Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Relocating to Cambodia is attracting more and more expats: moderate cost of living, warm climate, fascinating heritage, Sihanoukville beaches and Angkor temples within weekend trip distance. But behind the “Land of Smiles” image lies a harsher reality: very present organized crime, incomplete infrastructure, fragile healthcare system, endemic corruption. None of this means one should abandon an expatriation project, but that it must be prepared with particular vigilance.
To live in Cambodia with control and without naivety, it is essential to understand the country’s risk level, adapt your lifestyle to local realities, and establish solid safety margins legally, financially, medically, and digitally.
Understanding the Real Security Context
Cambodia combines a high level of petty crime, a very powerful organized crime presence, and institutions that remain weak. For an expat, this translates to a “manageable” daily environment, provided certain situations are avoided and one does not blindly rely on the state in case of problems.
Crime Indices and Risk Perception
Several indicators highlight the country’s fragility regarding security. Cambodia is ranked as the country with the highest crime rate in ASEAN with a score of 51.3/100, far behind Singapore, considered the safest in the region with 22.6/100. On a global organized crime index, it ranks 17th out of 193 countries, fifth in Asia and second in Southeast Asia. Its capacity to resist this crime is very weak, with a global rank of 149th.
More than 6.7 million visitors came to the country in 2024, demonstrating its appeal despite a paradoxical security context.
Official advice from Western countries reflects this intermediate situation: the United States or Australia remain at a globally low to medium alert level, while Canada recommends increased caution. The United Kingdom goes further by formally advising against travel to certain sectors of the territory. All, however, point to Phnom Penh and certain border areas as more sensitive.
Everyday Crime: What Actually Affects Expats
In large cities, petty crime is the primary source of inconvenience. Bag or phone snatchings from motorcycles are frequent, especially along the Mekong riverbanks, in the BKK neighborhoods of Phnom Penh, or on the beaches of Sihanoukville. Pickpockets in crowded markets, thefts from unlocked hotel rooms, bag snatches from tuk-tuks: these are the most common incidents reported by travelers and foreign residents.
Armed assaults, which also affect foreigners, are fueled by the illegal circulation of firearms, sometimes diverted from police or military arsenals. Violent burglaries and armed robberies of businesses can occur, particularly at night and on the outskirts of cities.
Scams are omnipresent: taxis and tuk-tuks without meters that overcharge, fake US dollars given as change, rigged card games, fake “good deal” real estate offers, bogus charities, not to mention the entire ecosystem of cyberfraud (romance scams, crypto, fake investment platforms). The nickname “Scambodia” reflects this reality: for an expat, the main danger is not necessarily physical, but financial and psychological.
Organized Crime, Corruption, and Areas to Avoid
The country plays a key role in several criminal markets: human trafficking, synthetic drug trafficking (methamphetamine, ketamine), illegal logging, wildcat gold or sand mining, cigarette or alcohol smuggling. Groups linked to the Chinese diaspora dominate many activities, notably online scam centers, where thousands of people—including foreigners—are forced to work.
Sihanoukville, certain neighborhoods of Phnom Penh, Poipet, Bavet, or Takeo are regularly cited as hotspots for criminal activities. These closed compounds host clandestine gambling, cyberfraud, and human trafficking. According to NGOs and several investigations, state actors, including some police or military, provide protection for these sites. Amnesty International has identified about fifty such compounds, where torture, kidnapping, and trafficking take place. In 2025, a large-scale operation led to the arrest of over 2,000 people.
For an expat, the challenge is not to cross paths with these networks by chance, but to avoid being sucked in through job offers that are too good to be true, especially in border “call centers.” Employment scams promising high salaries, accommodation and visa included are one gateway into these structures.
Preparing Your Expatriation: Visa, Legal Framework, and First Steps
A smooth expatriation starts with an impeccable administrative status. In Cambodia, being in order is not just a formality: it is also protection in the face of an opaque judicial system, where corruption and arbitrariness can weigh heavily on ill-advised foreigners.
Visas, Registration, and Work
All foreigners need a visa. Short stays are usually done with a one-month tourist visa, often obtained online. To work, a business visa and a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labor are mandatory. Expats who accumulate years without a permit risk retroactive fines.
Cambodia has implemented the FPCS (Foreigners Present in Cambodia System) for the digital declaration of foreigners. This application requires the registration of documents such as photos, passport copies, and leases. Property owners and hotels are required to declare their guests within 24 hours. Failure to register in this system can lead to complications for visa renewal and serve as a pretext during a check by authorities.
