The guide
Buying in Saudi Arabia
Non-Saudis have been able to own residential property in the Kingdom since January 2026. The process is new to most buyers, and some of the detail is still being settled. Here it is, step by step.
Step by step
From first search to title deed
Check where you can buy
Foreign ownership is allowed in designated zones.
The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) sets out where non-Saudis can own property. Riyadh and Jeddah follow its Geographic Zones Document. Makkah and Madinah have their own rules.
[Current zone list and link to confirm]
Choose a developer
Compare developers by city, type of home and track record.
Start with the developer, not the brochure. Look at what they have delivered, where they build and how they sell. Our profiles bring that together, city by city.
Register on the official platform
Applications from non-Saudis go through one government platform.
Applications to own property as a non-Saudi are made through the official Saudi Arabia Real Estate platform. [Documents needed to confirm]
Arrange your finance
Cash, developer payment plans or a mortgage.
Many developers offer staged payment plans on homes bought off-plan. [Which banks lend to non-residents, and on what terms, to confirm]
Reserve and sign
Pay a reservation fee and sign the sale agreement.
Off-plan sales are regulated, with buyers’ payments held in an escrow account linked to the project. Ask the developer for the project’s licence before you pay. [Wafi licence detail to confirm]
Pay fees and tax
Budget for transfer tax and fees on top of the price.
Real Estate Transaction Tax is charged on most property transfers. [Current rate and any fees for foreign buyers to confirm]
Register your title
Ownership is recorded on the national real estate register.
On completion the property is registered in your name and you receive the title deed. [Process to confirm]
Look after it
Live in it, or let a property manager run it for you.
If you are buying to let, a local property management company can find tenants, collect rent and look after the home. See our property management directory.
Questions
What people ask
Can foreigners buy property in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Since January 2026 non-Saudi individuals and companies can own property in designated zones, applying through the official platform.
Can I buy in Makkah or Madinah?
Ownership there has its own rules. [Detail to confirm]
Do I need to live in Saudi Arabia to buy?
[To confirm]
Does Saudi Property Finder sell property?
No. We are an independent guide. We introduce you to developers and you deal with them directly.
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules for foreign buyers are new and may change. Check the current position with REGA and a qualified adviser before you buy.
Next
Start with the developer
See who builds in each city, what they build and how they sell.
Developers by region