Everything specific to European-based buyers: why SEPA doesn't apply to Kenya, how EUR-to-KES SWIFT transfers work, the EU apostille process for Power of Attorney, and what tax questions to ask in your country of residence - before you sign anything.
This guide covers process information only. It is not legal or tax advice. Consult licensed professionals in your EU/EEA country before purchasing.
SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) enables free or low-cost bank transfers within Europe. Kenya is not a SEPA member country. You cannot use a standard SEPA transfer to send money to Kenya - it will either fail or be returned.
What you need instead: A SWIFT international wire transfer from your European bank account to a Kenyan bank account. This is standard for property purchases - your bank handles it - but it requires Kenya's SWIFT/BIC code and the recipient's full account details.
Countries covered in this guide
This guide applies to Kenyans residing in any EU member state or EEA country. Norway and Switzerland are not EU members but follow similar SWIFT and apostille processes.
DTA with Kenya · Bundesbank SWIFT
DNB regulated · Wise popular
SEK → EUR → KES or direct SWIFT
EEA (not EU) · NOK → SWIFT
NBB regulated banks · SWIFT
DKK → SWIFT · Apostille available
EUR → SWIFT · EU apostille
All EU countries: same SWIFT + apostille process applies
Residing in a different European country? The core process (SWIFT transfer + EU apostille POA) is the same. Tax treatment varies - consult a local advisor.
The process from start to finish
You do not need to travel to Kenya. Every step below can be completed from your European country of residence.
Contact Unity Homes directly (or via this page) to receive current pricing, floor plans, availability, and the payment schedule. Do not commit to anything until you have the official documentation in hand.
Appoint a licensed Kenyan advocate (lawyer) to conduct due diligence on your behalf: title search, developer registration check, land records, and sale agreement review. Do not rely solely on Unity Homes' own legal team - your advocate works for you. The Law Society of Kenya (lsk.or.ke) maintains a public directory of registered advocates.
Draft a POA naming your Kenyan advocate (or a trusted family member in Kenya) as your representative. This allows them to sign documents on your behalf. The POA must be notarised by a Notary Public in your EU/EEA country of residence. It must then be apostilled by your country's designated authority (typically the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Justice, or a Prefectoral office depending on your country).
All EU/EEA countries are signatories to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. Kenya is also a signatory. This means an apostille from your EU country is legally valid in Kenya without further legalisation at the Kenyan Embassy - which is the same process the UK uses. Your notarised POA goes to the relevant authority in your country (see country-specific notes below).
Your Kenyan advocate signs the sale agreement on your behalf using the apostilled POA. Alternatively, Unity Homes may provide an electronic signing option - confirm this with their legal team. You should receive a copy of the signed agreement.
Instruct your European bank to send a SWIFT international wire transfer in EUR or USD to Unity Homes' Kenyan bank account. Get the exact account details - beneficiary name, account number, bank name, branch code, and SWIFT/BIC - directly from Unity Homes via their official email or phone. Never transfer based on details received by WhatsApp or from an unknown sender.
After full payment and handover, the title deed is registered in your name at the Kenya National Land Commission. Your advocate retains custody or it is sent to you by registered international courier. Verify the title deed independently at the Lands Registry.
Sending money from Europe
Kenya is outside SEPA. All transfers are international (SWIFT). Compare fees before choosing. For large amounts (property deposits), your bank's wire service may be cheaper than consumer apps.
Power of Attorney - country-specific process
The apostille process differs slightly by country. All EU/EEA countries are Hague Convention members, so the output is the same - a Kenya-valid apostilled document. Verify current procedures with your country's official authority before acting on the information below.
| Country | Apostille authority | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Landesjustizverwaltung (State Justice Ministry) of the relevant federal state | Each of Germany's 16 states has its own authority. The POA is notarised by a German Notar first, then apostilled by the state authority. |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Ministry of Justice and Security (Justis) - Apostille department | Online apostille application available via Justis.nl. POA notarised by Dutch Notaris first. |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Utrikesdepartementet) | POA notarised at a Swedish Notarius Publicus (often a district court official). Apostille via foreign ministry. |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EEA member - not EU) | Norway is Hague Convention signatory. Same process applies despite not being EU. Norwegian notary + foreign ministry apostille. |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | SPF Affaires étrangères (Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs) | POA drafted and notarised by Belgian Notaire first. Then apostille from FPS Foreign Affairs. |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Ministry of Justice - Apostille secretariat | POA notarised before a Danish state-authorised notary. Apostille via Ministry of Justice. |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI) - Apostille office | POA notarised by a Finnish Notary Public (Notaari). Apostille from AVI (Aluehallintovirasto). |
Source: Hague Conference on Private International Law (hcch.net) - Country profiles for apostille competent authorities. Always verify current procedures at hcch.net before submitting documents.
