest gross rental yields in Mauritania because they have lower purchase prices, rent quickly, and attract a broader tenant pool including young professionals and single expats.
By the way, we have much more granular data about rental yields in our property pack about Mauritania.
What's the realistic net rental yield after costs in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average net rental yield after all costs for residential properties in Nouakchott, Mauritania typically falls between 4% and 6% for long-term rentals, though short-term rentals can range more widely from 2% to 6% depending on execution.
Most landlords in Mauritania realistically experience net yields in the 4% to 5% range after accounting for all operating expenses, which represents a meaningful drop from gross yields but remains attractive for the region.
The three main cost categories that reduce gross yield to net yield in Mauritania are property management fees (essential for remote owners), maintenance and backup system upkeep (generators, water tanks, and air conditioning wear out faster in the desert climate), and the 6% rental income tax that must be declared to the DGI.
You might want to check our latest analysis about gross and net rental yields in Mauritania.
What monthly rent can I get in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, typical monthly rents in Nouakchott, Mauritania range from about $250 to $500 (9,500 to 19,000 MRU or 230 to 460 EUR) for a studio, $450 to $1,200 (17,000 to 45,000 MRU or 415 to 1,100 EUR) for a 1-bedroom, and $650 to $1,800 (24,500 to 68,000 MRU or 600 to 1,650 EUR) for a 2-bedroom depending on location and finish level.
A decent entry-level studio in Nouakchott in 2026 typically rents for around $250 to $450 per month (9,500 to 17,000 MRU or 230 to 415 EUR), with the lower end representing local-market unfurnished units and the higher end representing better-located or furnished options.
A typical mid-range 1-bedroom apartment in Nouakchott commands around $500 to $900 per month (19,000 to 34,000 MRU or 460 to 830 EUR), with expat-grade furnished units in prime areas like Tevragh-Zeina reaching $1,000 to $1,200.
A typical mid-to-high 2-bedroom apartment in Nouakchott rents for approximately $800 to $1,400 per month (30,000 to 53,000 MRU or 740 to 1,290 EUR), while premium furnished units in the best locations can push toward $1,800 per month for well-appointed properties.
If you want to know more about this topic, you can read our guide about rents and rental incomes in Mauritania.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Mauritania 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.
What are the real numbers I should budget for renting out in Mauritania in 2026?
What's the total "all-in" monthly cost to hold a rental in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the total all-in monthly cost to hold and maintain a typical rental property in Nouakchott, Mauritania ranges from about $60 to $450 (2,300 to 17,000 MRU or 55 to 415 EUR) depending on property type, quality level, and whether you use a property manager.
A basic unfurnished apartment in a local-demand neighborhood might cost $60 to $150 per month (2,300 to 5,700 MRU or 55 to 140 EUR) to hold, while a furnished expat-grade unit with backup systems could run $180 to $450 per month (6,800 to 17,000 MRU or 165 to 415 EUR) including management fees.
Property management is typically the largest single cost category for foreign landlords in Mauritania, running 8% to 12% of collected rent for long-term rentals and eating significantly into net returns if you cannot manage the property yourself.
You want to go into more details? Check our list of property taxes and fees you have to pay when buying a property in Mauritania.
What's the typical vacancy rate in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical vacancy rate for long-term rental properties in Nouakchott, Mauritania runs around 10% to 15%, which translates to roughly 1 to 2 months of lost rent per year.
Landlords in Mauritania should realistically budget for about 1.5 months of vacancy per year on long-term rentals, since expat-grade properties have a narrower tenant pool while well-priced local-demand units in solid areas can achieve vacancy as low as half a month annually.
The main factor driving vacancy differences across Nouakchott neighborhoods is tenant pool depth, with areas like Arafat and Teyarett enjoying broader local demand and faster turnover while premium areas like Tevragh-Zeina have fewer potential tenants willing to pay top rents.
Tenant turnover and vacancy in Nouakchott tends to be highest during the hot summer months (roughly June through September) when expat contracts often end and families relocate, while the cooler season from November to February typically sees stronger leasing activity.
We have a whole part covering the best rental strategies in our pack about buying a property in Mauritania.
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Where do rentals perform best in Mauritania in 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest long-term demand in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three neighborhoods with the highest overall long-term rental demand in Nouakchott, Mauritania are Tevragh-Zeina, Ksar, and Teyarett, which together capture the bulk of both expat and local professional tenant demand.
Families looking for space, stability, and good schools tend to concentrate their rental searches in Tevragh-Zeina, Ksar, and parts of Teyarett and Riyad, where larger apartments and houses with secure compounds are more common.
Students seeking affordable rentals near universities typically look in neighborhoods like Arafat, El Mina, and Dar Naim, where rents are significantly lower and public transport connections are available.
Expats, NGO workers, and international professionals strongly prefer Tevragh-Zeina and Ksar for their security, proximity to embassies and international organizations, and access to reliable services like backup power and internet.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Mauritania.
