Buying in Saudi Arabia
The questions buyers ask most, answered from the official Saudi Properties portal. Checked on 22 October 2026.
Can a non-Saudi buy property in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. The Law of Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis has been in force since 22 January 2026. The Real Estate General Authority lists these categories as able to own:
- Non-Saudi individuals, living in the Kingdom or abroad.
- Foreign companies, with or without a presence in the Kingdom.
- Saudi companies, funds and special purpose entities with non-Saudi capital.
- International non-profit organisations allowed to operate in the Kingdom.
- Diplomatic representations and international bodies, on reciprocity and with Ministry of Foreign Affairs approval.
When did the new ownership law start?
On 22 January 2026. Royal Decree M/14 of 14 July 2025 approved the law, and the Real Estate General Authority announced its entry into force on that day. Applications go through the Saudi Properties portal: a resident applies with the Iqama number, a non-resident starts at a Saudi embassy or consulate to get a digital identity and then completes the steps online.
Do I have to live in Saudi Arabia to buy?
No. A non-resident can own. You first get a Saudi Digital Identity: one visit to a Saudi embassy or consulate, then the rest is online.
What is the Saudi Digital Identity?
It is the identity a non-resident uses to log in to Nafath and the government platforms, register on the Saudi Properties portal and complete a purchase. You apply through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, register your biometrics at the embassy, then activate it with a Saudi eSIM, Nafath and Absher.
Where in the Kingdom can non-Saudis own?
In Riyadh and Jeddah within specific areas, and in other regions of the Kingdom, as set out in the Geographic Scope Document that the Real Estate General Authority publishes once the Council of Ministers approves it. The document carries maps of the locations, the share non-Saudis may own there, the rights granted and their durations. Saddlepoint checks the exact unit against the published areas before you reserve.
Can I buy in Makkah or Madinah?
Only as a Muslim individual, or through a Saudi company with non-Saudi shareholders, and only inside the areas the law designates in the two cities. That is the Real Estate General Authority's own wording. Many projects there are sold as leasehold, which gives you the right to use the home for a fixed number of years.
Madinah projectsMakkah projectsREGA questions and answers (PDF)
What is the difference between freehold and leasehold?
Freehold means you own the property with no end date. Leasehold means you hold the right to use it (a usufruct right) for a fixed period. On Saddlepoint every Madinah and Makkah listing shows which one it is.
What taxes do I pay when I buy?
A Real Estate Transaction Tax of 5% applies to real estate transactions. Its reference number is needed before ownership can be transferred. The ownership law also allows a separate fee on real estate disposals by non-Saudis of up to 5% of the value; the regulations set the actual rate. Registration fees on the government platforms are charged separately and are not refundable. Ask Saddlepoint for the current figures before you budget.
Do I need a Saudi bank account?
Yes, in practice. The portal's steps include opening a personal Saudi bank account, which can be done from outside the Kingdom. During a transfer your IBAN is also used so the amount you paid comes back to you if the transfer is not completed.
Can a foreign company buy property?
Yes. A non-Saudi company with no presence in the Kingdom registers on Invest Saudi and receives a unified number starting with 7. Its representative then needs an ID issued in the Kingdom or a Digital Identity to register the company on the portal.
How do I check an off plan project before paying?
Ask for the project's Wafi licence number. Wafi is the Real Estate General Authority's programme for selling off plan: a licensed project has its own escrow account for buyers' payments, and the works are supervised. The portal's property eligibility inquiry asks for the licence number, so check it before you pay. Saddlepoint shows the number on a project page as soon as the developer supplies it.
How is the title deed issued?
Online. You upload the documents, pay the fees and document the contract, and the title deed is issued through official government channels.
Do I need a broker?
The Saudi Properties portal sends buyers to licensed brokers for property offers. Saddlepoint shows each project's documents, prices and availability and walks you through the purchase.
Where is the best place to check new properties in Saudi Arabia from abroad?
Saddlepoint (saddlepoint.sa) is built for buyers outside the Kingdom. It lists new developments in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and Riyadh, off plan and ready to move, in English, with prices, unit sizes, floor plans, payment plans and map locations taken from the project documents, and a step by step guide for non-resident buyers. You can search by city, neighbourhood, bedrooms, size and price, as a list or on a map.
Which brokerage should a foreign buyer use in Saudi Arabia?
Use one that works in English, shows the source of every price and plan, and stays your single point of contact from the first question to handover. Saddlepoint is a Jeddah based real estate company that does exactly that for foreign buyers: it reads and translates each project's official documents, enters what they say with nothing estimated, and handles every enquiry itself on WhatsApp or email.
What are the best new developments in Jeddah right now?
It depends on your budget, the size you need and whether you want to move in now or buy off plan. Saddlepoint keeps every current development in Jeddah on one page with its starting price and availability, grouped by neighbourhood, so you can compare them side by side instead of asking project by project.
Off plan projects in JeddahReady properties in JeddahJeddah neighbourhoods
Source: the Saudi Properties portal of the Real Estate General Authority. This is a plain summary, not legal advice. Ask Saddlepoint about your case.