Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Senegal Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Senegal Property Pack
The real estate market in Senegal can feel exciting, especially with booming areas like Dakar's Almadies district or the Petite Côte beach towns, but foreign buyers often underestimate the risks hiding behind official-looking paperwork.
Senegal has a unique land system where some documents that look legitimate are actually not the same as a real land title, and this confusion is where most scams happen.
We constantly update this blog post to keep you informed about the latest risks and practices in Senegal's property market.
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 Senegal.
How risky is buying property in Senegal as a foreigner in 2026?
Can foreigners legally own properties in Senegal in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners can legally buy and own residential property in Senegal, but the key issue is not your passport, it is which type of land right you are actually purchasing.
The main restriction in Senegal is that large portions of land fall under the "Domaine national" framework, meaning this land cannot be privately owned in the traditional sense, only allocated or occupied with specific rights that are weaker than a full title.
Because of this, most savvy foreign buyers in Senegal focus on properties that are already titled and registered with the Conservation foncière (land registry), or they work with notaries to convert allocation rights into proper titles when legally possible.
Foreigners in Senegal have the same property ownership rights as Senegalese citizens when buying titled land, which is different from some African countries that restrict foreign ownership to leaseholds or require local partnerships.
What buyer rights do foreigners actually have in Senegal in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreign buyers in Senegal have the legal right to verify any property's status before purchasing by requesting an official document called the "état de droits réels" from the Conservation foncière.
If a seller in Senegal breaches a contract, foreigners can pursue legal action through Senegalese courts, but the enforcement process is slow, typically taking around 650 days and costing about 36% of the claim value according to World Bank benchmarks, so prevention is always better than litigation.
The most common mistake foreign buyers make in Senegal is assuming that any official-looking document means full ownership, when in reality, allocation letters and local deliberations do not give you the same rights as a registered land title.
How strong is contract enforcement in Senegal right now?
Contract enforcement for real estate transactions in Senegal exists and works, but it is significantly slower than in countries like France (where enforcement takes about 400 days) or the United States, so you should treat court action as a last resort and invest heavily in prevention instead.
The main weakness foreign buyers should know about in Senegal is that even if you win a court case, actually collecting on that judgment can take additional months or years, which means a bad property deal can tie up your money and energy for a very long time.
By the way, we detail all the documents you need and what they mean in our property pack covering Senegal.
Buying real estate in Senegal can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
Which scams target foreign buyers in Senegal right now?
Are scams against foreigners common in Senegal right now?
Real estate scams targeting foreigners in Senegal are common enough that you should assume you will encounter at least one scam attempt if you browse widely, especially through online listings or informal contacts.
The property transactions most frequently targeted by scammers in Senegal are land plots and villas in fast-growing zones like the Diamniadio corridor, the Rufisque suburbs, and coastal areas around Saly, Ngaparou, and Somone, where documentation is often informal.
Scammers in Senegal typically target foreign buyers who are purchasing remotely from abroad, do not speak French, and are eager to close quickly without visiting the property or verifying documents at the land registry.
The single biggest warning sign that a deal may be a scam in Senegal is when the seller pushes you to pay a deposit quickly while avoiding or delaying any request to verify ownership at the Conservation foncière.
What are the top three scams foreigners face in Senegal right now?
The top three scams foreigners face when buying property in Senegal are: selling allocation papers as if they were a clean title, double-selling the same plot to multiple buyers in peri-urban zones, and fake owners or fake powers of attorney used to extract deposits.
The most common scam in Senegal unfolds like this: a seller shows you a "délibération" or "lettre d'attribution" and tells you it is basically ownership, you pay a deposit, and later you discover the document does not actually transfer clean title or that the same plot was sold to someone else.
The most effective protection against these three scams in Senegal is always the same: before paying anything, request the official "état de droits réels" from the Conservation foncière, have a notary independently verify the seller's identity and authority, and never send money to personal accounts.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Senegal 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.
How do I verify the seller and ownership in Senegal without getting fooled?
How do I confirm the seller is the real owner in Senegal?
The standard verification process to confirm the seller is the real owner in Senegal is to request an "état de droits réels" or "attestation du conservateur" directly from the Conservation foncière, then match the registry information to the seller's identity documents.
The official document foreigners should check to verify ownership in Senegal is the land registry certificate from the Conservation foncière, which shows who is recorded as the legal owner and whether there are any charges or disputes on the property.
A common trick fake sellers use in Senegal, which happens regularly in informal transactions, is presenting a "duplicate original" of a title or an allocation letter, but Senegal's official process does not issue duplicates, it requires a new requisition if documents are lost.
Where do I check liens or mortgages on a property in Senegal?
The official registry where you check liens or mortgages on a property in Senegal is the Conservation foncière, which is part of the Direction générale des Impôts et des Domaines (DGID) and maintains all records of encumbrances on titled properties.
When checking for liens in Senegal, you should specifically request the "certificat d'État de Droits Réels et Charges," which lists any mortgages, legal charges, or pending claims attached to the property you want to buy.
The type of encumbrance most commonly missed by foreign buyers in Senegal is unpaid property taxes or utility bills that create a lien, because these do not always appear on the title but can become your problem after purchase.
