Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Mauritania Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Nouakchott's property market is included in our pack
Buying property in Nouakchott as a foreigner comes with specific costs, taxes, and fees that you need to budget for before making any commitment.
This guide breaks down every expense you will face, from mandatory government taxes to optional professional services, so you can plan your purchase with confidence.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest rates and regulations in Mauritania's capital city.
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 Nouakchott.
Overall, how much extra should I budget on top of the purchase price in Nouakchott in 2026?
How much are total buyer closing costs in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, most foreign buyers purchasing residential property in Nouakchott should expect total closing costs between 5% and 8% of the purchase price, which means on a 100 million MRU property (around 2,550 USD or 2,380 EUR), you would pay roughly 5 to 8 million MRU extra (128 to 204 USD or 119 to 190 EUR per million).
If you keep expenses to the bare legal minimum in Nouakchott, you can potentially bring closing costs down to around 4% of the purchase price, which covers only the mandatory 2% transfer duty plus basic land registry and notary fees.
However, if you want to plan safely and account for all potential fees in Nouakchott, including agent commissions, extra legal work, and translation services, you should budget up to 10% to 12% of the purchase price.
The main factors that determine whether your closing costs in Nouakchott fall at the low end or high end include whether you use a real estate agent, how complex your property's documentation is, whether you need translation services, and how much due diligence work is required to verify the title.
What's the usual total % of fees and taxes over the purchase price in Nouakchott?
The usual total percentage of fees and taxes over the purchase price in Nouakchott ranges from 5% to 8% for most standard residential property transactions.
This realistic range covers everything from government taxes to professional services, though some straightforward deals can close at around 4% while complex purchases with agents and extensive legal work can reach 10% to 12%.
Of that total percentage in Nouakchott, roughly 3.2% goes directly to government taxes and registry fees (the 2% transfer duty plus approximately 1.2% in land registry costs), while the remaining 2% to 5% covers professional services like notary fees, legal checks, and potential agent commissions.
By the way, you will find much more detailed data in our property pack covering the real estate market in Nouakchott.
What costs are always mandatory when buying in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, the mandatory costs when buying property in Nouakchott include the 2% registration and transfer duty, the land registry filing fees (1% plus 0.2% registrar remuneration), and notary or conveyancing fees which are required to complete the legal transfer.
Beyond these mandatory costs, optional but highly recommended expenses in Nouakchott include independent legal due diligence, professional translation or interpreter services if you are not fluent in French or Arabic, a boundary survey for plots with unclear edges, and a small buffer fund for document copies and administrative delays.
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What taxes do I pay when buying a property in Nouakchott in 2026?
What is the property transfer tax rate in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, the property transfer tax rate in Nouakchott is 2% of the taxable base for paid transfers of immovable property, as set by the Mauritanian Code Général des Impôts.
There is no extra transfer tax surcharge specifically for foreigners buying property in Nouakchott, meaning you pay the same 2% rate as Mauritanian citizens on the property transfer itself.
Buyers generally do not pay VAT on residential property purchases in Nouakchott because the CGI exempts transfers of immovable property that are subject to registration formalities, though the standard VAT rate of 16% does apply to related services like renovations.
Stamp duty in Nouakchott primarily shows up as the 2% registration and transfer duty at the time of registration, with additional small fixed administrative stamp fees on certain documents throughout the process.
Are there tax exemptions or reduced rates for first-time buyers in Nouakchott?
There is no clear nationwide first-time buyer exemption or reduced transfer duty rate in Nouakchott, as the CGI sets a flat 2% rate for all paid transfers of real estate regardless of buyer history.
If you buy property through a company instead of as an individual in Nouakchott, the 2% transfer duty on the property transfer itself still applies, though what changes is how rental income and other ongoing taxes are handled under corporate tax rules.
There is no significant tax difference between buying a new-build versus a resale property in Nouakchott because the CGI's VAT exemptions cover transfers of immovable property subject to registration, so the property transfer is not treated like a VAT-taxable retail sale.
Since there is no standard first-time buyer discount in Nouakchott, there are no specific documentation requirements to qualify, though any project-specific housing program relief would require you to meet that program's individual conditions.
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.
Which professional fees will I pay as a buyer in Nouakchott in 2026?
How much does a notary or conveyancing lawyer cost in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, notary fees in Nouakchott follow a published sliding scale that starts at 4.5% on the first tranche and decreases to 0.75% on higher value tranches, which means most residential purchases end up paying an effective blended rate of roughly 1% to 3% of the property price (around 1 to 3 million MRU on a 100 million MRU property, or 26 to 77 USD / 24 to 71 EUR per million).
Notary fees in Nouakchott are charged as a percentage of the property price following the official sliding scale, not as a flat rate, so higher-value properties pay a lower effective percentage.
