# Buying and owning property in Saudi Arabia as a foreigner

Yes. Since 22 January 2026, a new law has let non-Saudis apply to own property in Saudi Arabia. What you can buy, and where, depends on whether you live in Saudi Arabia, the type of property and the official zone map. Applications go through the Saudi Properties platform. We check the deal for you before you pay.

Published by RAED ALI ALJOHANI COMPANY FOR Lawyership and Legal Consultations · Last updated 2026-10-19. General information about Saudi law — not advice on your situation.

## At a glance

- **Who this is for:** Foreigners who want to buy or own property in Saudi Arabia, whether they live there or abroad, and companies that need premises or staff housing.
- **Can it be handled from outside Saudi Arabia?:** Partly. Much of it is online, and a lawyer can act for you in some steps under a power of attorney. If you live abroad, the first step is a digital identity issued through a Saudi embassy or consulate.
- **What usually decides the route:** Whether you live in Saudi Arabia, the type of property, where it is on the official zone map, and whether you buy yourself or through a company.
- **What you usually need first:** A short outline: where you live, what you want to buy and, if you have one, the listing link. No documents yet.
- **First step with us:** Send that outline by WhatsApp, phone or email.


## Common situations we help with

We advise foreigners buying and owning property in Saudi Arabia and check the deal before they pay. Start with the question closest to yours.

### Can a non-Saudi own property in Saudi Arabia, and where?

Non-Saudis who live in Saudi Arabia, non-Saudis who live abroad and non-Saudi companies can all apply under the new law. What you can own, and where, depends on where you live, the type of property and the government's official zone map. See [who can own what, and where](https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/who-can-own-property/).

### How does buying property in Saudi Arabia work, step by step?

Applications, payments and title deeds (the records of who owns a property) go through one official online platform, called Saudi Properties. If you live abroad, you first need a digital identity issued through a Saudi embassy or consulate, a Saudi bank account and a Saudi phone number. See [buying property in Saudi Arabia step by step](https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/buying-step-by-step/).

### What should you check before you pay for a Saudi property?

Check the title deed, any mortgage or dispute on the property, the seller's right to sell, and the broker's or developer's licence. Do these checks before any money moves, including a deposit. See [checks before you pay for property in Saudi Arabia](https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/checks-before-you-pay/).

We are also writing pages on these questions:

- [Buying Saudi property without travelling](https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/buying-from-abroad/) — Which steps can be done from your own country, and how a representative can help.
- [Buying off-plan in Saudi Arabia: protections and risks](https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/buying-off-plan/) — Buying before a building is finished, and what to check about the developer.
- [Owning property through a company in Saudi Arabia](https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/owning-through-a-company/) — When a business holds property for its premises or for staff housing.
- [Developer delays and property disputes](https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/developer-and-seller-disputes/) — What to do when a developer or seller does not deliver.
- [Renting in Saudi Arabia: Ejar, renewals and deposits](https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/renting-and-ejar/) — How leases are registered, and what tenants and landlords should know.
- [Selling, inheriting or passing on property you own in Saudi Arabia](https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/selling-and-inheritance/) — What to plan for when you sell a property or pass it on.

## How buying property in Saudi Arabia usually works, step by step

Buying and owning property in Saudi Arabia usually has six stages. Not every buyer needs all of them. The government body in charge is the Real Estate General Authority (REGA), which regulates real estate.

1. **Check whether you can own the property, and where.** What you can own depends on where you live, the type of property and where it is. REGA's official map shows the [designated zones](https://saudilaw.co/glossary/), the areas where non-Saudis may own property. See [who can own what, and where](https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/who-can-own-property/). Where a lawyer helps: confirming how the rules apply to you before you commit.
2. **Prepare what the platform needs.** If you live in Saudi Arabia, you apply with your [iqama](https://saudilaw.co/glossary/iqama/) number, the number on a resident's permit. If you live abroad, you first get a [digital identity](https://saudilaw.co/glossary/) through a Saudi embassy or consulate. You then open a Saudi bank account and get a Saudi phone number in your name. See [buying property step by step](https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/buying-step-by-step/). Where a lawyer helps: explaining what each step asks for.
3. **Check the deal before you pay.** Check the title deed, the seller, any mortgage or dispute, and the broker's or developer's licence. See [checks before you pay](https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/checks-before-you-pay/). Where a lawyer helps: checking these against official records, and reviewing the contract before you sign or pay.
4. **Buy on the official platform.** You apply on the [Saudi Properties platform](https://saudilaw.co/glossary/saudi-properties-platform/), REGA's official platform for ownership by non-Saudis, and pay through the electronic channels it shows. The ownership is then recorded in the [Real Estate Registry](https://saudilaw.co/glossary/), the national register of property. Buying off-plan (before a building is finished) and buying through a company have their own steps. Where a lawyer helps: checking that the application matches the title deed and the contract.
5. **Own and use the property.** Owning brings later questions: renting the property out, a problem with a developer or seller, or how owning fits with your residency. Our pages on these are coming soon.
6. **Sell it or pass it on.** Selling a property, or passing it on to your heirs (the people who inherit from you), has its own steps. It helps to plan for this when you buy.