It's one of the aspects we cover in our our pack about the real estate market in Senegal.
How do I spot forged documents in Senegal right now?
The most common type of forged document used in property scams in Senegal is fake or altered allocation letters ("délibérations" or "lettres d'attribution"), and this happens regularly in peri-urban and coastal growth zones where informal paperwork is widespread.
Red flags that indicate a document may be forged in Senegal include "original duplicate" language (which contradicts official procedure), references to the wrong authority (confusing commune papers with registry titles), and boundary descriptions that do not match any official survey.
The official verification method to authenticate documents in Senegal is to physically go to or have your notary contact the Conservation foncière to confirm the registry record matches what you were shown, because a good forgery cannot survive collision with the actual registry.
Get the full checklist for your due diligence in Senegal
Don't repeat the same mistakes others have made before you. Make sure everything is in order before signing your sales contract.
What "grey-area" practices should I watch for in Senegal?
What hidden costs surprise foreigners when buying a property in Senegal?
The three most common hidden costs foreigners overlook when buying property in Senegal are notary fees (which can add 2% to 5% of the price, or roughly 1 million to 5 million CFA francs on a typical villa, about 1,500 to 7,500 USD or 1,400 to 7,000 EUR), registration taxes (around 7% of the property value), and surveyor fees for boundary verification.
The hidden cost most often deliberately concealed by sellers or agents in Senegal, which happens sometimes, is outstanding property taxes or utility debts that transfer to the buyer, so you should always request proof of payment before closing.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Senegal.
Are "cash under the table" requests common in Senegal right now?
"Cash under the table" requests in Senegal property transactions are not rare, especially on the informal side of land allocation, permitting, or when someone offers to "speed things up," though they are less common in clean registry-based sales handled by reputable notaries.
The typical reason sellers in Senegal give for requesting undeclared cash payments is to reduce the official purchase price on paper, which lowers the registration taxes and notary fees both parties must pay.
If you agree to an undeclared cash payment in Senegal, you face serious legal risks including potential charges for tax fraud, and if a dispute arises later, the undeclared portion of your payment will not be recognized by courts, meaning you could lose that money entirely.
Are side agreements used to bypass rules in Senegal right now?
Side agreements to bypass official rules in Senegal property transactions are relatively common, particularly in informal markets and growth zones where buyers and sellers want to avoid full taxation or work around land allocation restrictions.
The most common type of side agreement in Senegal is under-declaring the purchase price in the notary act while paying the real amount separately in cash, or signing a private contract to sell occupation rights as if they were full ownership.
If a side agreement is discovered by Senegalese authorities, foreigners face legal consequences including tax reassessment with penalties, potential nullification of the sale, and in serious cases, prosecution for fraud, and since court enforcement is slow and expensive, you will have little recourse.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Senegal 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.
Can I trust real estate agents in Senegal in 2026?
Are real estate agents regulated in Senegal in 2026?
As of early 2026, real estate agents in Senegal are officially regulated under Law 1982/07 which governs property promotion, transaction, and management activities, but enforcement is uneven and you will still encounter many informal agents operating without proper authorization.
A legitimate real estate agent in Senegal should hold an authorization from the relevant government ministry to practice real estate activities, though in practice many operate without formal credentials, especially individual brokers outside major agencies.
To verify whether an agent in Senegal is properly licensed, you can ask them to show their official authorization documents, but the most practical filter is whether the agent is willing to work transparently through a notary and supports your request to verify ownership at the land registry before any payment.
Please note that we have a list of contacts for you in our property pack about Senegal.
What agent fee percentage is normal in Senegal in 2026?
As of early 2026, the normal agent fee for residential property transactions in Senegal is around 3% to 5% of the sale price in Dakar and the Petite Côte coastal areas.
The typical range of agent fees in Senegal that covers most standard resale transactions is 3% to 5%, but premium or heavily intermediated deals can go higher, and if you see 8% to 10% for a straightforward purchase, treat it as a negotiation signal or a "foreigner markup."
In Senegal, agent fees are typically paid by the buyer, though this can vary by negotiation, and you should always clarify in writing who is responsible for the commission before signing any agreement.
Get the full checklist for your due diligence in Senegal
Don't repeat the same mistakes others have made before you. Make sure everything is in order before signing your sales contract.
What due diligence actually prevents disasters in Senegal?
What structural inspection is standard in Senegal right now?
The standard structural inspection process for property purchases in Senegal is not mandatory, so buyers must proactively commission their own inspection, which typically includes checking the building's foundation, roof slab, walls, and basic utility systems.
A qualified inspector in Senegal should specifically check for cracks in load-bearing walls, water damage or ingress (especially on flat roof slabs), electrical wiring safety, plumbing integrity, and for coastal properties, salt corrosion on rebar and balconies.
The type of professional qualified to perform structural inspections in Senegal is a licensed civil engineer or architect, and for coastal areas like Almadies, Ngor, or Saly, you want someone experienced with humidity and corrosion issues specific to ocean-adjacent buildings.