Tax awareness - not tax advice
Tax treatment of foreign property varies significantly by EU country. This section identifies the questions you need to answer - not the answers themselves. Get country-specific advice before purchasing.
| Country | Key tax questions to ask locally | Kenya DTA? |
|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Rental income from Kenya property taxable in Germany? Capital gains on sale? Wealth tax (none currently, but verify). Foreign asset declaration requirements (§ 138 AO). | Yes - Germany-Kenya DTA in force. Verify current treaty terms with a Steuerberater. |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Kenya property declared in Box 3 (wealth tax on assets)? Rental income declaration? CGT on disposal? Partial-year residency rules. | Verify - Netherlands has DTAs with many countries. Confirm Kenya DTA status with a Dutch belastingadviseur. |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Foreign property income taxable in Sweden? ISF (income from capital)? CGT rate on foreign property disposal? Declaration of foreign assets. | Verify - Confirm with Skatteverket or a Swedish tax advisor. |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Foreign property value declared for Norwegian wealth tax (formuesskatt)? Rental income taxable in Norway? Kenya-Norway DTA? | Verify - Confirm with Skatteetaten (Norwegian Tax Administration). |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | Belgian cadastral income imputation on foreign property? Rental income declaration? Real estate withholding tax in Kenya and Belgian credit mechanism? | Verify - Belgium has an extensive DTA network. Confirm Kenya coverage with FOD Financiën. |
| All EU/EEA | Will your EU country tax the purchase funds you're transferring (source of wealth)? Is rental income from Kenya reportable in country of tax residence? What happens on disposal - is the gain taxed where you live? | Varies by country - verify. |
What you're buying
45 SQM · Final row · Sanctuary views
From KSh 6.1M
≈ EUR 42,000 at current mid-market rate*
View Unity One →85-120 SQM · Wildlife sanctuary adjacent
From KSh 10.8M
≈ EUR 74,000 at current mid-market rate*
View Parkside →218 SQM townhouse · Georgian · Phase 1 80% sold
From KSh 36.9M
≈ EUR 253,000 at current mid-market rate*
View Silver Hill →*EUR/KES indicative only. Exchange rates fluctuate - check live rates before transferring. KSh prices are from Unity Homes published materials; verify current pricing directly.
Common questions
Some smaller European banks or digital-only banks (neobanks) have restrictions on transfers to certain countries. If your primary bank declines, try: (1) Wise - they reliably handle EUR-to-KES for property-sized transfers; (2) Your bank's international transfer desk rather than the online portal - staff can often facilitate it; (3) A different European bank you have an account with. Confirm with Unity Homes which receiving bank they use and its SWIFT/BIC code - this helps the sending bank classify the transaction.
No. The entire purchase can be completed remotely from Europe using an apostilled Power of Attorney. You should visit Kenya to see your property at some point - and we recommend it - but it is not legally required at any stage of the transaction. Some buyers travel to Kenya for the handover inspection, but this can also be done by your advocate or a trusted family member.
Most EU countries require residents to declare foreign real estate assets in their annual tax return. Germany requires declaration of foreign assets over certain thresholds under § 138 AO. The Netherlands taxes foreign property under Box 3. Norway includes foreign property in wealth tax calculations. You must declare the property once owned - failure to do so can result in penalties. Consult a tax advisor in your specific country before and after purchase.
Off-plan risk is real. Mitigating factors for Unity Homes specifically: they have completed and delivered rows A and B of Unity One (observed proof of delivery); they are registered with the National Construction Authority (NCA) of Kenya; Tatu City is a government-recognised SEZ with its own accountability. Independently verify: (1) NCA registration at nca.go.ke, (2) title search on the land parcel, (3) escrow arrangement for your deposit if available. See our full verification guide.
Yes. Many diaspora buyers purchase specifically for rental income. You would need to engage a professional property management company in Tatu City / Ruiru area to manage the property on your behalf - handling tenant finding, rent collection, maintenance, and legal compliance under the Kenyan Landlord and Tenant Act. Factor management fees (typically 8-15% of rent) into your yield calculation.
Yes, Kenya allows foreign nationals to own apartment units and houses. Non-citizens cannot hold freehold land directly (leasehold up to 99 years is permitted), but apartment and townhouse ownership within a strata development is available to foreigners. Tatu City's specific title structures should be confirmed with a Kenyan conveyancing advocate before committing.
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