Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Cameroon Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Cameroon Property Pack
Understanding the full cost of buying property in Yaoundé goes far beyond the listing price, and foreign buyers often face additional layers of fees, taxes, and paperwork that locals may not encounter.
This guide breaks down every cost you should expect when purchasing residential property in Yaoundé in 2026, from mandatory government taxes to negotiable professional fees.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest rates and regulations in Cameroon'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 Yaoundé.
Overall, how much extra should I budget on top of the purchase price in Yaoundé in 2026?
How much are total buyer closing costs in Yaoundé in 2026?
As of early 2026, total buyer closing costs in Yaoundé typically range from 14% to 18% of the purchase price, which means on a property worth 100 million XAF (about 164,000 USD or 151,500 EUR), you should expect to pay an additional 14 to 18 million XAF in fees and taxes.
If you keep expenses to the bare legal minimum in Yaoundé, meaning no agent, a clean title, and minimal paperwork complications, the lowest you can realistically achieve is around 12% of the purchase price, or about 12 million XAF (19,700 USD or 18,200 EUR) on that same 100 million XAF property.
On the higher end, foreign buyers in Yaoundé who use an agent, need document translations, face title regularization issues, or encounter administrative friction should budget up to 20% to 25% of the purchase price, which could mean 20 to 25 million XAF (32,800 to 41,000 USD or 30,300 to 37,900 EUR) in extra costs.
The main factors that push your closing costs toward the low or high end in Yaoundé include whether the property's title is already fully regularized, whether you use a real estate agent, how much translation and legal verification work your purchase requires, and whether there are any boundary disputes or missing certificates to resolve.
What's the usual total % of fees and taxes over the purchase price in Yaoundé?
The usual total percentage of fees and taxes when buying property in Yaoundé falls around 15% to 17% of the purchase price for most standard foreign buyer transactions.
That said, the realistic low-to-high range in Yaoundé spans from about 12% for the simplest deals to 25% for complex purchases requiring significant document regularization and professional support.
Of that total, roughly 10% to 11% goes to government taxes (mainly the 10% registration and transfer duty), while the remaining 4% to 14% covers professional service fees including notary costs, legal checks, agent commissions, and administrative document preparation.
By the way, you will find much more detailed data in our property pack covering the real estate market in Yaoundé.
What costs are always mandatory when buying in Yaoundé in 2026?
As of early 2026, the mandatory costs when buying property in Yaoundé include the 10% registration and transfer duty on the deed, notary or conveyancing fees to formalize and file the transfer, and various administrative document fees such as certified copies, registry extracts, and stamps.
Beyond those mandatory costs, optional but highly recommended expenses for foreign buyers in Yaoundé include an independent lawyer to verify the seller's title chain and check for liens, a survey or boundary verification if the plot history is unclear, professional translation services for non-French speakers, and a property valuation to ensure you are not overpaying.
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What taxes do I pay when buying a property in Yaoundé in 2026?
What is the property transfer tax rate in Yaoundé in 2026?
As of early 2026, the property transfer tax rate in Yaoundé is 10% of the purchase price, which is the registration duty that applies to standard transfers of immovable property under Cameroonian law.
Foreign buyers in Yaoundé do not face a higher transfer tax rate than locals, as the 10% registration duty applies equally regardless of nationality, though foreigners typically incur extra process costs for translations and additional document verification.
VAT on residential property purchases in Yaoundé generally does not apply when buying from a private individual, but if you purchase from a VAT-registered developer or formal seller, you may face the 19.25% VAT rate on top of your costs, which makes confirming the VAT status early in the transaction extremely important.
Stamp duty in Yaoundé is embedded in the document formalization process, meaning you pay it as part of the fees required to properly register and receipt your deed and supporting documents during the closing process.
Are there tax exemptions or reduced rates for first-time buyers in Yaoundé?
As of early 2026, Yaoundé does not offer a widely available first-time buyer tax exemption or discount, and any existing relief programs tend to be narrowly targeted toward specific social housing initiatives rather than a blanket reduction for all first-time purchasers.
Buying through a company in Yaoundé changes how your rental income is taxed later (corporate versus personal regime) and affects your compliance workload, but the core 10% transfer duty on the property transfer itself still applies regardless of whether you buy as an individual or through a company structure.
There can be a tax difference between new-build and resale properties in Yaoundé, mainly because new-builds from formal developers may trigger VAT at 19.25%, while private resales between individuals typically do not involve VAT, though the 10% transfer duty applies in both cases.
To qualify for any special exemptions that may exist in Yaoundé, buyers should ask their notary to confirm whether their specific property type and buyer profile triggers any targeted relief programs under current regulations.
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.
Which professional fees will I pay as a buyer in Yaoundé in 2026?
How much does a notary or conveyancing lawyer cost in Yaoundé in 2026?
