Non-Saudi real estate ownership: implementing regulations and zones approved

The law allowing non-Saudis to own real estate in the Kingdom came into force on 22 January 2026, replacing individual approvals with general rules. On 23 June 2026 the Council of Ministers approved its implementing regulations and the designated geographic zones, which the Real Estate General Authority (REGA) publishes on an online map.

Eligible owners include non-Saudi individuals, resident or not, foreign companies and foreign non-profit entities. In Makkah and Madinah, ownership is limited to Muslim individuals and Saudi companies. Saudi companies with foreign shareholders may own property outside the zones for their business or staff housing, except in Makkah and Madinah, with the Ministry of Investment's prior approval; inside the zones, no such approval is needed.

Applications, payment and title deeds run through REGA's Saudi Properties platform. Foreign companies with no presence in the Kingdom must first register through Invest Saudi and obtain a unified number. REGA's disposal fee is currently 2% for property in Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, with a 0% rate for certain transactions, such as transfers by individuals to companies or funds they wholly own.

Ongoing duties matter as much as the purchase. Foreign companies must notify changes in ownership of 5% or more within 15 days, and false or misleading information can attract fines of up to 5% of the property's value. Investors should check the zone map for each asset, settle the holding structure before signing and diarise the notification duties.