Expat Guide: Living in Cambodia 2026

Cambodia is one of Southeast Asia's most accessible expat destinations — ultra-low cost of living, a fully dollarised economy (USD used everywhere), relatively straightforward residency via business or ordinary visa, and Phnom Penh and Siem Reap offer surprisingly vibrant expat communities.

Last updated: March 2026 — 编辑团队, eVisa-Card.com

Cambodia at a Glance

CapitalPhnom Penh
CurrencyCambodian Riel (KHR) / USD
LanguageKhmer
Monthly cost~$700–1,400/month

🛂 Visa & Residency Options

Visa TypeDetails
E-Visa (T class / Tourist)Available online at evisa.gov.kh. 30 days, single entry, extendable once for 30 days. Cost: $30 + $6 processing fee.
Ordinary Visa (E class)Available on arrival or online. 30 days, can be extended multiple times. The 'E' visa is the basis for most long-term stays. Extensions: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year (multiple entry possible on 1-year extension).
Business Visa (EB class)For those conducting business. Extendable for 1 year multiple entry. Popular with expat business owners and remote workers.
Retirement ExtensionNo specific retirement visa, but those 55+ can apply for a 1-year 'retirement' extension of their ordinary visa. Requires proof of $1,500/month income or $50,000 in bank.
CAMKIDS Visa (for families)Specific category for foreign family members of Cambodian nationals.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Apply for E-Visa online before travel OR obtain visa on arrival at Phnom Penh / Siem Reap airports
  2. For long-term stay: extend your E-class visa at an immigration agent or the Department of Immigration
  3. Most expats use an immigration agent (~$200–350/year for 1-year multiple-entry EB extension)
  4. Register your address at the local sangkat (commune) office
  5. Obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN) at the General Department of Taxation if working
💡 Pro Tip: Cambodia's visa system is very foreigner-friendly. A 1-year multiple-entry business extension (~$300 via an agent) is the de facto 'digital nomad visa'. No minimum stay requirement, no income proof needed at most immigration offices.

🏥 Healthcare in Cambodia

Public Healthcare

Cambodia's public healthcare system is very limited. Most public hospitals lack basic equipment and medicines. Expats should use private hospitals for all care beyond minor issues.

Private Healthcare

Private hospitals in Phnom Penh (Royal Rattanak Hospital, Sen Sok International University Hospital, Naga Clinic, Sunrise Japan Hospital) provide adequate to good care. Siem Reap has Royal Angkor International Hospital. For serious conditions, Bangkok is the standard evacuation destination (~1 hour by plane).

Typical Costs

ServiceCost
Private GP consultation$25–60
Specialist consultation$50–100
Emergency room (private Phnom Penh)$100–500
Hospitalisation (private, per night)$200–600
Dental cleaning$25–50
Medical evacuation to Bangkok$5,000–20,000 (without insurance)
ℹ️ Recommended: As with Laos, medical evacuation insurance is essential in Cambodia. For anything beyond routine care, Bangkok's Bumrungrad or Samitivej hospitals are the standard destination.

🛡️ Health Insurance in Cambodia

International health insurance is not required for any visa category in Cambodia but is essential for safety. The combination of limited local facilities and proximity to excellent Thai hospitals makes evacuation coverage critical.

Top Providers for Expats

Pacific Cross Cambodia
Local expat-focused insurer. Good network of Phnom Penh private hospitals. From ~$600/year.
BUPA Global
Strong medical evacuation and Thailand coverage. From ~$1,500/year.
Cigna Global
International plan with broad coverage. Good for frequent travellers. From ~$1,000/year.
AXA Global Healthcare
Comprehensive worldwide plan with repatriation. From ~$1,200/year.
SafetyWing
Budget nomad insurance. Covers evacuation. Popular in the expat community. From ~$45/month.
💡 Pro Tip: Ensure your plan explicitly covers medical evacuation to Thailand. Pacific Cross Cambodia is a good local option and is widely accepted at Phnom Penh's private hospitals.

🏦 Opening a Bank Account in Cambodia

Cambodia's fully dollarised economy makes banking straightforward — USD accounts are the norm. Account opening is relatively easy for foreigners, even on tourist visa at some banks.

Recommended Banks

ABA BankCambodia's most popular bank among expats. Excellent English app, ABA PAY digital payments, easy account opening. Most recommended.
Canadia BankGood for business accounts and larger transactions. English service available.
ACLEDA BankLargest bank by branches. Good for transfers within Cambodia and to Vietnam/Laos.
FTB Bank (Foreign Trade Bank)State bank. Good for USD transfers. Strong relationship with Chinese banks.
Wing MoneyMobile money service (not a full bank) used for daily transactions. Very popular.

Required Documents

  • Valid passport
  • Cambodian visa (tourist may be accepted at ABA Bank)
  • Proof of address (guesthouse or rental contract)
  • Cambodian phone number (for app)
  • Initial deposit ($100–500 for most account types)

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Visit ABA Bank branch in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap
  2. Present passport and visa
  3. Complete account opening form
  4. Account opened same day in most cases
  5. Download ABA Mobile app — one of the best banking apps in Southeast Asia
💡 Pro Tip: ABA Bank is the unanimous favourite among Phnom Penh expats — the app is excellent, account opening is fast (sometimes with just a tourist visa), and the service is in English. Open a USD account as the primary account for daily use.

🏠 Buying Property in Cambodia

Foreigners CANNOT own land in Cambodia, but the law was amended in 2010 to allow foreigners to own condominium units on the 2nd floor and above (not ground floor or land). Workarounds include 50-year long-term leases and Cambodian company structures.

Options for Foreigners

Condominium Ownership (freehold)
Foreign ownership permitted from the 2nd floor upward in approved condominium buildings. Growing inventory in Phnom Penh. Sihanoukville and Siem Reap also have options.
Long-term Lease (50 years, renewable)
Land and houses can be leased for 50 years, renewable for another 50. Common for villas and townhouses.
Cambodian Company (99% practical)
Many foreigners form a Cambodian company (with a Cambodian nominee director holding 51% of shares on paper). Legal but carries risk if done improperly.
LMAP-Titled Land via Cambodian spouse
Land held in a Cambodian spouse's name. Common but risky without legal protections.

Purchase Process

  1. Hire a reputable Cambodian real estate lawyer
  2. Verify the title (LMAP Title — the most secure type; avoid Soft Title)
  3. For condos: check building is registered with MLMUPC as foreigner-eligible
  4. Sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and pay deposit
  5. Lawyer conducts due diligence: title, permits, developer reputation
  6. Sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA)
  7. Transfer at the relevant authority and receive your ownership certificate

Typical Costs

ItemCost
Transfer tax (registration fee)4% of property value
Stamp duty0.1% of registered value
Notarisation~$200–500
Lawyer fees$1,000–3,000
Annual property tax0.1% of assessed value above $25,000
Annual rental income tax (if renting out)14% withholding tax
💡 Pro Tip: Only buy condos in Cambodia — they are the only truly secure form of foreign property ownership under Cambodian law. Leasehold villas and company-held land carry significant legal risk. In Phnom Penh, Boeung Keng Kang (BKK1) and Tonle Bassac are the most expat-friendly neighbourhoods.

About This Guide

This guide is researched and maintained by the editorial team at eVisa-Card.com. 最后更新:2026年3月。 Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult a licensed professional before making major decisions.


📚 Official Sources & References

Editorial Team — eVisa-Card.com

Expat guides written by travel experts, immigration specialists and expats with first-hand experience in Cambodia.

✔ Verified information ✔ Updated March 2026 ✔ Official sources cited