Translation and interpreter services for foreign buyers in Nouakchott typically cost between 0.2% and 0.8% of the purchase price, or roughly 200,000 to 800,000 MRU on a 100 million MRU property (around 5 to 20 USD / 5 to 19 EUR per million), depending on how many documents need certified translation and how many in-person sessions you attend.
A tax advisor is not mandatory for a straightforward residential purchase in Nouakchott, but if you plan to rent out the property or buy through a company structure, you should budget around 0.3% to 1% of the property price for professional tax advice (approximately 300,000 to 1 million MRU, or 8 to 26 USD / 7 to 24 EUR per million).
We have a whole part dedicated to these topics in our our real estate pack about Nouakchott.
What's the typical real estate agent fee in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, real estate agent fees in Nouakchott typically range from 2% to 5% of the sale price, which means on a 100 million MRU property you would pay roughly 2 to 5 million MRU (around 51 to 128 USD / 48 to 119 EUR per million) if an agent is involved.
In most property transactions in Nouakchott, the seller pays the agent commission, but this is negotiable and you should never assume the arrangement without getting it confirmed in writing before you commit.
The realistic low-to-high range for agent fees in Nouakchott runs from 2% on the low end (when the seller is motivated and competition among agents is high) to 5% on the high end (for complex deals or premium properties), with most transactions settling around 3% to 4%.
How much do legal checks cost (title, liens, permits) in Nouakchott?
Legal checks including title search, liens verification, and permits review in Nouakchott typically cost between 0.3% and 1.5% of the property price, which translates to roughly 300,000 to 1.5 million MRU on a 100 million MRU property (around 8 to 38 USD / 7 to 36 EUR per million), with higher costs for properties that have messy documentation.
Property valuation fees in Nouakchott typically cost between 0.2% and 0.6% of the property price, or roughly 200,000 to 600,000 MRU on a 100 million MRU property (around 5 to 15 USD / 5 to 14 EUR per million), and are recommended if you are unsure about pricing or need financing.
The title search at the Land Registry is the most critical legal check in Nouakchott and should never be skipped because the World Bank notes that Mauritania's land administration system is still heavily paper-based, which increases the risk of undiscovered liens or ownership disputes.
Buying a property with hidden issues is something we mention in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying real estate in Nouakchott.
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What hidden or surprise costs should I watch for in Nouakchott right now?
What are the most common unexpected fees buyers discover in Nouakchott?
The most common unexpected fees buyers discover in Nouakchott include extra legal work when documents do not match the on-the-ground reality, translation and document running costs that add up over repeated visits, and infrastructure-related setup expenses like water storage, backup power, and security improvements right after purchase.
Yes, there is a risk of inheriting unpaid property taxes or debts when purchasing in Nouakchott, which is why verifying the property's status at the Land Registry is essential since liens and encumbrances are recorded there and you do not want to be responsible for the previous owner's obligations.
Scams with fake listings or fake fees do occur in Nouakchott, and the best way to protect yourself is to never make any meaningful payment without a notary-controlled, document-verified path to registration, because registration is the formal enforcement point where the transfer becomes legally binding.
The fees usually not disclosed upfront by sellers or agents in Nouakchott include who actually pays the agent commission, how much extra legal work is needed to make the title clean enough for transfer, and the true cost of translation services and repeated administrative visits.
In our property pack covering the property buying process in Nouakchott, we go into details so you can avoid these pitfalls.
Are there extra fees if the property has a tenant in Nouakchott?
If the property has a tenant in Nouakchott, you may face extra fees including tenant exit or handover costs, potential rent arrears disputes, and additional legal review of the existing lease, which could add 0.5% to 2% of the property price (around 500,000 to 2 million MRU, or 13 to 51 USD / 12 to 48 EUR per million) depending on the complexity.
When you purchase a tenanted property in Nouakchott, you typically inherit the legal obligations of the existing lease, which means you must honor the tenant's rights under the current contract until it expires or is legally terminated.
Terminating an existing lease immediately after purchase in Nouakchott is generally not possible unless the lease includes specific termination clauses, the tenant agrees to leave voluntarily, or you have legal grounds for eviction under Mauritanian law.
A sitting tenant typically affects the property's market value in Nouakchott by reducing it slightly, but it can also give you leverage in negotiations because many buyers prefer vacant possession and sellers with tenanted properties often accept lower offers.
If you want to optimize your rental strategy, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Nouakchott.
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.
Which fees are negotiable, and who really pays what in Nouakchott?
Which closing costs are negotiable in Nouakchott right now?
