As of January 22, 2026, Saudi Arabia has enacted a new Foreign Property Ownership Law — a landmark reform unprecedented in the country’s history.

Previously, foreign nationals could own real estate only in a limited manner, such as through locally registered companies, under stringent requirements, or solely if they held a specific resident status. The new law removes a substantial portion of these restrictions.

📌 2. Who Is Now Eligible to Purchase Real Estate

Foreign nationals who do not hold Saudi citizenship may acquire residential, commercial, industrial, and land properties within designated zones. These zones are to be officially published in Q1 2026.

Holding Saudi residency is not mandatory. Non-residents may obtain a digital identification via Saudi diplomatic missions, enabling registration on the government portal and participation in property transactions.

🏢 Foreign Companies

Foreign companies without a physical office in Saudi Arabia must register with the Ministry of Investment (via the Invest Saudi platform) and obtain a corporate registration number prior to purchasing real estate.

📍 Location-Based Restrictions

In the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, direct ownership of real estate by non-Muslims remains restricted or is permitted only through specific legal structures (e.g., corporate ownership).

📌 3. New Digitalized Purchase Procedure

All applications submitted by foreign buyers are now processed exclusively through the “Saudi Properties” digital platform — a unified government portal for property ownership registration.
The system automates eligibility verification and significantly reduces bureaucratic procedures.

📈 Strategic Context

This reform is part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s national strategy aimed at economic diversification, reducing dependence on oil revenues, and positioning the Kingdom as a regional hub for investment and long-term residence.

💼 Residency Implications

Property ownership may serve as a basis for obtaining Premium Residency if the property value exceeds a specified threshold (e.g., above SAR 4 million). This is subject to a separate application process and eligibility criteria.

📌 Current Status

The final list of zones where foreign ownership is permitted has not yet been released and is expected to be approved in the coming months. At present, only framework regulations have been published.
The law also предусматривает additional transfer fees, which may reach approximately 5% of the transaction value.