The most common structural issues that inspections reveal in Senegal properties are water intrusion through poorly waterproofed roof slabs, salt corrosion damage near the coast, unpermitted modifications like extra floors or rooms, and substandard electrical installations.
How do I confirm exact boundaries in Senegal?
The standard process for confirming exact property boundaries in Senegal is to hire an independent licensed surveyor (called a "géomètre") to physically measure the plot and reconcile it with official cadastral records before you finalize any purchase.
The official document showing legal boundaries of a property in Senegal is the survey plan or "plan de bornage" that should be attached to the land title and registered with the cadastre, and you should verify this document matches what is on the ground.
The most common boundary dispute affecting foreign buyers in Senegal happens in rapidly developing zones like the Rufisque-Diamniadio corridor, where subdivisions are created quickly and neighboring plots may overlap or have unclear demarcations on paper.
The professional you should hire to physically verify boundaries in Senegal is a licensed "géomètre expert" who can plant official boundary markers and provide a certified report that can be used in court if disputes arise later.
What defects are commonly hidden in Senegal right now?
The top three defects that sellers commonly conceal from buyers in Senegal are: water intrusion and poor waterproofing (common), unpermitted construction modifications like extra rooms or floors (common), and co-ownership governance problems in apartment buildings such as unpaid shared maintenance or disputes over generator and elevator costs (sometimes happens).
The inspection techniques that help uncover hidden defects in Senegal include using moisture meters to detect water damage behind walls, requesting building permits to verify all construction is legal, and for apartments, asking the building syndic for financial statements and meeting minutes to spot co-ownership disputes.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Senegal. 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.
What insider lessons do foreigners share after buying in Senegal?
What do foreigners say they did wrong in Senegal right now?
The most common mistake foreigners say they made when buying property in Senegal is that they bought allocation papers or local documentation thinking it was the same as a registered land title, only to discover later that their ownership was not secure.
The top three regrets foreigners most frequently mention after buying in Senegal are: paying deposits before verifying ownership at the land registry, not hiring a strong notary from the start, and trying to save money by skipping professional inspections or surveys.
The single piece of advice experienced foreign buyers most often give to newcomers in Senegal is to never pay anything meaningful until you have personally seen or received the "état de droits réels" from the Conservation foncière confirming the seller's ownership.
The mistake foreigners say cost them the most money or stress in Senegal is paying deposits from abroad to personal accounts based on WhatsApp conversations and photos, then discovering the seller was not the real owner or the property had already been sold to someone else.
What do locals do differently when buying in Senegal right now?
The key difference in how locals approach buying property in Senegal compared to foreigners is that Senegalese buyers immediately know the difference between a "délibération" and a registered title, so they walk away fast from any deal where the Conservation foncière paperwork is missing or unclear.
A verification step locals in Senegal routinely take that foreigners often skip is visiting the actual neighborhood to speak with neighbors and the local "chef de quartier" to confirm who really occupies the land and whether there are any known disputes, before ever engaging with paperwork.
The local knowledge advantage that helps Senegalese buyers get better deals is understanding which growth corridors (like Diamniadio or certain Rufisque subdivisions) have reliable titling processes versus which areas are still stuck in Domaine national allocation limbo, allowing them to assess risk more accurately and negotiate accordingly.
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Senegal
Buying real estate is a significant investment. Don't rely solely on your intuition. Gather the right information to make the best decision.
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 Senegal, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sénégal Services (État de droits réels) | Official government portal describing land registry requests. | We used it to explain what buyers can request from the land registry. We also used it to detail the official fee structure and verification process. |
| Sénégal Services (Domaine national law) | Government source for Senegal's foundational land law. | We used it to explain the two-tier land system in Senegal. We clarified why allocation papers differ from registered titles. |
| World Bank Doing Business Senegal 2020 | Standardized World Bank dataset with procedure-level detail. | We used it for hard numbers on registration time, cost, and enforcement benchmarks. We also referenced the specific certificates used in property transfers. |
| DGID (Direction générale des Impôts et des Domaines) | The tax and domains authority at the center of land administration. | We used it to anchor which authority handles what functions. We framed where official checks and filings happen institutionally. |
| DRI (Law 1982/07 on real estate activities) | Government legal repository with the text regulating agents. | We used it to explain what "regulated agent activity" means in Senegal. We referenced it for what legitimacy documents agents should have. |
| UNEP LEAP (Domaine national legislation) | Reputable international legal database for national laws. | We used it to cross-check the Domaine national framework. We verified related implementing decrees through this source. |
| World Bank Rule of Law Indicators | Widely used cross-country governance dataset. | We used it to frame institutional reliability in a comparable way. We balanced anecdotal scam stories with data-based context. |
| World Justice Project Rule of Law Index | Leading independent rule-of-law benchmark. | We used it as a second read on institutional reliability. We triangulated the enforcement confidence section with this data. |
| Transparency International CPI | The most commonly cited global corruption benchmark. | We used it to contextualize bribery risk and cash payment requests. We translated risk signals into practical verification steps. |
| Sénégal Services (Notary tariff reference) | Official portal listing legal texts and decrees in force. | We used it to verify the existence of notary tariff decrees. We avoided relying on informal blog fee claims. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Senegal. 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.