Non-Qataris can own freehold property in designated areas and hold 99-year usufruct rights in others. Buying above set values comes with residency — and permanent residency at the top end.

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Qatar at a glanceLast reviewed October 2026

CapitalDoha

CurrencyQatari riyal (QAR)

ExchangePegged · USD 1 = QAR 3.64

Main regulatorAqarat (since 2025)

Foreign ownership10 freehold areas + usufruct areas

Residency routeFrom QAR 730,000

Who can buy

Freehold and usufruct areas

Law No. 16 of 2018 and Cabinet Decision No. 28 of 2020 set out where non-Qataris may own property. In freehold areas you own outright; in usufruct areas you hold rights for up to 99 years.

Freehold areas include The Pearl-Qatar, Lusail City, West Bay Lagoon and Al Dafna

Real estate oversight moved to Aqarat, the General Authority for the Regulation of the Real Estate Sector, in 2025

Title deeds are issued after registration of the sale

Costs & residency

What buying costs —
and what it can unlock.

Purchase costs

Transfer fee (freehold)Real Estate Registration Department

0.25% of the property value

Agent commissionBrokers are licensed and regulated

Agreed with the licensed broker

Residency through property

Property residencyProperty worth QAR 730,000 (about USD 200,000) or moreResidence permit for the owner and family

Permanent residencyProperty worth QAR 3.65 million (about USD 1M) or morePermanent residency benefits

Lease registration

Residential leases are registered with the authorities. Rent disputes go to the Rental Disputes Settlement Committee.

Who's in charge

The authorities
you'll deal with.

AqaratGeneral Authority for the Regulation of the Real Estate SectorRegulates the sector since 2025

RERDReal Estate Registration DepartmentRegisters sales and issues title deeds

Where people buy

Key areas in Qatar
at a glance.

DohaForeign ownership

The Pearl-Qatar

Man-made island of apartments, townhouses and marinas

LusailForeign ownership

Lusail City

Planned city north of Doha with waterfront districts

DohaForeign ownership

West Bay Lagoon

Villa district along a lagoon

DohaForeign ownership

Al Dafna (West Bay)

Business district of high-rise towers

DohaForeign ownership

Al Qassar

Residential towers near West Bay

Al KhorForeign ownership

Al Khor Resort

Resort area north of Doha

Al DaayenForeign ownership

Simaisma

Coastal resort and beach project

See Qatar property options →

Developers in QatarAll developers →

Lusail Real Estate United Development Barwa Real Estate Ezdan Holding Al Akaria Qatar

Agencies in QatarAll agencies →

Cushman & Wakefield Knight Frank Qatar DTLiving Qatar Qatar Real Estate ONE Properties Qatar HAP Real Estate

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→

KuwaitA tightly held market, opening step by step→

BahrainIsland freehold with a 10-year visa→

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 and usufruct areas

What buying costs —
and what it can unlock.

The authorities
you'll deal with.

Key areas in Qatar
at a glance.

Explore the
other five markets.

Get the process right
from the first step.

Dubai Land Department

Qatar

Freehold and usufruct areas

What buying costs —and what it can unlock.

The authoritiesyou'll deal with.

Key areas in Qatarat 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 Qatar
at a glance.

Explore the
other five markets.

Get the process right
from the first step.