A new law on real estate ownership by non-Saudis took effect on 21 January 2026. It lets foreigners buy in zones designated by the government, under rules overseen by the Real Estate General Authority (REGA).

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KSA at a glanceLast reviewed October 2026

CapitalRiyadh

CurrencySaudi riyal (SAR)

ExchangePegged · USD 1 = SAR 3.75

Main regulatorREGA

Foreign ownershipDesignated zones (law in force since Jan 2026)

Residency routePremium Residency — property from SAR 4M

Who can buy

A new framework for non-Saudi owners

Royal Decree M/14 (July 2025) replaced the 2000 framework and took effect on 21 January 2026. Non-Saudis can buy property in zones designated by the Council of Ministers on REGA's proposal; implementing regulations set out the details.

Resident non-Saudis may own one home outside the designated zones, with approval

Makkah and Madinah remain largely restricted

All non-Saudi ownership is recorded in the National Real Estate Registry

Costs & residency

What buying costs —
and what it can unlock.

Purchase costs

Real Estate Transaction TaxApplies to property sales

5% of the price

Foreign buyer feeDetails set by implementing regulations

Up to 5% for non-Saudis

Agent commissionBrokers need a REGA FAL licence

Agreed with the licensed broker

Residency through property

Premium ResidencyQualifying property worth SAR 4 million or moreRenewable residence for the owner; the title must be free of mortgages or liens

Ejar

Residential leases are documented on the Ejar platform. Off-plan sales are licensed under the Wafi programme.

Who's in charge

The authorities
you'll deal with.

REGAReal Estate General AuthorityRegulates the sector and licenses brokers (FAL)

EjarRental services platformStandard residential and commercial lease contracts

WafiOff-plan sales programmeLicenses and supervises off-plan projects

NRERNational Real Estate RegistryDigital title registration

Where people buy

Key areas in KSA
at a glance.

Capital

Riyadh

The largest market — new master-planned communities across the city

Makkah Province

Jeddah

Red Sea port city and commercial hub

Eastern Province

Dammam & Al Khobar

Business centres of the Eastern Province

Tabuk Province

NEOM

Giga-project in the north-west, largely in development

West coast

Red Sea

Tourism-led destination on the Red Sea coast

Holy cities

Makkah & Madinah

Ownership by non-Saudis remains largely restricted

See KSA property options →

Developers in KSAAll developers →

Dar Al Arkan ROSHN Real Estate NEOM Company Red Sea Global Sumou Real Estate Jabal Omar Dev.Taiba Holding

Agencies in KSAAll agencies →

JLL Saudi Arabia Knight Frank KSA CBRE Saudi Arabia Saudi RE Company Alef Realty Roshn Real Estate

Compare the GCC

Explore the
other five markets.

United Arab EmiratesThe GCC's most open property market→

QatarFreehold zones with residency attached→

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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A new framework for non-Saudi owners

What buying costs —
and what it can unlock.

The authorities
you'll deal with.

Key areas in KSA
at a glance.

Explore the
other five markets.

Get the process right
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Saudi Arabia

A new framework for non-Saudi owners

What buying costs —and what it can unlock.

The authoritiesyou'll deal with.

Key areas in KSAat 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 KSA
at a glance.

Explore the
other five markets.

Get the process right
from the first step.