Buying property in Saudi Arabia as a foreigner

Ownership is tied to about 170 designated zones across Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and other cities. For each zone the Geographic Zones Document sets the permitted ownership percentage, the type of right that can be acquired (freehold or usufruct), the maximum usufruct term and other controls. Open, city-wide ownership is not allowed in Riyadh or Jeddah.^{[3, 4]}

• Riyadh zones include Qiddiya, New Murabba, Sports Boulevard and the Arts District, Diriyah Gate, King Salman Park, Sedra, KAFD, King Salman International Airport and transit-oriented development areas.^[4]
• Jeddah has the most zones of any city: 55 numbered development zones across the governorate.^[3]
• Makkah and Madinah zones lie in approved areas; individual ownership there is for Muslims only.^{[9, 10]}

1. 01

   Confirm eligibility and the zone

   Match the buyer type to the table above and check the exact property on the official zones map. Residents buying their one residential property outside the zones skip the zone check (except Makkah and Madinah).^{[9, 11]}

2. 02

   Get your identity and banking ready

   Residents use their residency ID. Non-residents first obtain a Saudi digital identity through a Saudi mission abroad, then open a Saudi bank account and get a Saudi mobile number. Foreign companies obtain a Unified Number (700) from the Ministry of Investment.^{[3, 5]}

3. 03

   Work through a licensed broker

   Use a broker holding a REGA FAL licence and a written brokerage contract registered on REGA's portal. Verify the seller's title deed before paying anything.^{[12, 13]}

4. 04

   Apply on the Saudi Properties portal

   Submit the ownership application on the portal. For residents, eligibility is verified automatically. All applications within the law's scope must go through this portal.^{[3, 5]}

5. 05

   Pay the tax and fees electronically

   The 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax applies to all buyers. In Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah an additional 2% REGA fee applies when a non-Saudi acquires the right. Payments linked to the ownership are made through the electronic payment platform.^{[3, 7, 14]}

6. 06

   Receive the title deed

   Ownership procedures and title issuance are completed through the electronic platform.^[3]

The law does not address mortgages. In practice, resident expats with a salary transfer can obtain home finance from several Saudi banks, usually with a larger down payment than Saudis; lending to non-residents is untested and they should plan to buy with cash.^[16]

Owning property does not by itself grant residency. The separate Premium Residency route for property owners requires completed residential property worth at least SAR 4 million, free of any mortgage and valued by a Taqeem-accredited valuer; the residency lapses if the property is sold without replacement.^[17]