How To Buy a Property in Mauritania As a Foreigner

Mauritania is a rewarding destination for foreign investors looking to purchase real estate. It is a beautiful desert country with warm people and an interesting culture. However, moving to Mauritania can be a challenge if you do not have the right information.  From the cost of living to doing business in Mauritania or acquiring property, information is everything.

In this article, we are going to be focusing on how you can buy property in Mauritania as a foreigner with less hassles.

What You Need To Know Before Purchasing a Property in Mauritania

Foreigners can buy real estate in Mauritania and they are allowed to purchase buildings or structures, but the ownership of the land itself is under leasehold rights. This means that the ultimate ownership may revert to the state or the original owner after the lease period ends.

As a foreigner, you do not necessarily have to reside in Mauritania to purchase properties in Mauritania. However, the process might be easier for those who have a Mauritania visa or a form of residency status in Mauritania, as this can make the legal process of property acquisition faster. 

You would need special authorizations from certain governmental bodies when purchasing a property in Mauritania. This process might involve checks to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations, including those related to financial transactions and land use. The rules involved in these processes may differ based on your country of origin, the agreements your country has with Mauritania, the type of property and the area in which you're looking to invest.

Another thing to take into consideration is where you intend to buy a property.  Currently, Nouakchott  and Nouadhibou are the most developed cities in Mauritania with advanced infrastructure and amenities that can't be found in other parts of Mauritania.  They are also relatively safe locations.

Nouakchott is the capital city, economic and administrative center of Mauritania while Nouadhibou is the major port city, fishing industry, industrial and center of commercial activities.

Risks And The Process Involved in The Buying of Properties in Mauritania

When buying a property in Mauritania, there are several risks involved. The major risk is the absence of legal protection in regards to property rights. Mauritania has no sufficient legal framework to protect buyers from unfair and fraudulent practices, which can lead to losses for buyers.

Another problem is the lack of transparency in the property market. There is a lot of misinformation about real estate purchase requirements and process especially in regards to buying properties as a foreigner. In situations where there is a language barrier, buyers may end up making costly mistakes.

Additionally, due to the lack of regulation and oversight, buyers may have to bribe their way in order to get things done faster and they could also be exploited during property registration in the governmental organization responsible for property regulation. 

It is to your best interest to engage a local lawyer when purchasing a property in Mauritania as a foreigner. This will ensure that you meet the legal requirements and achieve a successful property acquisition. 

Your Mauritanian lawyer can help you with the Purchase Agreement (Acte de Vente), a legally binding contract between the buyer and seller that outlines the terms and conditions of the sale.

Your lawyer can also help with a Property Title Search (Recherche de Titre Foncier) to verify the property's ownership status, assist you in obtaining the necessary permits and approvals, such as approval from the local Land Registry, property transfer tax and notary Fees in compliance with Mauritanian property laws.

Some of the documents you would be needing to finalize the property acquisition process in Mauritania include:

• A copy of your identity card/international passport

• A copy of the seller's identity card 

• The deed of sale signed by you and the seller 

• The deed of transfer signed by you and the seller

• A copy of the title deed of the property

• A copy of the property tax receipt

• A copy of the land registry certificate

• An affidavit of non-encumbrance

Conclusion 

Ready to buy your dream home in Mauritania? Here is a listing of verified real estate agents in Mauritania.  Although they provide renters with quality unfurnished apartments in Nouakchott, some of them offer homes for sale within and outside Nouakchott, Mauritania. 

You can also get a private taxi to drive you around if you are an English speaker in Nouakchott. We eliminate the frustration of finding a private taxi as a non-French or Arabic speaker. Explore Mauritania with no language barrier with Noora Taxi.