Saudi Arabia

The market is going through an institutional opening to foreign capital. This creates new opportunities, but it also means that the rules and permitted zones need to be followed especially closely.

Yes. The new law allows non-Saudis to hold ownership or other real rights in geographical zones and on terms set by the state.

Yes. The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) explicitly states that the system covers non-residents. A separate digital procedure for identification and application is provided for them.

No. Approved geographical scopes matter for foreign ownership. Separate rules apply to Makkah and Madinah: non-Saudi individuals may own property there only if they are Muslim.

The interest is driven by the scale of economic transformation, new construction, infrastructure projects and wider access for foreigners. But the decision should be made on a specific property and demand in a specific zone.

Entry price, comparable transactions, rent, liquidity, infrastructure, future supply, construction timeline, payment plan, resale options and whether the property is legally available to a foreign buyer.

Yes, there are off-plan projects on the market, but before the deal you need to check permits, the developer, the contract and whether foreign ownership rules apply to the specific property.

Besides the usual taxes and fees, the law provides for a special fee on dispositions of non-Saudis' property rights, which may not exceed 5% of the disposition value; the exact amount depends on the implementing regulations, the type of right, purpose and location.

Under the law, a non-Saudi's acquisition becomes valid once the right is registered in the Real Estate Registry in accordance with the applicable rules.

The buyer's status, the permitted geography, the type of right, project registration, the contract, resale restrictions, fees and the registration procedure. In Saudi Arabia, legal due diligence must come before any promise to the client.