Contact: WhatsApp or phone +966 54 797 7285 · email office@raedlawyer.com · undefined

## Can you buy property in Saudi Arabia without travelling there?

Partly. The platform is online, and a lawyer can act for you in some steps under a power of attorney signed in your country. If you live abroad, you start with a digital identity issued through a Saudi embassy or consulate.

Next, you open a Saudi bank account and get a Saudi phone number in your name. The bank and the platform set out what they need from you. We tell you early if a step needs you, or someone you appoint, in person.

A [power of attorney](https://saudilaw.co/glossary/power-of-attorney/) is a signed document that lets someone, such as a lawyer, act for you. You sign it in your own country, in front of a notary or another official who is allowed to do this. It then usually needs an apostille (one official certificate) or legalisation (a chain of official stamps), depending on your country. See [power of attorney for Saudi Arabia, signed abroad](https://saudilaw.co/from-abroad/power-of-attorney/) and [whether your country uses an apostille or legalisation](https://saudilaw.co/documents-from-abroad/).

## What are the ways a foreigner can own property in Saudi Arabia?

There are four usual routes. You can buy a finished property in your own name, buy off-plan, buy through a company, or buy from abroad through a representative. Some people rent instead. Which route fits depends on where you live, the property and your plans.

**Common ways a foreigner can own or use property in Saudi Arabia**

| Route | When it usually fits | What to look at first | More detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy a finished property in your own name | You want a home, or a property to rent out. | Where you live, REGA's zone map and the title deed. | [Buying step by step](https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/buying-step-by-step/) and [checks before you pay](https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/checks-before-you-pay/) |
| Buy off-plan from a developer | The building is not finished yet. | The developer's licence under REGA's off-plan sales programme, and the payment stages. | Page coming soon |
| Buy through a company | A business needs premises or staff housing. | The company's registration with the Ministry of Investment (MISA), the ministry that registers foreign investment. | Page coming soon |
| Buy from abroad through a representative | You live outside Saudi Arabia. | Your digital identity, and a power of attorney for any steps someone takes for you. | [Power of attorney signed abroad](https://saudilaw.co/from-abroad/power-of-attorney/) |
| Rent instead of buying | You need a home for a period. | The lease, registered on Ejar, REGA's lease platform. | Page coming soon |

This is a general comparison, not a ranking. The right route depends on your own facts.

## What should you do first if you live in Saudi Arabia, or outside it?

Your first steps depend on whether you live in Saudi Arabia, with an iqama, or live abroad. The checks before you pay are the same for everyone.

### If you live in Saudi Arabia

- Apply on the Saudi Properties platform with your iqama number. The platform checks whether you can own the property you choose.
- Look up the property on REGA's zone map before you sign anything.
- Check the deal before you pay, including any deposit.
- Pay only through the electronic channels the platform shows.

### If you live outside Saudi Arabia

- Start with a digital identity, issued through a Saudi embassy or consulate.
- Then open a Saudi bank account and get a Saudi phone number in your name.
- If someone will act for you, sign a power of attorney in your own country.
- Check the deal before you pay. Be careful with any request to pay a deposit outside the official channels.

## What should you prepare before contacting a Saudi lawyer about property?

A short outline is enough for a first message. Have these facts ready:

- Where you live: in Saudi Arabia with an iqama, or abroad.
- The listing link, or a short description of the property.
- Whether you will buy yourself or through a company.
- How you plan to pay: your own money or a bank loan.
- The broker's or developer's name, if there is one.
- Anything already signed or paid, such as a reservation form or a deposit receipt.

Keep them ready — don't send them yet. We tell you which ones to send after we agree to act.

## What's changed recently

- **22 January 2026.** The law on property ownership by non-Saudis started to apply. Since then, non-Saudis can apply to own property through the Saudi Properties platform.
- **23 June 2026.** The Council of Ministers, the Saudi cabinet, approved the law's implementing regulations (its detailed rules) and the designated zones.

Our [what's changed page](https://saudilaw.co/whats-changed/) keeps a dated list of changes like these.

## How we help with property in Saudi Arabia

We act for foreign buyers and owners of property in Saudi Arabia. For buyers who live outside Saudi Arabia, we consider each matter separately after you speak with a lawyer. If we agree to act, we explain each step in plain words and check the deal before you pay.

It starts with a short outline from you. We tell you whether we can help, what we need and how fees are agreed. Work starts only after an engagement letter, the written agreement between you and the firm, is signed.

We then check the deal before you pay: the title deed, any mortgage or dispute, the seller's right to sell, the licences and the contract. If the contract is in Arabic, we explain it in English. Where a matter needs it, we act for you under a power of attorney.

