Villas for Sale in Saudi Arabia for Foreigners

The Non-Saudis Property Ownership System, which came into effect at the beginning of 2026, allows foreign investors and residents to apply for owning residential villas in Saudi Arabia, but the detailed provisions of this ownership differ significantly from one city to another. This page explains the full legal mechanism for buying a villa as a foreigner in Saudi Arabia, starting from eligibility conditions, through fees and procedures, to the differences between cities that should be known before searching for a specific villa, complementing the general overview found on the page Villas for Sale in Saudi Arabia.

The current Non-Saudis Ownership System applied to villa purchases

The updated system for Non-Saudis Property Ownership includes residential villas alongside other types of properties. The system unifies the regulations and procedures for foreign ownership within a single legal framework linked to the Saudi Real Estate Digital Portal, which is the sole 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 villas to provide housing for their employees under separate regulations from the individual ownership track.

How do villa ownership rules for foreigners differ between Saudi cities?

This difference represents the most important point any foreign investor must understand before beginning to search for a villa in Saudi Arabia, as not all cities are subject to the same provisions:

• Riyadh and Jeddah: Among four cities designated by the Non-Saudis Ownership System, approved geographic zones were determined by a Cabinet resolution. This means ownership eligibility is linked specifically to the villa’s location within these zones, not merely its administrative placement within the city.

• Other cities in the Kingdom: Residential ownership for foreigners is enabled more broadly without confinement to specific geographic zones, according to clarifications from the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.

• Makkah and Madinah: Property ownership, including villas, is restricted exclusively to Muslims, and these cities do not apply the geographic zones system used in Riyadh and Jeddah.

Before any financial commitment in a specific city, direct verification via the Saudi Real Estate Portal of the target villa’s status remains a mandatory step, as details of the approved zone may vary from one neighborhood to another within the same city, as illustrated for example on the page Foreign Properties in Al-Rimal District.

Who is eligible to apply to buy a villa as a foreigner in Saudi Arabia?

Applicants for villa ownership in permitted areas are divided into two categories: residents in the Kingdom with a valid regular residency permit, eligible to apply to own one residential unit for personal use, and non-resident individuals or non-Saudi companies, subject to separate submission regulations distinct 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.

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What are the conditions and documents required to buy a villa for foreigners in Saudi Arabia?

For a foreign resident wishing to buy a villa, the system requires several basic conditions to be met before completion of the transaction:

• The residency permit must be valid throughout the application and ownership period.

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

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

• The villa must be located within the approved geographic zone, in cities where this condition applies.

What fees are imposed on foreigners owning villas in Saudi Arabia?

The system imposes a fee not exceeding 5% of the property transaction value on Non-Saudis ownership transactions, and this fee is added to the total transaction cost regardless of the city or villa type. The actual fee amount varies depending on the nature of each transaction; therefore, it is advisable to confirm the exact amount applied to the targeted villa before signing any contract.

Can foreigners buy off-plan villas in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, the Non-Saudis ownership track includes villas sold off-plan alongside ready villas within the permitted cities and geographic zones. In this case, in addition to the Non-Saudis ownership conditions, the regulations related to off-plan sales, such as project licensing and an independent escrow account, apply, thus providing the foreign buyer with dual protection both legally and financially.

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Is purchasing a villa as a foreigner linked to obtaining residency in Saudi Arabia?

Purchasing a residential villa above a certain value is included among the pathways eligible for one of the types of residency linked to real estate ownership in Saudi Arabia. The details of the minimum villa value and accompanying conditions vary according to the type of residency required. Therefore, it is preferable to review the full and updated conditions of this pathway separately before linking the decision to purchase the villa to the residency plan.

What are the steps to buy a villa for foreigners in Saudi Arabia?

The purchase process proceeds sequentially regardless of the city, with differences in the geographic zone details as previously explained:

• Create an account on the Saudi Real Estate Portal and verify identity.

• Submit an application for the eligibility certificate for ownership and wait for approval from the General Authority for Real Estate.

• Verify that the targeted villa is listed within the approved geographic zone in its city.

• Sign the sales contract and pay due official fees, including the Non-Saudis ownership fee.

• Complete ownership transfer procedures and register the title deed in the buyer’s name.

How does امتلاك Global assist you in buying a villa as a foreigner in Saudi Arabia?

Buying a villa as a foreigner in Saudi Arabia requires careful monitoring of several simultaneous elements: verifying the approved geographic zone in the targeted city, timely obtaining the eligibility certificate, and ensuring project licensing if the villa is off-plan. The امتلاك Global team accompanies foreign investors through these precise steps, from eligibility verification to final title deed registration, including existing differences between cities. For those who plan to buy villas in more than one city or face difficulty identifying the approved geographic zone for a specific neighborhood, an individual case review is available before making any financial decision.

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