The closing costs that are negotiable in Nouakchott include real estate agent commissions, the scope and price of legal due diligence services, translation service fees, and to some extent, who pays for document procurement and administrative logistics.
The closing costs that are fixed by law and cannot be negotiated in Nouakchott include the 2% transfer duty, the land registry filing fees (1% plus 0.2% registrar remuneration), and the notary fee structure which follows an official published sliding scale.
On negotiable fees in Nouakchott, buyers can typically achieve discounts of 10% to 30% on agent commissions and professional services, especially when you get multiple quotes, bundle services together, or negotiate during slower market periods.
Can I ask the seller to cover some closing costs in Nouakchott?
Yes, asking the seller to cover some closing costs in Nouakchott is possible and relatively common, though success depends heavily on the seller's motivation, how long the property has been on the market, and the overall negotiation dynamics.
The specific closing costs sellers are most commonly willing to cover in Nouakchott include agent commissions (which they traditionally pay anyway), parts of the document cleanup work, and sometimes a contribution toward the buyer's legal fees when they are eager to close quickly.
Sellers in Nouakchott are more likely to accept covering closing costs when the property has been listed for a long time, when they need to sell urgently, when the buyer offers a clean and fast payment method, or during periods of lower market activity.
Is price bargaining common in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, price bargaining is common and expected in Nouakchott's property market, and most sellers list their properties with the assumption that buyers will negotiate before reaching a final price.
Buyers in Nouakchott typically negotiate between 5% and 12% below the asking price, which means on a 100 million MRU property you could potentially save 5 to 12 million MRU (around 128 to 307 USD / 119 to 286 EUR per million), with the discount depending on documentation quality, seller urgency, neighborhood demand, and how cleanly you can pay.
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What monthly, quarterly or annual costs will I pay as an owner in Nouakchott?
What's the realistic monthly owner budget in Nouakchott right now?
A realistic monthly owner budget for a typical apartment or house in Nouakchott in early 2026 is around 4,000 to 8,000 MRU per month (roughly 100 to 205 USD / 95 to 190 EUR), covering utilities and basic reliability costs, though this can vary significantly based on property size and neighborhood.
The main recurring expense categories that make up this monthly budget in Nouakchott include electricity, water, basic maintenance, and a reliability buffer for backup power and water storage refills, which are necessary due to infrastructure constraints in the city.
The realistic low-to-high range for monthly owner costs in Nouakchott runs from around 3,000 MRU per month (77 USD / 71 EUR) for a small apartment with minimal backup systems to 15,000 MRU per month (385 USD / 357 EUR) or more for a larger house with full backup power, water storage, security, and regular maintenance.
Electricity tends to vary the most among monthly costs in Nouakchott because usage fluctuates with air conditioning needs, and the reliability of the grid means some owners run backup generators that significantly increase their power expenses.
You can see how this budget affect your gross and rental yields in Nouakchott here.
What is the annual property tax amount in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, the annual property tax in Nouakchott (called the Contribution foncière sur les propriétés bâties or CFPB) typically costs between 0.4% and 1.4% of the property's value per year, which means on a 100 million MRU property you would pay roughly 400,000 to 1.4 million MRU annually (around 10,000 to 36,000 USD / 9,500 to 33,300 EUR per million).
The realistic low-to-high range for annual property taxes in Nouakchott depends on your property's value and which municipality you are in, with the municipal tax rate legally set between 3% and 10% of the calculated rental value.
Property tax in Nouakchott is calculated based on the property's rental value (valeur locative), which can be determined using actual rental comparisons or, if none exist, by applying 14% of the property's cost or most recent declared transfer price as a proxy.
There are no widely available blanket exemptions for property owners in Nouakchott, though specific relief may exist for certain government-backed housing programs or special circumstances that would need to be verified directly with the Direction Générale des Impôts.
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.
If I rent it out, what extra taxes and fees apply in Nouakchott in 2026?
What tax rate applies to rental income in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, rental income from property in Nouakchott is subject to the Impôt sur les Revenus Fonciers (IRF) at a rate of 10% on the taxable base.
Landlords in Nouakchott can deduct certain expenses from rental income taxes, including repairs, maintenance costs, and professional fees, but you need to keep full receipts to defend any deductions claimed.
The realistic effective tax rate after deductions for typical landlords in Nouakchott usually stays close to the 10% IRF rate because the deduction rules are relatively straightforward, though those with significant documented repair expenses may see a slightly lower effective burden.
Foreign property owners in Nouakchott pay the same 10% IRF rate as residents on Mauritanian-source rental income, as the tax is applied to the transaction rather than being adjusted based on nationality or residency status.
Do I pay tax on short-term rentals in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, short-term rental income in Nouakchott is subject to at least the 10% IRF on rental income plus the annual CFPB property tax, and if your operation looks more like a hospitality business with services and staff, you may also face additional business compliance requirements including potential VAT on services.
