{"id":12172,"date":"2025-07-28T11:25:34","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T08:25:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sa.aqar.fm\/blog\/?p=12172"},"modified":"2025-08-06T11:01:38","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T08:01:38","slug":"2025-guide-to-property-ownership-in-saudi-arabia-for-non-saudis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sa.aqar.fm\/blog\/en\/real-estate-news\/2025-guide-to-property-ownership-in-saudi-arabia-for-non-saudis\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Guide to Property Ownership in Saudi Arabia for Non-Saudis"},"content":{"rendered":"

\ud83c\udfe1 Foreign Property Ownership in Saudi Arabia: 7 Major Changes That Reshape the Market in 2025<\/h2>\n

If you’re a non-Saudi resident or investor, this is news you need to know:
\nIn July 2025<\/strong>, the Saudi Council of Ministers<\/strong> approved a new law regulating foreign ownership of real estate<\/strong>, set to take effect in January 2026<\/strong>.
\nThe law includes 15 articles, with its executive regulations to be issued within 180 days<\/strong> of publication in the official gazette (Umm Al-Qura<\/em>).
\nIts aim? To organize ownership by non-Saudis, encourage foreign investment, and align with the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll break down the 7 key changes<\/strong> in the updated law, and explain who can now own property, where, and under what conditions.<\/p>\n\n

\n

\ud83d\udccc What Is the New Foreign Ownership Law?<\/h2>\n

The new system defines the legal framework for how non-Saudis<\/strong>\u2014whether individuals, companies, or non-profit entities\u2014can own various types of property across the Kingdom.
\nIt replaces the older regulation issued in 2000 and brings more clarity, flexibility, and transparency, especially in high-demand cities and strategic zones.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83d\udd04 Key Differences Between the Old and New Regulations<\/h2>\n

\u2705 Who Can Own Property?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Old Law<\/strong><\/th>\nNew Law<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
– Non-Saudi individuals and investors residing in the Kingdom. – Official foreign diplomatic missions.<\/td>\n– Non-Saudi individuals (residents and non-residents). – Foreign companies. – Non-profit foreign entities. – Diplomatic missions. – Saudi companies with foreign shareholders.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\ud83d\udca1 Curious how the old law used to work? Check out this detailed article:
\nForeign Real Estate Ownership in Saudi Arabia: Key Conditions<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

\ud83c\udfd8\ufe0f Property Types Allowed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Old Law<\/strong><\/th>\nNew Law<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
– Properties necessary for business operation or employee housing. – One residential unit for personal use by residents.<\/td>\n– Ownership allowed for all types of real estate<\/strong>: residential, commercial, industrial, and land plots.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n

\ud83c\udf0d Geographic Restrictions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Old Law<\/strong><\/th>\nNew Law<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
– Ownership allowed in all regions except<\/strong> Makkah and Madinah.<\/td>\n– Ownership permitted in areas designated<\/strong> by an official Geographic Zones Document issued by the Real Estate Authority.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n

\ud83d\udd4b Makkah and Madinah Access<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Old Law<\/strong><\/th>\nNew Law<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
– Ownership prohibited; usufruct rights allowed only.<\/td>\n– Muslim foreigners<\/strong> and Saudi companies with foreign partners can own property in specific zones defined by the authority.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The new law also allows GCC citizens to own property in Makkah<\/strong>, under certain conditions and geographic limitations.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

\ud83d\uddc2\ufe0f Ownership Matrix by Category and Region<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Category<\/th>\nMakkah & Madinah<\/th>\nOther Regions<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Residents<\/strong><\/td>\nAllowed<\/td>\nAllowed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Non-Residents<\/strong><\/td>\nAllowed (Muslims only)<\/td>\nAllowed for specific areas<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Premium Residency Holders<\/strong><\/td>\nAllowed<\/td>\nAllowed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saudi Companies with Foreign Stakeholders<\/strong><\/td>\nPermitted under CMA guidelines<\/td>\nAllowed for employee housing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Foreign Licensed Companies<\/strong><\/td>\nNot Allowed<\/td>\nAllowed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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\ud83c\udf06 Where Are the Top Real Estate Opportunities?<\/h2>\n

With the new law in place, demand is rising in major cities across the Kingdom. Using the Aqar App<\/strong>, you can explore thousands of properties in just a few taps.<\/p>\n

Start browsing by city:<\/p>\n