It is prudent to keep paper and digital copies of all documents (passport, visas, permits, work contracts, lease). Originals should be kept in a safe, not in your everyday bag, where a simple motorbike theft could turn into an administrative nightmare.
The Judicial System: Why It’s Best Never to Test It
The Constitution theoretically guarantees significant rights (prohibition of torture, right to a fair trial…), and the country has ratified major international treaties. But in practice, the justice system suffers from a lack of independence, widespread corruption, and strong political influence.
Summary of the main problems related to detention before trial and prison living conditions, based on international reports.
Can reach 18 months for felonies, including for foreign nationals.
Prison overcrowding, hygiene issues, food problems, and lack of access to medical care.
Reports of violence during custody or in prison, with insufficient prosecution for these abuses.
For an expat, the golden rule is therefore simple: avoid as much as possible any conflict with the police and the justice system, even for matters that seem minor. Driving without a license, a traffic accident with injuries, drug use, a bar fight, insults on social media targeting the king: all these behaviors can escalate quickly. The lese-majeste law, in particular, is enforced and can lead to prison for criticizing the monarch, including online.
In case of arrest, it is essential to contact your embassy immediately, to remain calm and polite, not to sign any documents you don’t understand, and to request an interpreter and a lawyer. Consulates can provide lists of English or French-speaking lawyers, but do not intervene in the judicial procedure itself.
Health, Insurance, and Access to Care: A Vital Issue
One of the most sensitive points for expats in Cambodia remains health. The country has made progress, but the public system remains very limited in quality, resources, and accessibility, especially outside Phnom Penh.
A Fragile and Very Unequal Public System
Cambodia dedicates a relatively modest share of its GDP to health, with annual health expenditures per capita of around 120 US dollars. Over 60% of health expenditures are borne directly by households. In practice, many Cambodians hesitate to go to public hospitals, perceived as overcrowded, under-equipped, and sometimes corrupt, especially in rural areas.
The concentration of doctors in the capital reinforces these imbalances, with about three-quarters of doctors and specialists based in Phnom Penh. For expats living in remote provinces, this often means several hours’ drive to access any serious medical facilities.
Infectious diseases remain numerous: tuberculosis, water-borne diseases (dysentery, cholera, hepatitis), dengue, and even malaria in some areas. Prevention (vaccines, food hygiene, mosquito nets, repellents) is therefore a central part of personal security.
The Almost Obligatory Turn to Private Care… and Abroad
Most expats turn to the private sector, more expensive but better equipped, with often English-speaking staff. In Phnom Penh, international clinics and hospitals like Royal Phnom Penh Hospital, Raffles Medical, or some large private establishments offer satisfactory quality of care for common medicine, minor surgery, and simple emergencies.
The cost of a ceramic crown can exceed this amount in dollars at the most reputable dental clinics.
When it comes to major surgery, serious heart problems, complex trauma, or high-risk deliveries, many expats prefer to be evacuated to Bangkok, Singapore, or even Vietnam or China. However, a simple medevac transfer to Bangkok or Singapore can cost over $20,000, and cases of bills exceeding $60,000 have been reported. Without insurance, these amounts are prohibitive.
Health Insurance, Not Mandatory but Essential
Cambodia no longer legally requires health insurance to enter its territory, a requirement that was added during the pandemic. This lack of obligation should not be interpreted as an invitation to skip it.
For an expatriation, it is recommended to take out a dedicated international insurance, more protective than simple travel insurance. The ideal is coverage offering:
– inpatient and outpatient care in Cambodia
– emergency medical evacuation to a neighboring country
– medical repatriation to the country of origin
– coverage for medication and, if needed, dental and maternity
Premiums vary depending on age, medical history, and chosen deductible level, but saving a few dozen euros a month by skimping on insurance in a country where a motorbike accident can ruin a family is a poor calculation.
Before moving, it is also prudent to update your vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, flu, chickenpox) and consider additional vaccines like hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, or Japanese encephalitis depending on the planned lifestyle (city or countryside, contact with animals, outdoor activities).
Getting Around Safely: Roads, Transport, and Landmines
The road risk is one of the main threats to expats in Cambodia, well before physical assaults or terrorism. In some areas, there are also persistent dangers from landmines and unexploded ordnance.