Legal fees are arranged directly with the firm, never on this site. Raed AlJuhani, the firm's Founding Managing Partner, is a licensed Saudi lawyer.

- [How we work with clients outside Saudi Arabia](https://saudilaw.co/how-we-work/)
- [Finding and checking a lawyer in Saudi Arabia](https://saudilaw.co/find-a-lawyer-in-saudi-arabia/)
- [Company details](https://saudilaw.co/about/verify-us/)


## Frequently asked questions

### Can foreigners buy property in Saudi Arabia?

Yes. Since 22 January 2026, the law on property ownership by non-Saudis has applied, both to people who live in Saudi Arabia and to people who live abroad. According to the Real Estate General Authority (REGA), applications go through the Saudi Properties platform. The steps differ by group, and ownership follows the official geographical zones. See [who can own what, and where](/property-for-foreigners/who-can-own-property/).

### Can a US, UK or Indian citizen buy property in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, they can apply, because the law is written for non-Saudis in general. According to REGA, it covers non-Saudis who live in Saudi Arabia and individuals and companies from outside it, under specific controls and within set geographical zones. So what decides your case is your group and where the property is. Before you commit, have a licensed lawyer review how the rules apply to you.

### Can I buy property in Saudi Arabia online from abroad?

Largely, yes. Under the law's implementing regulation, you apply through REGA's online portal, and every payment for the purchase is made electronically. If you live abroad, you first need a digital identity, a Saudi bank account in your name and a Saudi phone number in your name, linked to that identity. A lawyer can explain each step. See [buying property in Saudi Arabia step by step](/property-for-foreigners/buying-step-by-step/).

### What taxes and fees does a foreigner pay to buy property in Saudi Arabia?

It depends on the deal. Some costs are set by others, such as government fees, and they change, so we don't list them on this site. Check the current figures on the official pages before you sign. Our own fees are agreed in writing before any work starts, and you pay them directly to the firm, never on this website. See [how legal fees work in Saudi Arabia](/find-a-lawyer-in-saudi-arabia/how-legal-fees-work/).

### Do I need a lawyer to buy property in Saudi Arabia, or is a broker enough?

A broker and a lawyer do different jobs. We act for foreign buyers and owners, not for the seller. Before you pay, we check the title deed, any mortgage or dispute, the seller's right to sell, the broker's or developer's licence and the contract. If the contract is in Arabic, we explain it in English. See [what to check before you pay](/property-for-foreigners/checks-before-you-pay/).

### Is buying property in Saudi Arabia safe for a foreigner?

No purchase is free of risk, but you can check key facts before you pay. Check the title deed, any mortgage or dispute, the seller's right to sell, and the broker's or developer's licence. Do these checks before any money moves, including a deposit, and pay only through the electronic channels the platform shows. See [checks before you pay](/property-for-foreigners/checks-before-you-pay/).

### What happens to my Saudi property if I leave Saudi Arabia?

Talk to a lawyer before you go. According to REGA, the rules for non-Saudis cover people with legal residency in Saudi Arabia and people from outside it, under specific controls. So leaving can change how those rules apply to you. A licensed lawyer should review your property and your plans before you leave.

## Official sources

- Real Estate General Authority (REGA): [Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership in Saudi Arabia](https://rega.gov.sa/en/rega-services/platforms/non-saudi-real-estate-ownership-in-saudi-arabia/) (checked 2026-10-19)
- Real Estate General Authority (REGA): [Saudi Properties portal](https://saudiproperties.rega.gov.sa/) (checked 2026-10-19)
- Real Estate General Authority (REGA): [Guide to Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis (PDF)](https://rega.gov.sa/media/knwm1qvp/guide-to-real-estate-ownership-by-non-saudis-en.pdf) (checked 2026-10-19)
- Real Estate General Authority (REGA): [REGA: Non-Saudi Property Ownership System Enters into Force as of Today](https://rega.gov.sa/en/media-center/news-announcements/rega-non-saudi-property-ownership-system-enters-into-force-as-of-today/) (checked 2026-10-19)
- Real Estate General Authority (REGA): [Implementing Regulation of the Law of Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis](https://rega.gov.sa/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B0%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AA%D9%85%D9%84%D9%83-%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B1/) (checked 2026-10-19)
- Saudi Press Agency (SPA): [Cabinet session of 23 June 2026: approval of the implementing regulations and the designated zones](https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2619192) (checked 2026-10-19)
- Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA): [Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority](https://zatca.gov.sa/en/) (checked 2026-10-19)

General information about Saudi law, not advice on your situation. Contacting us does not create a lawyer–client relationship until an engagement letter is signed.

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Saudi Law is operated by RAED ALI ALJOHANI COMPANY FOR Lawyership and Legal Consultations, licensed in Saudi Arabia. https://saudilaw.co/property-for-foreigners/