As of early 2026, notary and conveyancing fees in Yaoundé typically range from 2% to 4% of the purchase price, which on a 100 million XAF property means you should budget between 2 million and 4 million XAF (3,280 to 6,560 USD or 3,030 to 6,060 EUR).
Notary and lawyer fees in Yaoundé are generally charged as a percentage of the property price rather than a flat rate, with simpler transactions falling closer to 2% and more complex deals with title issues or multiple signatories pushing toward 4% or higher.
Translation and interpreter services for foreign buyers in Yaoundé typically cost between 50,000 and 250,000 XAF (82 to 410 USD or 76 to 379 EUR), depending on whether you need a one-time signing interpreter or full certified document translations.
Most foreign buyers purchasing a straightforward home in Yaoundé do not need a separate tax advisor if they have a competent notary, but if you plan to rent out the property or buy through a corporate structure, a tax advisor engagement typically costs 150,000 to 600,000 XAF (246 to 984 USD or 227 to 909 EUR).
We have a whole part dedicated to these topics in our our real estate pack about Yaoundé.
What's the typical real estate agent fee in Yaoundé in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical real estate agent fee in Yaoundé is around 5% of the purchase price, which on a 100 million XAF property equals about 5 million XAF (8,200 USD or 7,575 EUR).
In Yaoundé, either the buyer or the seller can pay the agent fee depending on how the deal is structured, and many transactions have the seller paying with the commission built into the asking price, though some situations have the buyer paying a finder's fee directly.
The realistic range for agent fees in Yaoundé spans from 3% to 7% of the property price, with foreign buyers often quoted toward the upper end of that range unless they negotiate the rate and put the agreed terms in writing.
How much do legal checks cost (title, liens, permits) in Yaoundé?
Legal checks including title search, liens verification, and permits review in Yaoundé typically cost between 200,000 and 1,000,000 XAF (328 to 1,640 USD or 303 to 1,515 EUR), with the price depending on the property's complexity and whether remediation steps are needed.
Property valuation fees in Yaoundé generally range from 150,000 to 500,000 XAF (246 to 820 USD or 227 to 758 EUR), which is worth paying even for cash buyers to avoid overpaying and to have a defensible value if questioned later.
The most critical legal check that should never be skipped in Yaoundé is verifying the seller's title chain and checking for encumbrances, because title regularization issues and boundary disputes are among the most common problems foreign buyers encounter in the city.
Buying a property with hidden issues is something we mention in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying real estate in Yaoundé.
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What hidden or surprise costs should I watch for in Yaoundé right now?
What are the most common unexpected fees buyers discover in Yaoundé?
The most common unexpected fees buyers discover in Yaoundé include title regularization costs for missing documents, boundary or survey correction expenses, repeated administrative fees for certified copies and stamps, and utility connection or upgrade costs like power capacity adjustments or backup generator setup.
Yes, there are unpaid property taxes or debts you could inherit when purchasing in Yaoundé, which is why you should always insist on evidence that the seller is current on their annual property tax obligations and that the property identity matches across all documents.
Scams with fake listings and fake fees do occur in Yaoundé, and the typical pattern involves pressure tactics, urgency, and requests for off-platform payments, so your best protection is to pay through traceable channels, verify ownership independently, and ensure all fees match official receipts in the notary's file.
Fees that sellers and agents in Yaoundé often do not disclose upfront include the cost of extra administrative steps needed to fix missing or inconsistent documents, expenses to resolve existing occupants or tenants, and post-purchase repairs required to make the property livable to your standard such as generator installation, water storage, or security upgrades.
In our property pack covering the property buying process in Yaoundé, we go into details so you can avoid these pitfalls.
Are there extra fees if the property has a tenant in Yaoundé?
If the property has a tenant in Yaoundé, buyers may face extra costs of 100,000 to 500,000 XAF (164 to 820 USD or 151 to 758 EUR) for legal and contract cleanup, lease transfer or termination, handover dispute resolution, and any unpaid utilities or deposit issues.
When purchasing a tenanted property in Yaoundé, the buyer inherits the legal obligations of the existing lease, which means you must respect the tenant's rights and the terms of their rental agreement until it expires or is legally terminated.
Terminating an existing lease immediately after purchase in Yaoundé is generally not straightforward, and you will need to follow proper legal procedures which may involve waiting for the lease term to end or negotiating a departure agreement with the tenant.
A sitting tenant in Yaoundé typically weakens the property's market value and gives buyers more negotiating leverage, since many purchasers prefer vacant possession and view existing tenants as a complication that justifies a lower price.
If you want to optimize your rental strategy, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Yaoundé.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Cameroon. 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 Yaoundé?
Which closing costs are negotiable in Yaoundé right now?
