Moving to Cambodia
One of the easiest countries in Asia to settle in, with a famously simple long stay visa, the US dollar in daily use, and low costs. Here is the honest brief on shipping your home to Cambodia, how customs handles used effects, the visa route, and how you settle in.
The simplest long stay in Asia, with rough edges to match.
Cambodia has built a reputation as the path of least resistance for living in Southeast Asia. The long stay visa is genuinely simple, the cost of living is low, the US dollar circulates alongside the local riel so newcomers avoid currency friction, and Cambodians are warm and relaxed with foreigners. Phnom Penh is a fast changing riverside capital, and Siem Reap sits beside the temples of Angkor.
It suits remote workers and entrepreneurs who want minimal visa hassle, retirees stretching a pension, people working in development and the non profit sector, and the adventurous who want an affordable Asian base without the rising costs and tightening rules of some neighbours. It rewards those who are comfortable with a developing country, where the ease of staying is balanced by gaps in infrastructure, healthcare, and governance.
What surprises people is the contrast between how easy it is to stay and how undeveloped some basics remain. The visa is the simplest in the region, but you give that back in patchy roads, limited public healthcare, and the need to self provide for things a wealthier country would handle for you.
The realistic routes in.
Cambodia keeps it simple. Most long stay foreigners enter on an ordinary visa, the E visa, then extend it inside the country, most commonly as a business extension, which can be renewed year after year. There is no complex points or sponsorship system for most people.
The ordinary visa, often called the E visa, is the entry point for anyone planning to stay. It is straightforward to obtain on arrival or online and is the visa you later extend from inside the country.
The most common long stay extension, the EB, can be granted for six months or a year and renewed indefinitely. Despite the name it is widely used by retirees, remote workers, and others, and an agent typically handles it. It is the backbone of long term living here.
A retirement extension exists for older applicants who are not working, with its own conditions. Many retirees nonetheless use the business extension for its flexibility. Confirm which fits your circumstances.
People employed by a Cambodian entity hold the relevant work documentation alongside their visa. Requirements are lighter than in much of the region, but confirm the current position before you rely on any route.
Bringing your household goods in.
Cambodia does not offer the broad transfer of residence relief common in Europe. Household goods and personal effects are generally treated as imported goods and can attract customs duty and tax, assessed on the value of the shipment, with thresholds above which formal declaration and payment apply. The authority is the General Department of Customs and Excise, and sea freight clears through the deep water port at Sihanoukville before moving by road to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.
Because relief is limited, most people moving to Cambodia ship modestly. Furniture and household basics are cheap to buy locally, and many newcomers bring only personal effects, electronics, and items of real sentimental or practical value, accepting some duty rather than shipping a full container that will be taxed. A clear valued inventory is required, and using an experienced agent for clearance is strongly advised given how the process actually runs on the ground.
Restricted items follow Cambodian rules, and bringing a vehicle is rarely worthwhile given the duties and the local market. Plan your shipment as a lean one, weigh the duty against the cost of buying locally, and treat customs as the part of the move that needs the most local help.
How to pick a mover for this route, without the guesswork.
We do not rank or recommend individual companies. We teach you the criteria that separate a safe international move from an expensive mistake, then put your request in front of vetted movers who run this lane.
Check the trade affiliation. Membership of FIDI or IAM is the clearest signal a mover is financially screened and bound to industry standards for international household goods. For Cambodia, an experienced local clearing partner matters more than usual. Confirm the mover clears through Sihanoukville, understands that goods are dutiable here rather than relieved, and can manage the road leg to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.
Insist on a binding pre move survey. A real video or in home survey of your volume is the only honest basis for a price. A quote given without one is a guess that tends to grow on moving day.
Compare like for like. Read what each quote includes: packing, materials, customs clearance, destination delivery, stair or long carry charges, and insurance. The cheapest headline number is rarely the cheapest move.
Understand the insurance terms. Ask whether cover is full replacement value or depreciated, what the excess is, and how claims are handled. Read the valuation clause before you sign.
Read recent reviews for this corridor. A mover can be excellent locally and weak on international shipments. Look for verified reviews that mention the actual route and customs experience.