To Drive or Not? A Decision Not to Be Taken Lightly
The country has one of the highest road fatality rates in Southeast Asia. Several estimates place the mortality rate between 18 and 20 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, meaning several thousand deaths per year. Traffic is chaotic, right-of-way rules are largely ignored, and many vehicles, especially two-wheelers, drive without lights, without helmets, sometimes the wrong way.
Driving is still possible for an expat, provided you strictly respect the rules and understand the local driving culture. The law requires driving on the right, relatively low speed limits (40 km/h in built-up areas, 90-100 km/h on main roads), wearing seatbelts and helmets. Using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited, as is driving with a blood alcohol level above 0.05 g/l.
Foreigners must possess a local license or an international driving permit accompanied by their national license. For a long-term stay, obtaining a Cambodian license, requiring a theoretical and practical exam, is recommended. The process is done at the offices of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport or in some shopping centers.
Specific Risks: Night, Province, Police Checks
Nighttime accounts for a significant portion of serious accidents, due to lack of lighting, presence of unlit vehicles, animals on the road, and drunk drivers. Many expats choose not to drive after dark outside of very short urban trips.
In the provinces, roads can be potholed, unpaved, regularly flooded during the rainy season. Intercity trips by bus or minivan with reputable companies often remain safer than a personal car or motorbike trip, especially for newcomers.
Checkpoints are frequent and officers may demand cash fines, sometimes opportunistically. To limit risks, be impeccable (helmet, papers, lights) and avoid driving without a valid license. In case of a fine, stay calm and polite; you can offer to pay at the station, although many prefer to settle small amounts on the spot to avoid complications.
Taxis, Tuk-tuks, Apps, and Precautions
In Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Sihanoukville, the combination tuk-tuk + app like Grab or PassApp has become the standard for getting around without driving yourself. The advantage is twofold: known fare upfront, traceability of the trip and driver. Flagged-down tuk-tuks can also be convenient, but you must always negotiate the price before departure, keeping in mind that fares quoted to foreigners are often higher than local prices.
To reduce risks during your trips, adopt these basic practices: sit at the back, in the center of the vehicle; keep your bags and phones on the interior side, away from the street-side door; limit smartphone use during the trip; avoid isolated nighttime trips; and always prioritize vehicles and drivers with good ratings on the app.
Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance: A Still Real Danger
A legacy of past decades of conflict, Cambodia remains one of the most contaminated countries by landmines and unexploded shells. The provinces of Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Siem Reap, Pailin, or Kampong Thom are particularly affected, especially in isolated rural areas, forests, and dry rice fields.
For the majority of urban expats, this threat is abstract. It becomes concrete as soon as you venture off the beaten track: hiking, secondary roads, remote villages. Never leave marked paths, do not walk in dry rice fields, avoid forests without an experienced local guide are non-negotiable rules. If you discover a suspicious object, the procedure is clear: do not touch anything and contact the national demining center (Cambodia Mine Action Center), which has dedicated phone numbers.
Daily Security: Housing, Neighborhoods, Nightlife
A smooth expatriation doesn’t rely only on administrative procedures or crime statistics, but also on a lifestyle adapted to the city and neighborhood where you live.
Choosing Your Neighborhood in Phnom Penh Well
The capital concentrates a large part of the country’s expats. It is far from being just a dangerous city: some neighborhoods are very pleasant to live in, others clearly rougher. Understanding Phnom Penh’s social geography can strongly reduce your exposure to risks.
The BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1) neighborhood is considered the most sought-after by expats. Embassies, NGOs, trendy cafes, international restaurants, modern condos, relatively walkable sidewalks: the environment is relatively safe, clean, and comfortable, but very expensive. It’s a sort of cosmopolitan bubble, sometimes criticized for its lack of authenticity, where rents can easily exceed $700 for a one-bedroom apartment.
The historic Riverside neighborhood, in Daun Penh, is the tourist heart of Phnom Penh, bustling with the Royal Palace, the Mekong promenade, markets, and numerous bars. The atmosphere is vibrant but noisy and chaotic, with a notable presence of hostess bars. Be vigilant against petty crime (pickpockets, pushy touts, scams). Rents there are often attractive, but the quality of housing is variable and noise pollution, especially at night, is significant.
The Toul Tompoung area, around the Russian Market, attracts a more “bohemian” expat community, with a lively network of cafes, intimate bars, small shops, decent housing at moderate prices. Other areas like Toul Kork, Chroy Changvar, or Tonle Bassac have their own advantages: calmer, more family-oriented or greener, but sometimes far from activity centers.