Short-term rental income in Nouakchott is not explicitly taxed at a different rate than long-term rental income under the IRF framework, but the operational nature of high-turnover short-term rentals may trigger additional business registration and compliance obligations that long-term landlords typically avoid.
If you want to optimize your rental strategy, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Nouakchott.
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If I sell later, what taxes and fees will I pay in Nouakchott in 2026?
What's the total cost of selling as a % of price in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, the total cost of selling residential property in Nouakchott typically ranges from 3% to 8% of the sale price, depending on whether you use an agent and how much capital gains tax applies to your situation.
The realistic low-to-high percentage range for total selling costs in Nouakchott runs from around 3% (if you sell without an agent and have minimal taxable gains) to 8% or more (if you pay full agent commission plus significant capital gains tax plus legal fees).
The specific cost categories that typically make up that total in Nouakchott include real estate agent commission (often the largest item at 2% to 5%), capital gains tax on any profit (10% of the gain with possible reductions), seller-side legal and notary work, and potential early mortgage repayment fees if applicable.
The single largest contributor to selling expenses in Nouakchott is usually the real estate agent commission, which can reach 5% of the sale price, though if you have substantial capital gains the 10% tax on that profit can also become a significant expense.
What capital gains tax applies when selling in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, capital gains from selling property in Nouakchott are taxed at 10% under the Impôt sur les Revenus Fonciers framework for plus-values immobilières.
Mauritania offers a time-based reduction for capital gains tax, with a 5% annual reduction starting from the second year of ownership, capped at a maximum 50% reduction, which can significantly lower your tax bill if you hold the property for 10 or more years.
Foreigners in Nouakchott pay the same 10% capital gains tax rate as Mauritanian citizens because the tax is applied to the transaction itself rather than being adjusted based on the seller's nationality or residence status.
Capital gains in Nouakchott are calculated as the sale price minus the purchase price, with the taxable gain then reduced by the applicable time-based discount, and you should keep documentation of your original purchase price and any qualifying improvements to defend your calculation.
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.
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 Nouakchott, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mauritania Code Général des Impôts (CGI) | It's the official tax code published by the Mauritanian Ministry of Finance. | We used it to pull exact legal tax rates for transfer duty, VAT rules, and rental income tax. We also confirmed which transactions are VAT-exempt and how capital gains are taxed. |
| World Bank Doing Business 2019, Mauritania | It's a methodology-based benchmark documenting official procedures, time, and costs. | We used it to verify what buyers actually pay at the notary and land registry. We also used it as a sanity-check for total registration cost percentages in Nouakchott. |
| DGI Doctrine Note on Property Tax (CFPB) | It's official technical guidance from the Direction Générale des Impôts. | We used it to explain how annual property tax is calculated. We also used it to show the legal range of municipal tax rates and valuation methods. |
| DGI Espace des Particuliers | It's the tax authority's public-facing guide for individual taxpayers. | We used it to cross-check that property and rental income taxes are administered by DGI. We also used it as a simpler reference for non-specialist readers. |
| PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries (Mauritania Corporate) | It's a widely used professional reference regularly reviewed by tax experts. | We used it to triangulate the VAT standard rate and indirect tax framing. We used it as a professional cross-check against what we read in the CGI. |
| PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries (Mauritania Individual) | It summarizes how individuals, including non-residents, are taxed in Mauritania. | We used it to verify resident versus non-resident treatment for rental income. We made sure our rental income section doesn't incorrectly assume tax residency. |
| Grant Thornton Indirect Tax Guide (Mauritania) | It's a global accounting network's technical overview aligned with local rules. | We used it as an additional cross-check on the VAT rate level. We used it to reduce the risk of relying on a single source for VAT information. |
| Numbeo (Nouakchott Cost of Living) | It's a well-known crowd-sourced index with transparent methodology. | We used it to estimate practical utilities budget ranges for owners. We treated it as directional input only and did not use it for legal or tax rules. |
| Expatistan (Nouakchott Utilities) | It's a long-running crowd-sourced database with clearly stated inputs. | We used it to triangulate realistic utilities costs against Numbeo. We used it only for ballpark monthly budgeting, not for taxes. |
| SOMELEC (National Electricity Utility) | It's the official site of Mauritania's national electricity utility. | We used it for institutional grounding on who provides electricity. We used it to support owner budget discussions about reliability in Nouakchott. |
| African Development Bank (Nouakchott Water Project) | It's an international development bank project record on infrastructure. | We used it to explain why Nouakchott owners often budget for water-related contingencies. We did not use it for any tax rates or legal rules. |
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