What life costs once you land.
Cambodia is among the cheaper countries in the region, and the use of the US dollar makes budgeting easy for many newcomers. Phnom Penh is the most expensive city and still low by western standards.
Indicative 2026 figures in US dollars, which circulate in daily use alongside the Cambodian riel. Your lifestyle will move these numbers.
Where people land
Phnom Penh, the riverside capital, holds most of the jobs, the international community, and the best services and healthcare. Siem Reap, beside the Angkor temples, is smaller, calmer, and popular with those who want a slower pace. The coast at Sihanoukville and Kampot draws beach seekers, though Sihanoukville has changed fast with development. Most newcomers start in Phnom Penh and decide from there.
Healthcare and banking
Healthcare is the real limitation. Public facilities are weak, and even the best private hospitals in Phnom Penh fall short of regional leaders, so serious cases are often referred to Bangkok or Singapore. Comprehensive international health insurance with evacuation cover is close to essential, not optional. Confirm exactly what your policy includes.
Banking is straightforward for foreigners by regional standards, and the widespread use of the US dollar means you can operate largely in dollars. Opening a local account is usually possible with your passport and visa, and many people keep an international account alongside. There is no personal identity number system for foreigners of the kind found in Europe, so your passport and visa do most of the identification work.
Your first month checklist
- 1Enter on the ordinary E visa, then arrange your business or retirement extension from inside the country, usually through an agent.
- 2Arrange comprehensive international health insurance with medical evacuation cover before you arrive.
- 3Plan a lean shipment, weighing duty against the low cost of buying furniture and basics locally.
- 4Open a local bank account with your passport and visa, and keep an international account alongside.
- 5Get a local SIM, which is cheap, and set up an app based tuk tuk or ride hailing account.
- 6Identify the best private hospital in your city and know the route to Bangkok or Singapore for serious care.
Get moving quotes for Cambodia.
Tell us your origin, size, and timing. We pass your request to vetted international movers who run the route to Cambodia and understand its customs, and you compare them on your own terms.
Questions people ask about this move.
How much does it cost to move to Cambodia?
From the Gulf or Asia, a two to three bedroom move by sea to Sihanoukville can run from roughly 3,000 to 7,000 US dollars. From Europe, North America, or Oceania, plan on around 6,000 to 11,000 US dollars or more. Remember Cambodia can tax used goods, so factor that in. These are indicative 2026 ranges, not a quote.
How does the Cambodia long stay visa work?
Most long stay foreigners enter on the ordinary E visa, then extend it inside the country, most commonly as a business extension, the EB, granted for six months or a year and renewable indefinitely. An agent usually handles the extension. It is one of the simplest long stay systems in Asia. Confirm the current rules before you rely on it.
Do I pay duty on my household goods in Cambodia?
Often yes. Cambodia generally treats used household goods as imported goods subject to customs duty and tax above set thresholds, rather than offering broad transfer of residence relief. Many people ship modestly and buy locally as a result. Confirm the current rates with the General Department of Customs and Excise.
Do I need a local identity number for Cambodia?
No. There is no personal identity number system for foreigners of the kind found in Europe. Your passport and visa do most of the identification work, including for opening a bank account, which is straightforward by regional standards.
How long does shipping to Cambodia take?
By sea to Sihanoukville, expect roughly three to five weeks from the Gulf and Asia and five to seven weeks or more from Europe, North America, and Oceania, plus customs clearance and the road leg to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.
Is healthcare a problem in Cambodia?
It is the main drawback. Public healthcare is weak and even private hospitals fall short for serious cases, which are often referred to Bangkok or Singapore. Comprehensive international insurance with evacuation cover is close to essential for anyone living here.
Moving to Cambodia from where you are.
Start from your country hub for the costs, customs, and timeline specific to that route, or browse them all on the corridors index.
From North America
From Britain and Ireland
From the Gulf
From Oceania
We refresh destination guides as rules and prices change.
Last reviewed: 16 May 2026. We refresh this guide as costs, customs, and visa rules change.