Which neighborhoods have the best yield in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three neighborhoods offering the best rental yields in Nouakchott, Mauritania are Teyarett, Riyad, and Arafat, where purchase prices remain relatively low while tenant demand stays consistently strong.
These top-yielding neighborhoods in Nouakchott typically deliver gross rental yields in the 8% to 12% range, compared to 6% to 9% in the pricier premium areas like Tevragh-Zeina and Ksar.
The main characteristic allowing these neighborhoods to achieve higher yields is that they attract a large base of local professionals and middle-class tenants who pay solid rents without requiring the luxury finishes and premium prices that compress yields in expat-focused areas.
We cover a lot of neighborhoods and provide a lot of updated data in our pack about real estate in Mauritania.
Where do tenants pay the highest rents in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three neighborhoods where tenants pay the highest rents in Nouakchott, Mauritania are Tevragh-Zeina, Ksar, and the premium sections of Teyarett, which command the lion's share of expat and diplomatic housing budgets.
In these premium Nouakchott neighborhoods, a standard 2-bedroom furnished apartment typically rents for $1,200 to $1,800 per month (45,000 to 68,000 MRU or 1,100 to 1,650 EUR), with larger houses and top-tier units exceeding these ranges.
These neighborhoods command the highest rents because they offer what matters most to high-paying tenants in Mauritania: proximity to embassies and international organizations, reliable security infrastructure, and easier access to backup power, water systems, and quality internet service.
The typical tenant profile in these highest-rent neighborhoods includes diplomats, UN and NGO staff, international business executives, and senior professionals on expat contracts who receive housing allowances and prioritize security and reliability over cost.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Mauritania. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
What do tenants actually want in Mauritania in 2026?
What features increase rent the most in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three property features that increase monthly rent the most in Mauritania are backup power systems (generator or solar with batteries), reliable water infrastructure (tank plus pump), and solid security arrangements (secure compound, quality doors and windows, or a guard), which all address the daily reliability challenges tenants face in Nouakchott.
A reliable backup power system is the single most valuable feature and can add a rent premium of roughly 15% to 25% in Nouakchott, since consistent electricity remains a real struggle and tenants will pay significantly more to avoid outages.
One commonly overrated feature that landlords invest in but tenants do not pay much extra for in Mauritania is high-end decorative finishes like imported tiles or fancy kitchen countertops, because most tenants prioritize functional reliability over aesthetics.
One affordable upgrade that provides a strong return on investment for landlords in Mauritania is installing a good-quality air conditioning unit in the main living area, since the intense desert heat makes AC practically essential and tenants notice immediately if it is missing or weak.
Do furnished rentals rent faster in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, furnished apartments in Mauritania typically rent faster than unfurnished ones in the expat and NGO tenant segment (often 1 to 3 weeks faster), though unfurnished units can actually be more liquid in local-demand neighborhoods where tenants already own furniture and prefer lower monthly costs.
Furnished apartments in Nouakchott command a rent premium of roughly 20% to 40% over comparable unfurnished units, with the higher end of that range applying to well-equipped properties in Tevragh-Zeina and Ksar that target short-stay expats and business travelers.
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How regulated is long-term renting in Mauritania right now?
Can I freely set rent prices in Mauritania right now?
In most modern private rentals in Mauritania, landlords can freely negotiate and set initial rent prices by agreement with the tenant, though the legal corpus does include older mechanisms related to rent pricing that could theoretically apply.
Rent increases during a tenancy are not subject to a widely enforced national cap in Mauritania, but smart landlords protect themselves by including explicit revision clauses in the lease that document how and when rent can be increased to avoid disputes later.
What's the standard lease length in Mauritania right now?
The standard and most common lease length for residential rentals in Mauritania is 12 months, though shorter arrangements are often seen for furnished units targeting expats or business travelers on temporary assignments.
The typical security deposit in Mauritania ranges from 1 to 2 months of rent for standard rentals (roughly $450 to $1,800 or 17,000 to 68,000 MRU or 415 to 1,650 EUR depending on the property), with expat-grade furnished units sometimes requesting 2 to 3 months upfront.
Rules for returning security deposits in Mauritania depend heavily on what is written in your lease contract, so landlords should document the property condition at move-in and specify clearly what deductions are permitted for damages or unpaid rent to avoid disputes at the end of the tenancy.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Mauritania compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How does short-term renting really work in Mauritania in 2026?
Is Airbnb legal in Mauritania right now?
There is no widely publicized national ban on Airbnb-style short-term rentals in Mauritania as of early 2026, so the practical default is that operating a short-term rental is legally possible if you comply with tax and administrative requirements.
A clear, nationally published licensing framework specifically for short-term rentals has not been surfaced in authoritative Mauritanian sources, which means you should be prepared to obtain local administrative permissions depending on your commune and building rules, and register your activity with tax authorities.