In all these areas, security depends as much on the immediate neighborhood and specific street as on the overall district. Before signing a lease, it is recommended to visit the neighborhood at different times (day, evening, weekend), talk to neighbors or other expats, and research recent feedback in online groups.
Housing: Locks, Guards, and Common Sense
Most incidents affecting expats involve opportunistic thefts: poorly locked apartment door, open ground-floor windows, bag left in plain sight on an accessible balcony, etc. Simple reflexes significantly improve housing security:
Before renting, check the solidity of doors and locks. Ensure windows are protected (bars, locks) if the apartment is on the ground floor or easily accessible. In large buildings, inquire about the presence of a 24/7 guard or reception. Once settled, always use the safe for valuables (passport, cash, jewelry, electronics), even at home.
Many modern buildings have cameras and magnetic access cards. These devices are useful but do not replace individual prudence. In case of theft, filing a police report remains a complicated process: few police speak English, stations may be closed, informal “fees” may be demanded to write a report. For insurance purposes, some consulates recommend reporting the incident anyway, even if assisted by a local interpreter.
Going Out, Alcohol, Drugs: Where Vigilance Makes the Difference
Cambodian cities have a very developed nightlife, with cocktail bars, trendy clubs, rooftops, “girly bars,” and island parties. Alcohol consumption is culturally well-accepted, and prices are often low, which encourages overconsumption.
Classic risks (theft, fights, assaults, arrests for drunkenness) are amplified. Added to these are specific dangers like methanol-tainted alcohol poisoning and spiked drinks, reported especially in tourist areas like Pub Street in Siem Reap or certain bars in Sihanoukville.
A few rules significantly reduce these dangers: watch your drink, go out in groups, avoid leaving a drunk friend alone, prefer returning by app-booked taxi or tuk-tuk rather than on foot, do not accept invitations to “private parties” or card games with strangers met just before.
Regarding drugs, Cambodian law is extremely strict. Possession, use, production, or trafficking are heavily penalized, with possible long imprisonments. Cannabis remains illegal even if some restaurants sell it openly. An expat who gets drawn into these consumptions takes not only a health risk, but a major judicial one.
The Digital Environment: Between Connectivity and Cyber-Risks
Cambodia is very connected: over two-thirds of the population uses the internet, and social networks, particularly Facebook and Telegram, structure a large part of social life, including for expats. This very dynamic digital ecosystem is also the ground for numerous scams.
Telephony, eSIM, and Secure Connection
Three major mobile operators dominate the market: Cellcard, Smart Axiata, and Metfone. All offer prepaid SIM cards with large data volumes for low prices. A plan with 30 GB of data may not exceed $5 to $6 for several weeks. To buy a SIM, you must present your passport, per identity verification rules.
Many expats buy an international eSIM before arrival to be reachable upon landing, although it doesn’t always provide a local number. For a long stay, it is recommended to get a local plan, possibly complemented by a backup international eSIM.
Using public Wi-Fi in cafes or hotels requires using a reliable VPN to encrypt your exchanges, especially for online banking, email, or accessing sensitive data. Solutions like NordVPN, Proton VPN, or Surfshark are common among digital nomads.
Table: Main Mobile Operators and User Profiles
| Operator | Strengths for Expats | Main Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Axiata | Excellent urban coverage, generous data offers | Less performant in some rural areas |
| Cellcard | Good balance city/province, bilingual customer service | Offers sometimes less aggressive on price |
| Metfone | Extended coverage in rural areas, low tariffs | Data experience less consistent in cities |
Online Scams, Phishing, and Protecting Your Accounts
The rise of digital is accompanied by an explosion of online fraud. SMS messages announcing lottery wins, fake bank agents asking to “verify” your credentials, hijacked Facebook or Telegram accounts, malicious links sent in expat groups: the spectrum is wide.
To significantly reduce the effectiveness of online attacks, adopt these essential measures: activate two-factor authentication on all your accounts, use long and unique passwords with a password manager, always check a site’s URL before entering personal information, be wary of any message urgently requesting money, and keep an encrypted copy of your important documents on a secure cloud.
