Saudi Opens Doors to Non‑Citizen Property Buyers

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved a transformative update to property laws that will permit non-citizens to own real estate in designated zones, effective January 2026. Majed Al‑Hogail, Minister of Municipalities and Housing and Chair of the Real Estate General Authority, expressed gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for endorsing the move aimed at boosting foreign investment and expanding the real estate sector.

Al‑Hogail described the law as a key extension of existing real estate reforms, designed to stimulate supply by drawing in international investors and development firms. Emphasising Saudi citizens’ interests, he highlighted that ownership rights will be confined to specific geographic zones, with tailored requirements for cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and stricter conditions in Makkah and Madinah.

The Real Estate General Authority will determine eligible zones and produce executive regulations within 180 days of publication in Umm Al‑Qura Gazette, leveraging the Istitaa public‑survey platform to gather feedback. The regulations will define eligibility criteria, application procedures, and mechanisms for market oversight.

Aligned with the Premium Residency and GCC property regimes, the law reflects a broader strategy to harmonise foreign‑ownership rules and support economic diversification under Vision 2030. Observers note that formalising access for international buyers will likely channel foreign direct investment into the Kingdom’s real estate market.

Analysts underscore that attracting global investors is central to expanding housing availability and invigorating sectoral growth. By limiting property ownership to predetermined areas, the government aims to avoid speculative surges while ensuring a balanced real estate ecosystem. The phased rollout indicates a precautionary yet progressive approach.

Economic analysts from Riyadh-based think‑tanks forecast that once implemented, the policy could raise foreign capital inflows and encourage major developers to launch mixed-use and residential projects catering to both expatriates and tourists. Such momentum is essential as the Kingdom scales infrastructure ahead of Expo 2030 and other giga‑projects.

Government officials emphasised safeguards for Saudi nationals, including caps on foreign‑held volume and oversight mechanisms via the Real Estate General Authority. The alignment with GCC ownership norms further signals Riyadh’s ambition to standardise investment rules across the Gulf Cooperation Council, enhancing regional competitiveness.

Implementation will begin with the cabinet’s mandate and follow with detailed execution rules. The anticipated publication on the Istitaa platform within six months invites public scrutiny, ensuring transparency in the rollout of geographic restrictions, compliance protocols, and enforcement standards.

In the lead‑up to launch, developers are preparing to refine project proposals aimed at non‑citizen buyers, particularly in urban centres and economic zones. Infrastructure and legal professionals are also gearing up to support new ownership frameworks, with market analysts predicting robust demand from regional and international investors.