The long-awaited moment has arrived in Saudi Arabia's real estate sector. The Kingdom's Real Estate General Authority (REGA) has officially confirmed that the landmark legislation permitting non-Saudi individuals and entities to own property has taken full effect as of January 22. This transformative development represents a decisive shift in how international investors and foreign residents can participate in Saudi Arabia's property market under clearly defined regulatory frameworks.
A Unified Digital Gateway for All Applications
All property ownership applications from non-Saudi parties are now being processed exclusively through the official digital platform known as Saudi Properties. This portal serves as the single, centralized gateway for submitting requests, completing necessary procedures, and verifying compliance with the law's specific requirements. The service comprehensively covers residents currently living within the Kingdom, non-residents located abroad, as well as non-Saudi companies and various entities.
REGA has emphasized that each applicant category follows a distinct, predefined pathway, with automated eligibility checks and approval mechanisms integrated directly into the system. The Saudi Properties platform is directly linked to the national real estate registration infrastructure, a strategic integration designed to enhance transparency, ensure legal clarity, and robustly protect ownership rights throughout the entire property acquisition process.
How the Application Process Varies by Applicant Type
The application journey differs significantly depending on the classification of the applicant. For foreign residents currently living in Saudi Arabia, the process is relatively streamlined. They can apply directly through the Saudi Properties portal using their existing residency identity number. The system automatically verifies eligibility requirements, enabling the entire process to be completed electronically without any need for physical paperwork or in-person submissions.
For non-residents located outside the Kingdom, the process begins internationally. Applicants must first approach Saudi diplomatic missions or embassies abroad, where they will be issued a verified digital identity. This digital ID then becomes their key to accessing the Saudi Properties platform and submitting property ownership requests remotely.
Non-Saudi companies and entities without a physical presence in Saudi Arabia face an additional, structured preliminary step. They must first register with the Ministry of Investment through the Invest Saudi platform and obtain a specific Unified Number, known as the 700 number. Only after securing this official registration identifier can these corporate entities proceed with their electronic property ownership applications.
Where Ownership Is Permitted and Where Restrictions Apply
The new regulations permit non-Saudi individuals, companies, and entities to own real estate across numerous regions of the Kingdom. However, ownership in certain key urban centers follows a more controlled and carefully managed approach. Major cities including Riyadh and Jeddah, along with the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, operate under a specific regulatory framework based on detailed geographic zoning.
A comprehensive Geographic Zones Document, which will precisely define eligible areas within these cities, is anticipated to be formally announced during the first quarter of 2026. Notably, ownership within Makkah and Madinah remains particularly restricted. Only Saudi-registered companies and Muslim individuals are permitted to own property in these two holy cities, regardless of whether they reside inside or outside the Kingdom.
REGA has provided important clarification that no specific residential or commercial projects have yet received official approval for non-Saudi ownership. The authority has urged investors to disregard any circulating information about such approvals that has not been issued directly by REGA, emphasizing that stakeholders should rely exclusively on official announcements through authorized channels.
Strategic Economic Implications of the New Law
Beyond establishing ownership rules, this regulation is strategically positioned as a significant economic tool for Saudi Arabia's development vision. According to REGA, the law aims to elevate the quality of real estate development across the Kingdom by attracting international developers, specialized construction firms, and global investment capital.
The authority projects that this liberalization will stimulate substantial growth across multiple sectors including residential housing, commercial real estate, industrial properties, and tourism-related developments. Furthermore, the move is expected to generate expanded employment opportunities for Saudi citizens within real estate, construction, and urban development activities, while simultaneously strengthening the sector's contribution to non-oil gross domestic product as part of broader economic diversification efforts.
REGA has invited interested applicants to visit the Saudi Properties portal directly or contact the unified call center at 920017183 for detailed information, procedural guidance, and support as this new system becomes fully operational across the Kingdom.
