In a move that enhances the investment appeal of the Saudi market and aligns with its rapid economic development, the Real Estate General Authority (REGA) has issued clear and detailed regulations for non-Saudi real estate ownership in the Kingdom. These regulations outline ownership mechanisms based on the beneficiary's legal status and the designated geographical scope.

First: Ownership Options for Individuals

The new regulations provide flexible investment and residential opportunities for individuals based on their residency status:

  • Premium Residency Holders: Enjoy the broadest privileges. They are entitled to own property within the permitted geographical scope across all cities. Outside this scope, they are permitted to own property (residential, commercial, and industrial) for investment or residential purposes, with the exception of Makkah and Madinah, where they are limited to "usufruct rights" (right of use) only.

  • Residents (Standard Residency): Permitted to own property within the permitted geographical scope across all cities. Outside this scope, they are entitled to own exactly one property for personal residence (excluding Makkah and Madinah).

  • Non-Residents: Their right to own property is restricted exclusively to the permitted geographical scope.

  • GCC Citizens: Entitled to own property for residential and investment purposes across all cities. (Note: Being a Muslim is a prerequisite for property ownership or usufruct in Makkah and Madinah across all the aforementioned categories).

Second: Ownership by Non-Saudi Companies

To pave the way for institutional investments, foreign companies are now permitted to own real estate exclusively within the designated geographical scope across all cities in the Kingdom (excluding Makkah and Madinah). To ensure proper governance, the Authority mandates the following conditions for corporate ownership: official registration with the Ministry of Investment (MISA), opening a local bank account, and ensuring the company's legal representative holds a valid legal Saudi ID.

General Conditions & Key Zones

Several general conditions apply to all buyers, most notably: possessing a valid ID, in-kind registration of the property in the Real Estate Registry, and full disclosure of ownership data. The prominent permitted geographical zones feature mega national projects such as: Qiddiya, New Murabba, Diriyah Gate, and KAFD in Riyadh; the Jeddah Central Project; and monumental developments like Jabal Omar, Masar, and Rua Al Madinah in Makkah and Madinah.

Our Vision at SBBS

Commenting on these updates, we at the Solutions Bureau for Business Services (SBBS) view these regulations as a strategic gateway for global investors and foreign companies looking to expand into the thriving Saudi market. As your dedicated business success partner, we emphasize that these real estate facilitations integrate perfectly with companies' market-entry strategies.

We continue our role in streamlining the investor's journey—starting from fulfilling incorporation requirements and Ministry of Investment licensing, all the way to building a robust institutional and operational infrastructure. This ensures you maximize the benefits of these regulatory advantages to achieve sustainable, long-term growth.