Local apps like CoolApp or Snapkyu, Khmer alternatives to WhatsApp or international social networks, are developing. They sometimes promise end-to-end encryption and local data storage. Lacking public independent audits, it is prudent to only share non-sensitive information and remain aware of the political context: online surveillance is part of the risks for activists or journalists. For an “apolitical” expat, the main threat remains fraud rather than repression.
Families, Education, and Living Environment: Long-Term Security
For expats coming with children, the question of security goes beyond just police-health aspects to include schooling, living environment, exposure to pollution, or health risks.
International Schools: A Key Element for Peace of Mind
The Cambodian public system, still in reconstruction after decades of war and the Khmer Rouge regime, is not suitable for expat families. Education is neither free nor compulsory, and quality remains very variable. This is why a large sector of international schools has developed, especially in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Annual tuition fees at some international schools can exceed $20,000.
An important point for the family’s overall security is the distance between home and school. A short daily commute, made by identified tuk-tuk or school bus, limits exposure to road risks and more dubious areas of the city.
Table: Security Factors to Examine When Choosing a School
| Aspect | Points of Vigilance for Parents |
|---|---|
| Access and Transport | Secure street, reliable school bus, clear parking |
| Infrastructure | Fencing, presence of guards, cameras, entry procedures |
| Health at School | On-site nurse, protocol for illness or accident |
| Child Protection | Background checks for staff, safeguarding training |
| Communication with Parents | Clear information in case of crisis, defined official channels |
Cultural Adaptation and Social Security
Beyond material aspects, the ability of children and adults to adapt to a highly hierarchical society, marked by the notion of “face” and non-confrontation, also contributes to the serenity of expatriation. Understanding that one does not raise their voice in public, that monks and religious institutions are respected, that one does not touch people’s heads, that public displays of affection are avoided, reduces the risk of misunderstandings or tensions.
Same-sex relationships are permitted, but marriage is not. Targeted violence against foreigners is rare. However, society remains conservative, so it is recommended to be discreet in public to avoid staring or inappropriate comments.
Money, Scams, and Corruption: Protecting Yourself Without Blocking Yourself
Corruption and scams are not marginal anecdotes, but a structural reality of life in Cambodia. Integrating them into your way of managing money, choosing service providers, and resolving small conflicts can avoid many disappointments.
Managing Cash, Currencies, and Banks
The country operates on a dual-currency system: Cambodian riel and US dollar coexist, with significant prices often quoted in dollars. The risk of counterfeit bills concerns mainly the dollar; some merchants may also refuse bills that are too worn.
Prefer ATMs in secure locations (banks, shopping malls, hotel lobbies) and check for any suspicious devices. Avoid isolated nighttime withdrawals. Keep several means of payment (cards, cash, local digital wallet). Payment by QR code via local banks can reduce the need to handle cash but requires adapting to the local banking system.
Scams involving currency exchange or money multiply on a small scale: change given in nearly fake bills, confusion maintained between riels and dollars, “intentional” conversion errors. Using small bills and knowing the approximate exchange rate (generally around 4,000 riels to 1 dollar) helps limit these losses.
Petty Corruption and Everyday Arbitration
Many accounts mention requests for “small extras” to file a police report, speed up an administrative file, or resolve a minor dispute. Police are among the lowest-paid civil servants, which fuels this practice.
Faced with bribe requests, expats have different approaches. From a pragmatic point of view, it is often advised to reserve categorical refusals for the most serious situations. For less serious cases, prefer mediation or recourse to your embassy rather than confronting alone a judicial or administrative system you don’t master.
Conclusion: Towards a Lucid and Controlled Expatriation
Security in Cambodia cannot be summed up by alarmist discourse nor reassuring slogans. The country combines powerful organized crime, fragile institutions, a limited healthcare system, and a dangerous road network. Yet, for millions of tourists and tens of thousands of expats, daily life remains possible, sometimes even very pleasant, provided it is approached with lucidity.
For a successful expatriation, it is essential to regularize your legal status, subscribe to health insurance including evacuation, carefully choose your neighborhood and housing, adopt prudent transport habits, maintain rigorous digital hygiene, manage your finances vigilantly, and understand local cultural and political codes.
With these safeguards, Cambodia can offer what many come to find: a certain sense of freedom, a less regimented life, immersion in a Buddhist culture marked by resilience, and a rich ground for those wishing to start a business, teach, travel, or simply live differently. Serenity does not come from the absence of risks, but from the ability to know them, anticipate them, and limit them. It is in this balance that the Cambodian experience plays out for expats.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
