Saudi Arabia Will Allow Foreigners to Buy Property Starting January 2026
Foreign ownership will be permitted in major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, while Mecca and Medina will remain subject to tighter regulatory controls due to their religious importance. The Real Estate General Authority will issue final rules by mid-2025 to define eligibility, application steps, and designated zones.
Until now, the only legal path for foreign ownership has been through the Premium Residency program, which requires a minimum investment of SAR 4 million (around US$1 million). The new law is expected to remove that barrier, allowing non-residents to buy property outright, even without a local sponsor.
What This Means for Foreign Investors
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Direct property ownership will be open to non-residents for the first time
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Premium Residency is no longer the only option for foreign buyers
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New residency options tied to real estate may emerge at lower investment levels
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More affordable properties will become accessible, not just luxury units
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Saudi Arabia is following a similar strategy to the UAE, aiming to attract diverse global investors
Industry experts say this could transform the Kingdom’s real estate landscape by making it easier for global investors to enter the market, without navigating complex or expensive systems.