The closing costs that are negotiable in Yaoundé include the real estate agent commission rate and who pays it, some notary and administrative line items beyond the core filings, and who covers specific certificates and verification steps.
The costs that are fixed by law and cannot be negotiated in Yaoundé include the 10% registration and transfer duty, which is set by the Cameroon General Tax Code and applies uniformly to all standard property transfers.
On the negotiable fees in Yaoundé, buyers can typically achieve discounts of 1% to 2% on agent commissions and modest reductions on certain administrative extras, especially if they demonstrate they are serious, can close quickly, and have clear proof of funds.
Can I ask the seller to cover some closing costs in Yaoundé?
In Yaoundé, there is a reasonable likelihood that a seller will agree to cover some closing costs, especially if you negotiate for them to pay the agent fee, deliver a fully regularized title file, or reduce the sale price to share the tax burden.
The specific closing costs that sellers in Yaoundé are most commonly willing to cover include the real estate agent commission (often built into their asking price) and the expense of obtaining any missing documents or certificates needed to complete a clean transfer.
Sellers in Yaoundé are more likely to accept covering closing costs when the property has been on the market for a while, when the title documentation is messy, when the property needs visible repairs, or when they need to sell quickly for personal or financial reasons.
Is price bargaining common in Yaoundé in 2026?
As of early 2026, price bargaining is common and expected in Yaoundé, and most sellers anticipate some negotiation rather than receiving their full asking price.
Buyers in Yaoundé typically negotiate 5% to 10% below the asking price, which on a 100 million XAF property means potential savings of 5 to 10 million XAF (8,200 to 16,400 USD or 7,575 to 15,150 EUR), with even larger discounts possible when the seller needs to move quickly, the title file has issues, or the property requires significant work.
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What monthly, quarterly or annual costs will I pay as an owner in Yaoundé?
What's the realistic monthly owner budget in Yaoundé right now?
A realistic monthly owner budget for a typical apartment or house in Yaoundé ranges from 50,000 to 200,000 XAF (82 to 328 USD or 76 to 303 EUR), covering utilities, basic maintenance, and security-related expenses.
The main recurring expense categories that make up this monthly budget in Yaoundé include electricity (often the largest item), water, building maintenance or guard fees if applicable, and backup power costs such as generator fuel or inverter maintenance.
The realistic low-to-high range for monthly owner costs in Yaoundé depends heavily on property type, with a modest apartment in a neighborhood like Mvan or Biyem-Assi potentially costing around 50,000 XAF per month, while a larger house in Bastos or the Quartier du Lac with heavy air conditioning use, security, and generator reliance could exceed 200,000 XAF monthly.
Electricity cost is the monthly expense that tends to vary the most in Yaoundé because of unreliable grid power, meaning many owners invest in backup systems like generators or solar inverters, and your actual ENEO bill depends heavily on your consumption category and how often you rely on backup power.
You can see how this budget affect your gross and rental yields in Yaoundé here.
What is the annual property tax amount in Yaoundé in 2026?
As of early 2026, the annual property tax (taxe sur la propriété foncière or TPF) in Yaoundé is 0.1% of the declared value of the land and buildings, so a property with a declared value of 100 million XAF would owe about 100,000 XAF per year (164 USD or 151 EUR).
The realistic range for annual property taxes in Yaoundé depends on the declared property value, meaning a modest 50 million XAF property might owe 50,000 XAF annually (82 USD or 76 EUR), while a higher-value 300 million XAF property could owe 300,000 XAF per year (492 USD or 455 EUR).
Property tax in Yaoundé is calculated based on the declared value of the land and constructions as recorded in the property file, which is why you should work with your notary to confirm the official declared value and ensure it is consistent across your documents.
Certain exemptions or reductions may exist for specific property types or social housing programs in Yaoundé, but broad blanket discounts for homeowners are not widely advertised, so you should verify your eligibility for any relief with your notary or tax advisor.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Cameroon. 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 Yaoundé in 2026?
What tax rate applies to rental income in Yaoundé in 2026?
As of early 2026, rental income in Yaoundé is classified as "revenus fonciers" by the tax authority, and when your tenant is a withholding agent such as a company or public organization, a 15% prepayment called "précompte sur loyers" is typically deducted from your rent payments.
Landlords in Yaoundé can generally deduct expenses from their rental income taxes, with the common approach being a standard deduction of around 30% of gross rental revenue, or alternatively documenting actual expenses if that produces a better result for your situation.
After accounting for the standard deduction, the realistic effective tax rate for typical landlords in Yaoundé falls below the headline 15% prepayment rate, though your final tax liability depends on your overall income situation and whether you have documented expenses to claim.
Foreign property owners in Yaoundé do not face a fundamentally different rental income tax rate than residents, but the withholding and filing mechanics may feel more burdensome if you are not in the country, making professional support for compliance worthwhile.
