Apartments for Sale in Saudi Arabia for Foreigners

The foreigner freehold real estate system, which came into actual effect at the beginning of 2026, allows foreign investors and residents to apply to own residential apartments in Saudi Arabia. However, the detailed provisions of this ownership differ significantly from one city to another. This page explains the complete legal mechanism for purchasing an apartment as a foreigner in Saudi Arabia, starting with eligibility conditions, through fees and procedures, and concluding with the differences between cities that must be known before searching for a specific apartment, complementing the overview provided in the page for apartments for sale in Saudi Arabia.

What is the current foreigner ownership system applied to apartment purchases?

The updated foreigner freehold real estate system officially came into force on January 22, 2026, under the supervision of the General Authority for Real Estate. Its scope includes residential apartments alongside other types of real estate. The system unifies the regulations and procedures concerning foreigner ownership within a single legal framework linked to the Saudi Real Estate Portal, which is the only official platform authorized to receive ownership applications and issue eligibility certificates. The system covers both resident and non-resident individuals, in addition to non-Saudi companies and entities wishing to own apartments to provide housing for their employees under separate regulations from the individual ownership path.

How do the rules for foreigner apartment ownership differ between Saudi cities?

This difference is the most important point that any foreign investor must understand before beginning the search for an apartment in Saudi Arabia, as not all cities are subject to the same rules:

• Riyadh and Jeddah: Among four cities where the foreigner ownership system has defined approved geographical zones by Cabinet decision, meaning that eligibility to own is linked to the apartment being located within these specific zones, not merely within the administrative boundaries of the city.

• Other cities in the Kingdom: Residential ownership for foreigners has been opened more broadly without limiting it to specific geographical zones, according to the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.

• Mecca and Medina: Ownership rights for real estate, including apartments, are limited to Muslims only, and these cities are not subject to the geographical zone system applied in Riyadh and Jeddah.

Before any financial commitment in any city, direct verification through the Saudi Real Estate Portal regarding the status of the targeted apartment is mandatory, as the details of the approved zone may vary from one neighborhood to another within the same city, as detailed in the page for properties in Al-Rimal Neighborhood for foreigners as an example.

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Who is eligible to apply to purchase an apartment as a foreigner in Saudi Arabia?

Applicants for apartment ownership within permitted areas are divided into two categories: residents in the Kingdom with a valid residence permit, who are entitled to apply to own one residential unit for personal use; and non-resident individuals or non-Saudi companies, who are subject to separate application regulations from those for residents. In both cases, obtaining an eligibility certificate for ownership through the Saudi Real Estate Portal before signing any sales contract is required.

What are the conditions and documents required to purchase an apartment for foreigners in Saudi Arabia?

For a foreign resident wishing to purchase an apartment, the system requires several basic conditions to be met before completing the transaction:

• Validity of the residence permit throughout the application and ownership period.

• Obtaining an eligibility certificate for ownership through the Saudi Real Estate Portal.

• The apartment must be a single residential unit designated for personal residence, not for commercial purposes.

• The apartment must be located within the approved geographical zone in cities subject to this condition.

For non-Saudi companies and entities, the required documents differ according to the purpose of ownership (operational or investment). It is advisable to review the requirements for each case directly via the Saudi Real Estate Portal before applying.

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What are the fees imposed on foreign ownership of apartments?

The foreigner freehold system imposes a fee not exceeding 5% of the real estate transaction value on foreign ownership transactions. This fee includes both ready apartments and off-plan apartments alike. Administrative fees for ownership transfer and documentation also apply and do not differ between Saudi and foreign buyers. For those considering an apartment within a project still under construction, the related escrow account rules linked to the Wafi platform also apply, as detailed in the Off-Plan Sale System Guide.

Is purchasing an apartment as a foreigner linked to obtaining a residence permit?

Owning residential real estate in Saudi Arabia, including apartments, is one of the pathways qualifying for obtaining certain types of residency linked to property ownership. This pathway is usually related to cities with approved geographical zones and is subject to a minimum property value and additional conditions set by the program separately from the ownership system itself. It is preferable to review the full and updated conditions for this pathway through the premium residency page before connecting the apartment purchase decision to a residence plan.

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How can Imtilak Global assist you?

The Imtilak Global team continuously follows up on the ongoing updates to the foreigner freehold system and verifies that every apartment we recommend is located within the approved geographical zone before presenting it to our foreign clients. We assist you in obtaining the eligibility certificate through the Saudi Real Estate Portal and clarify the differences between cities before you commit to any step, whether you are a resident or buying remotely. Contact our consultants to verify your eligibility and choose the apartment and city that suit your goal.