There is no confirmed Mauritania-wide cap on the number of nights per year you can rent your property short-term, though you should verify any local or building-specific restrictions before launching.
The most common consequence for operating a non-compliant short-term rental in Mauritania would likely be tax penalties and potential administrative issues, since the rental income tax obligation is the clearest and most enforced requirement for anyone collecting short-term rental income.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing whether owning an Airbnb rental is profitable in Mauritania.
What's the average short-term occupancy in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average annual occupancy rate for short-term rentals in Nouakchott, Mauritania hovers around 20% to 30%, which reflects a small and business-driven market rather than a tourism hotspot.
The realistic occupancy range for most short-term rentals in Nouakchott spans from about 15% for poorly located or basic units up to around 35% to 40% for well-executed properties in prime locations like Tevragh-Zeina with strong reviews and reliable amenities.
The highest occupancy rates for short-term rentals in Mauritania typically occur from November through February, when the weather is cooler and business travel, conferences, and occasional tourism activity pick up.
The lowest occupancy rates for short-term rentals in Mauritania typically fall during the hot summer months from June through September, when travel drops off significantly and even business visitors try to avoid the intense heat.
Finally, please note that you can find much more granular data about this topic in our property pack about Mauritania.
What's the average nightly rate in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average nightly rate for short-term rentals in Nouakchott, Mauritania is around $50 to $60 (1,900 to 2,300 MRU or 46 to 55 EUR) for a clean, safe, and well-located unit.
The realistic nightly rate range for most short-term rental listings in Nouakchott spans from about $35 to $45 (1,300 to 1,700 MRU or 32 to 41 EUR) for basic accommodations up to $80 to $120 (3,000 to 4,500 MRU or 74 to 110 EUR) for premium properties in secure compounds with reliable power and services.
The typical nightly rate difference between peak season (November to February) and off-season (June to September) in Nouakchott is roughly $10 to $20 (380 to 760 MRU or 9 to 18 EUR) per night, with savvy hosts adjusting prices dynamically to capture demand during busier periods.
Is short-term rental supply saturated in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the short-term rental market in Nouakchott, Mauritania is not saturated by supply volume, but it is constrained by limited demand depth, which means low occupancy is the bigger challenge rather than too much competition.
The number of active short-term rental listings in Nouakchott appears to be slowly growing as more property owners test the market, but the small base means even modest increases can feel significant.
The neighborhoods most at risk of oversaturation for short-term rentals in Nouakchott are Tevragh-Zeina and Ksar, where most existing STR listings are concentrated and compete for the same small pool of business travelers and NGO visitors.
Neighborhoods that may still have room for new short-term rental supply include Teyarett and parts of Riyad, where fewer listings exist and travelers seeking lower-cost or more local experiences might be underserved.
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What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Mauritania, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Ordonnance 83-127 (Official PDF) | It is the primary legal text defining Mauritania's land and domain regime. | We used it to understand what ownership means for foreigners. We confirmed that buildings can be owned while land is held via concessions. |
| UN-Habitat/GLTN Land Sector Snapshot | It is produced by respected UN agencies with citations and sector context. | We used it to translate legal tenure into practical landlord realities. We identified title clarity and registration as key risks. |
| U.S. State Department LQA Data | It systematically measures housing cost ceilings for diplomatic postings. | We used it to anchor expat-grade rent ceilings in Nouakchott. We scaled down from allowances to estimate market rents by unit size. |
| Mauritania General Tax Code | It is the consolidated legal tax framework for Mauritania. | We used it to extract the 6% rental income tax rate. We confirmed taxpayer registration and filing requirements for landlords. |
| DGI Rental Income Tax Doctrine | It is an official publication from Mauritania's tax authority. | We used it to cross-check rental income tax concepts. We reduced interpretation risk when translating legal articles into action steps. |
| AirROI STR Data | It provides recognized short-term rental analytics with clear KPIs. | We used it to estimate Nouakchott occupancy and nightly rates. We only relied on it after validating demand trends elsewhere. |
| World Bank Tourism Arrivals Data | It is an internationally comparable dataset from UN Tourism yearbooks. | We used it to anchor tourism demand affecting short-term occupancy. We avoided relying solely on platform-level STR data. |
| UNEP-LEAP Legal Database | It is a respected international repository for national legislation. | We used it to triangulate the scope of Mauritania's land regime. We verified findings against the government PDF source. |
| FAOLEX Legal Repository | It is widely used by governments and researchers for official texts. | We used it to cross-check references around land governance. We reduced single-source risk when interpreting tenure concepts. |
| World Bank Inflation Data | It is a standardized international macro dataset with transparent provenance. | We used it to frame rent increases and cost drift context. We sanity-checked 2026 cost ranges against inflation trends. |
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Mauritania. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.