Buying Property in Rwanda Step by Step
Step by step
How to buy property in Rwanda
The checks, the notarised sale and the online transfer of a parcel. The transfer is free and takes about 7 working days.
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Check the parcel
Get the UPI from the seller and check the registered holder, lease term, mortgages and caveats in the land register.
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Check the zoning
Confirm in the City of Kigali master plan or the district land use plan that the plot may be used as planned.
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Check the taxes
Make sure the parcel has no unpaid property tax with the Rwanda Revenue Authority.
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Sign the sale
Both sides sign the sale contract before a land notary, the RDB One Stop Centre or a private notary.
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Apply for the transfer
File the transfer online on IremboGov with the notarised contract.
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Get the e-title
Once the Registrar approves the transfer, download the e-title.
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Declare the property
Declare and pay property tax to the Rwanda Revenue Authority each year by 31 December.
The steps
| Step | What happens | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Check the parcel | Get the UPI from the seller and check the registered holder, the lease term, mortgages and caveats | Land register, through IremboGov or a land office |
| 2. Check the zoning | Confirm that the plot may be used for what you plan | City of Kigali master plan portal, or the district land use plan |
| 3. Check the taxes | The parcel must have no unpaid property tax | Rwanda Revenue Authority |
| 4. Sign the sale | Both sides sign the sale contract before a notary | Land notary, district or RDB One Stop Centre, or a private notary |
| 5. Apply for the transfer | The application is filed online with the notarised contract | IremboGov |
| 6. Get the e-title | The Registrar approves the transfer and the buyer downloads the title | IremboGov and the land information portal |
| 7. Declare the property | The new holder declares and pays property tax each year | Rwanda Revenue Authority, by 31 December |
Before you pay
- Ask for the UPI, which looks like 1/03/01/04/30, and check it against the land register.
- Make sure every holder named on the title signs the sale.
- Look for caveats on the record. A caveat is noted in the land register and warns of a claim on the land.
- Check the plot against the master plan. In Kigali the zoning map is online, and it shows what may be built on each plot.
- For a foreigner, check that the purchase fits the limit of one house plot or one apartment.
Signing and the transfer
The sale can be notarised by a land notary at the sector or district, at a district One Stop Centre, at the RDB One Stop Centre in Kigali or by a licensed private notary. A public notary charges RWF 500 per notarised page and a private notary RWF 6,500 per copy. A foreign buyer signs with a passport.
The transfer is then filed on IremboGov. For a voluntary sale it takes 7 working days and is free. Under the National Land Authority’s One Step One Day service, commercial and industrial property is transferred in a day. The new title is issued electronically.
Powers of attorney
On 16 October 2025 the National Land Authority suspended the use of powers of attorney made inside Rwanda for land transactions, after cases of forged documents. Powers of attorney made abroad are still accepted if they meet the legal requirements. The suspension lasts until the Ministry of Justice’s e-notary system is in use. Check the current position before you plan a purchase from abroad.
If you plan to build
A building needs a construction permit, applied for online through the Building Permit Management Information System (BPMIS). The applicant uploads the land title, the receipt for the current year’s property tax, the drawings and, for larger projects, an environmental assessment. A pre-application meeting with the One Stop Centre is free. An occupancy permit is issued once the building is finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I buy property in Rwanda?
Check the parcel’s UPI, title and zoning, sign the sale before a notary, apply for the transfer on IremboGov, then receive the e-title and pay the property tax that follows.
How long does the transfer take?
7 working days after a voluntary sale, or 1 day for commercial and industrial property.
What does the transfer cost?
The land transfer and new title are free. A public notary charges RWF 500 per notarised page.
Sources
- National Land Authority: Frequently asked questions
- IremboGov: Frequently asked questions about title transfer (voluntary sale)
- IremboGov: How to apply for title transfer (voluntary sale)
- National Land Authority: One Step One Day transfer
- City of Kigali: Zoning regulations of the Kigali Master Plan 2050 (PDF)
- Rwanda Revenue Authority: Immovable property tax
- Ministry of Environment: Ministerial Instructions on the possession of residential land by a foreigner, February 2023 (PDF)
- The New Times: Why land power of attorney transactions was suspended
- Building Permit Management Information System: Construction permit checklist (PDF)
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
