Non-GCC nationals can buy freehold in designated zones, and every sale is registered with the Survey & Land Registration Bureau. Property ownership above a set value qualifies for Bahrain's 10-year Golden Residence Visa.

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Bahrain at a glanceLast reviewed October 2026

CapitalManama

CurrencyBahraini dinar (BHD)

ExchangePegged · USD 1 = BHD 0.376

Main regulatorsRERA Bahrain · SLRB

Foreign ownershipFreehold in designated zones

Residency routeGolden Residence from BHD 130,000

Who can buy

Freehold zones for non-GCC buyers

Outside designated zones, purchases by non-GCC nationals are generally not permitted. Inside them, foreigners can own freehold — and all transactions must be registered with the SLRB to be legally recognised.

Zones include Amwaj Islands, Marsa Al Seef, Durrat Al Bahrain, Riffa Views and Diyar Al Muharraq

Bilaj Al Jazayer was added in April 2025

Off-plan projects are registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority

Costs & residency

What buying costs —
and what it can unlock.

Purchase costs

Registration fee1.7% if filed within 60 days of notarisation

2% of the property value

Agent commissionBrokers are licensed by RERA Bahrain

Agreed with the licensed broker

Residency through property

Golden Residence VisaProperty worth BHD 130,000 or more (reduced from BHD 200,000 in late 2025)10-year renewable residence permit

Lease contracts

Written lease contracts between landlord and tenant. Rent disputes go to the Rental Disputes Settlement Committee.

Who's in charge

The authorities
you'll deal with.

RERAReal Estate Regulatory AuthorityLicenses brokers and registers off-plan projects

SLRBSurvey & Land Registration BureauRegisters every property sale

Where people buy

Key areas in Bahrain
at a glance.

MuharraqForeign ownership

Amwaj Islands

Man-made islands with lagoons, villas and apartments

ManamaForeign ownership

Marsa Al Seef

Waterfront district on the capital's northern coast

ManamaForeign ownership

Bahrain Bay

Waterfront business and residential district

Southern GovernorateForeign ownership

Durrat Al Bahrain

Resort islands in the south

RiffaForeign ownership

Riffa Views

Gated villa community around a golf course

MuharraqForeign ownership

Diyar Al Muharraq

Large reclaimed-island city

See Bahrain property options →

Developers in BahrainAll developers →

Amwaj Properties Bahrain Bay Dev.Gulf Holdings Dilmunia Developer Seef Properties

Agencies in BahrainAll agencies →

Al Meezan RE Cluttons Bahrain Gulf Sotheby's IR First Avenue RE Bayan Properties Century 21 Bahrain

Compare the GCC

Explore the
other five markets.

United Arab EmiratesThe GCC's most open property market→

Saudi ArabiaThe GCC's largest market, newly opening to foreign buyers→

QatarFreehold zones with residency attached→

KuwaitA tightly held market, opening step by step→

OmanFrom tourism complexes to nationwide ownership→

Side-by-side GCC comparison →

Sources

Last reviewed October 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the official authority before you buy. This page is general information, not legal advice.

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Freehold zones for non-GCC buyers

What buying costs —
and what it can unlock.

The authorities
you'll deal with.

Key areas in Bahrain
at a glance.

Explore the
other five markets.

Get the process right
from the first step.

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Bahrain

Freehold zones for non-GCC buyers

What buying costs —and what it can unlock.

The authoritiesyou'll deal with.

Key areas in Bahrainat a glance.

Explore theother five markets.

Get the process rightfrom the first step.

What buying costs —
and what it can unlock.

The authorities
you'll deal with.

Key areas in Bahrain
at a glance.

Explore the
other five markets.

Get the process right
from the first step.