Do I pay tax on short-term rentals in Yaoundé in 2026?
As of early 2026, short-term rental income in Yaoundé is taxable, and operating a short-term rental may position you closer to a professional activity requiring more rigorous registration, record-keeping, and potentially additional local or tourism-related obligations.
Short-term rental income in Yaoundé is not necessarily taxed at a different rate than long-term rentals, but the compliance burden tends to be heavier because of the more commercial nature of the activity and the potential need for business-type registration depending on your scale.
If you want to optimize your rental strategy, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Yaoundé.
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If I sell later, what taxes and fees will I pay in Yaoundé in 2026?
What's the total cost of selling as a % of price in Yaoundé in 2026?
As of early 2026, the total cost of selling a property in Yaoundé typically ranges from 7% to 12% of the sale price, depending on how the deal is structured and which costs the seller agrees to cover.
The realistic low-to-high percentage range for total selling costs in Yaoundé spans from about 7% for a straightforward sale with minimal agent involvement to 12% or more when factoring in full agent commission, legal fees, and applicable taxes.
The specific cost categories that make up selling expenses in Yaoundé include agent commission (often the largest item), seller-side legal and administrative fees, capital gains tax if applicable, and any costs to prepare documents or resolve outstanding property issues before transfer.
In most Yaoundé transactions, the real estate agent commission is the single largest contributor to selling expenses, typically accounting for 3% to 7% of the sale price depending on the agreement between seller and agent.
What capital gains tax applies when selling in Yaoundé in 2026?
As of early 2026, capital gains tax on the sale of property in Yaoundé is approximately 5% based on the rate presented in the DGI technical summary, though you should confirm the exact computation method with your tax advisor for your specific situation.
Exemptions to capital gains tax in Yaoundé may exist depending on the nature of the property, the holding period, or special regimes, but these are evaluated case by case, so you should budget as if the tax applies and treat any exemption as a bonus after professional confirmation.
Foreign sellers in Yaoundé do not face an explicit higher capital gains tax rate than residents according to the main rate summaries, though the documentation and compliance process may feel more burdensome for non-residents who need to navigate the system from abroad.
Capital gains in Yaoundé are generally calculated as the difference between the sale price and the original purchase price, potentially adjusted for documented improvement costs, though the exact methodology should be confirmed with your notary or tax professional to ensure you capture all allowable deductions.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Cameroon 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 Yaoundé, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cameroon DGI - Taxe Foncière | Official tax authority page explaining property tax rules directly to taxpayers. | We used it to confirm the 0.1% annual property tax rate and the declared value basis. We also referenced it for payment timing and compliance requirements. |
| Cameroon DGI Technical Sheet | DGI-produced reference table summarizing official tax rates in one document. | We used it as our main rate cross-check for transfer duties, capital gains, and VAT. We also used it to validate ranges when practice can vary by deal structure. |
| Cameroon General Tax Code | The primary legal text that sets tax rates, not just commentary. | We used it to confirm the legal basis for the 10% registration duty on property transfers. We treated it as the non-negotiable backbone for buyer closing cost estimates. |
| PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries - Cameroon | Major global tax firm providing structured, reviewable law summaries. | We used it to cross-check rental income treatment and deduction approaches. We also used it to validate DGI concepts against an international tax lens. |
| KPMG Africa Fiscal Guide - Cameroon | Major advisory firm guide designed for compliance and risk reduction. | We used it as secondary confirmation for property tax and stamp duty concepts. We mainly used it for triangulation alongside newer DGI sources. |
| Cameroon DGI - Revenus Fonciers | Tax authority's own definition of rental property income. | We used it to define what counts as rental income for residential properties. We mapped that definition to the taxes a foreign landlord is likely to face. |
| Cameroon DGI - Précompte sur Loyers | Official DGI document showing the withholding rate in operational context. | We used it to confirm the 15% rental prepayment rate applied in practice. We explained when foreign owners face this withholding mechanism. |
| Cameroon Ministry of Housing - Agent Law | Government ministry hosting the legal framework for real estate agents. | We used it to frame what an "agent immobilier" is legally in Cameroon. We also used it to justify why agent fees are negotiable and must be documented. |
| ENEO Cameroon Electricity Tariffs | Main national electricity operator publishing the official tariff reference. | We used it to ground the monthly owner budget section in an official utility source. We translated it into practical budgeting guidance for Yaoundé homeowners. |
| Global Property Guide | Long-running international property cost compendium with explicit methodology. | We used it as a benchmark for total transaction cost ranges and plausibility checks. We ensured our estimates align with what international datasets observe. |
| Presidency of Cameroon - 2026 Finance Law | Official presidential publication channel for enacted laws. | We used it to confirm we are writing as of early 2026 with the latest Finance Law in effect. We used it as a top-level reference while relying on DGI texts for exact rates. |
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