Can Foreigners Buy Property in Saudi Arabia Now?

For decades, owning a home in Saudi Arabia was mostly out of reach for foreigners. That chapter has now closed. The new Law of Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis came into force on January 22, 2026, and for the first time expats and foreign companies can own property in the Kingdom under a clear, structured framework.

Here is the headline. Foreign individuals and companies can now own property fully in their own name within specific geographic zones approved by the Council of Ministers, and these zones are expected to cover high-demand areas in cities like Riyadh and Jeddah. On top of that, if you are a legal resident, the law lets you own one residential property for personal use outside of those designated zones. That single provision is a real game changer for long-term expat families.

A few important boundaries remain. Makkah and Madinah stay tightly controlled, with ownership limited mainly to Muslim individuals under strict conditions. Every purchase must be processed through the official Saudi Properties digital portal and recorded in the national Real Estate Registry, so the era of informal handshake deals is truly over. Budget carefully too, because the new transfer fee sits on top of the standard transaction tax, meaning foreign buyers should plan for roughly ten percent in total taxes and fees.

None of this should put you off. It simply means preparation matters more than ever: know your zone, confirm the title, register properly, and understand the full cost before you sign anything.

If you want to go deeper on the numbers, our partners at Sands of Wealth have built a detailed Saudi Arabia real estate pack covering prices, rental yields, the buying process, mortgages, and city-by-city breakdowns for Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. It is a handy shortcut if you would rather not piece all the data together yourself.

As always, treat this as a friendly starting point rather than formal legal advice. Once you find a property you love, a quick review with a qualified Saudi lawyer will make sure your purchase is solid, compliant, and truly yours.

If you ever need legal advice in Saudi Arabia, do not hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to support you and help guide you in the right direction!

This post is published in partnership with Sands of Wealth.