Conditions for Property Ownership for Non-Saudis: Residents and Non-Residents

The Conditions for Property Ownership for non-Saudis in Saudi Arabia vary significantly depending on your legal status, whether you are an individual or a company, a resident or non-resident, and whether the property lies inside or outside the approved geographic zones. This guide outlines the specific Conditions for Property Ownership for each category, based on the Law of Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis and its executive regulations approved on June 23, 2026. For a full legal framework and detailed geographic scope, you can refer to Foreign Property Ownership in Saudi Arabia Guide.

Conditions for Property Ownership for Resident Foreigners in Saudi Arabia

A foreign national holding a valid Saudi residency enjoys the broadest Conditions for Property Ownership under the current system. A resident is permitted to own one residential property for personal use outside the designated geographic zones set by the Council of Ministers. Additionally, ownership is also allowed within the approved geographic zones if desired.

The only exception applies to Makkah and Madinah, where ownership is restricted to Muslim residents, and only within the officially approved zones, not across all districts.From a procedural standpoint, the resident must have:

• A valid, unexpired residency permit

• A clean criminal and security record

• Ownership aligned with the declared purpose (residential or investment)

It is worth noting that holders of Premium Residency benefit from more flexible approval procedures compared to standard residents, as this category undergoes a more thorough vetting process during residency issuance.

An important clarification: spouses, parents, and children financially dependent on the resident are considered dependents for residential ownership purposes. Therefore, none of them may independently own a separate residential property as long as the dependency status is officially documented.

Read also: Residency in Saudi Arabia Through Real Estate Investment

Conditions for Property Ownership for Non-Resident Foreigners

A key distinction often overlooked is that non-resident foreigners, those without a Saudi residency, are not allowed to own property outside the approved geographic zones, unlike residents. Their property ownership is strictly limited to these designated zones.

A newly introduced procedural requirement for this category is obtaining and activating a digital identity through the Absher platform before initiating any ownership transaction. This requirement was explicitly included in the executive regulations to ensure identity verification for non-resident buyers who do not possess a national ID or residency record.

In practical terms, a foreign investor living in the GCC, Europe, or Turkey who wishes to invest in Riyadh or Jeddah without holding Saudi residency must first issue this digital ID as a preliminary step before beginning the property search process, to avoid delays after selecting a suitable property.

Read also: Types of Residencies in Saudi Arabia

Conditions for Property Ownership for Non-Saudi Companies

The Conditions for Property Ownership also vary depending on the type of company.

A non-Saudi company, whether it has an existing presence in Saudi Arabia or not, may own property necessary for its business activities, headquarters, or employee housing within the approved geographic zones.

On the other hand, a Saudi company that is not publicly listed and is established under Saudi Companies Law, but includes one or more non-Saudi shareholders, is also permitted to own property within the same geographic zones—including in Makkah and Madinah—for business operations or employee housing. This is a distinct advantage not available to non-Saudi individuals.

These companies must:

• Be registered with the Ministry of Investment

• Have a legal representative holding a valid Saudi-issued ID

before submitting any property ownership application.

Read also: Real Estate Investment After the Approval of Saudi Foreign Property Ownership RegulationsUnderstanding the differences in the Conditions for Property Ownership between residents and non-residents, as well as individuals and companies, is essential in determining what you can own and where. This is precisely what we review with every client at Imtilak Global Saudi Arabia before starting the property search process, to avoid selecting properties that may not be legally eligible for ownership based on your status.

If you are unsure which category applies to you or whether a specific property falls within the approved zones, contact one of our specialized real estate advisors for foreign ownership cases for a completely free consultation.

FAQs on Conditions for Property Ownership for Non-Saudis

Do the Conditions for Property Ownership differ between residents and non-residents?
Yes, and this is a fundamental distinction. A resident can own one residential property outside the approved zones in addition to owning within them, while a non-resident is limited strictly to properties inside the approved zones and must obtain an activated digital ID via Absher.

Does a non-resident investor need to visit Saudi Arabia to complete the purchase?
Current digital procedures allow much of the process to be completed remotely after obtaining the digital ID. However, final notarization steps may require physical presence or a legal power of attorney. It is advisable to confirm through the Saudi Real Estate portal at the time of application.

Can a Saudi company partially owned by foreigners own property in Makkah and Madinah?
Yes. Unlike individuals, such companies are allowed to own property in Makkah and Madinah within approved zones, strictly for business operations or employee housing purposes.