What’s changed in Saudi law for foreign clients
Two recent changes in Saudi law matter to many foreigners. Since 22 January 2026, non-Saudis can apply to own property under a new law. From 28 October 2026, a new Enforcement Law changes how debts are collected. This page lists such changes newest first, each with its status, who it affects and its official source.
Published by RAED ALI ALJOHANI COMPANY FOR Lawyership and Legal Consultations · Last updated
General information about Saudi law — not advice on your situation.
If one of these changes affects your matter, send us a short outline and tell us which change it is.
How does this list of changes in Saudi law work?
Each entry below is one dated change in Saudi law or official practice that matters to foreign clients. The newest date comes first, including dates that have not yet arrived. Each entry gives a status, who it affects, what to do now and the official source.
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| In force | The change applies now. |
| Coming | The change has a start date that has not yet arrived. |
| Regulations pending | The law has been issued, but its implementing regulations (the detailed rules made under it) are still awaited. |
| Background | An older change that still shapes how things work today. |
We change a status only after the official source confirms it. The official sources are linked under each entry.
The entries give dates and a general description only. They do not set out conditions, fees or time limits. For those, open the official source, or ask a lawyer how the change applies to you. Larger changes also have their own pages, listed under “Pages updated”.
For the meaning of a Saudi term, see the glossary. Our editorial policy explains how we write, date and update our pages.
New Enforcement Law takes effect
28 October 2026 · Coming
Who it affects: Creditors, meaning people and companies who are owed money in Saudi Arabia, including foreign companies. It also affects debtors (those who owe the money) and anyone with an open enforcement file. That is a file at the Enforcement Court, the court that makes a person pay what they owe.
The new Enforcement Law applies from 28 October 2026. It changes what creditors can do to get paid through the Enforcement Court. The law puts more weight on finding and reaching the debtor’s assets (what the debtor owns). Promissory notes (signed, written promises to pay) need to be on Nafith, the national electronic platform, to be enforced directly. Older paper notes have a limited transition period, set out in the official text. The law also changes when a travel ban can be used in an enforcement file.
What to do now: If you hold promissory notes or have an open enforcement file, ask a lawyer to review them against the new law.
Official sources: Ministry of Justice legal portal, the Enforcement Law (in Arabic) · Umm Al-Qura, the official gazette (in Arabic)
Pages updated: Saudi Arabia’s new Enforcement Law: what changes for creditors · Promissory notes, cheques and the Nafith platform in Saudi Arabia · Recovering money owed in Saudi Arabia · How travel bans end in Saudi Arabia · Facing a case, an arrest or a travel ban in Saudi Arabia
New law on property ownership by non-Saudis takes effect
22 January 2026 · In force
Who it affects: Non-Saudi people and companies who want to buy or own property in Saudi Arabia, whether they live there or abroad.
The Law of Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis has applied since 22 January 2026. It sets out how non-Saudi people and companies can own property, or hold other rights over property, in Saudi Arabia. The Real Estate General Authority (REGA), the government body that regulates real estate, explains the law on its website. REGA’s official map shows where non-Saudis may own property. Applications go through the Saudi Properties platform, the official online platform for the law.
What to do now: Read REGA’s page and check its map before you look for property or pay any money. Then ask a lawyer how the law applies to you.
Official source: Real Estate General Authority (REGA), Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership in Saudi Arabia (in English) · checked 19 October 2026
Pages updated: Buying and owning property in Saudi Arabia as a foreigner · Who can own what, and where: property rules for non-Saudis in Saudi Arabia · Buying property in Saudi Arabia step by step on the official platform
The Apostille Convention applies to Saudi Arabia
7 December 2022 · Background
Who it affects: Anyone who uses a document from another country in Saudi Arabia, such as a power of attorney or company papers.
The Apostille Convention has applied to Saudi Arabia since 7 December 2022. It is an international treaty that makes official documents easier to use between the countries that have joined it. An apostille is one official certificate, added in the country that issued the document. It confirms that the signature and stamp on the document are real, not that its content is true. Documents from countries that have not joined still need legalisation, a series of official stamps. Some Saudi offices still mention embassy stamps in their own guides.
What to do now: Before you pay for any stamp or certificate, check whether your country uses the apostille or legalisation. Also check what the Saudi office receiving your document accepts.
Official source: HCCH status table for the Apostille Convention (in English) · checked 19 October 2026
Pages updated: Apostille or legalisation? Documents for Saudi Arabia by country · Documents from apostille countries for use in Saudi Arabia · Documents from countries that need legalisation for use in Saudi Arabia · Power of attorney for Saudi Arabia, signed abroad
Frequently asked questions
Is this list of changes in Saudi law complete?
No. It lists changes that matter to many foreign clients, each with an official source. Other changes in Saudi law may still affect your matter, so ask a lawyer about your own situation.
Does a new Saudi law apply to a matter that has already started?
Sometimes. Some new laws include transition rules for matters and documents that already exist, such as older paper promissory notes under the new Enforcement Law. The official text sets out those rules. A lawyer can tell you how they apply to your matter.
Where can I read the official text of a new Saudi law?
New Saudi laws are published in Umm Al-Qura, the government’s official gazette. The Ministry of Justice’s legal portal also holds the texts. Both are in Arabic. Each entry on this page links the official source we used.
Official sources
This page draws on 4 official sources. Each line shows who publishes it, its language and, where recorded, the date we last checked it.
- Ministry of Justice · Ministry of Justice legal portal (in Arabic) · Pending verification
- Umm Al-Qura (Official Gazette) · Umm Al-Qura, the official gazette (in Arabic) · Pending verification
- Real Estate General Authority (REGA) · Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership in Saudi Arabia (in English) · checked
- HCCH · Status table: Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (in English) · checked
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.