What Do the Executive Regulations for Foreign Real Estate Ownership Include and Where Is Ownership Allowed?

During its session chaired by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Saudi Council of Ministers approved a number of significant decisions aimed at supporting economic development and enhancing the Kingdom’s attractiveness to investment. Among the most notable decisions was the approval of the Executive Regulations for the Foreign Real Estate Ownership System.

This step comes as part of ongoing efforts to improve the real estate investment environment and strengthen the regulatory framework governing the sector, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to attract foreign investment and increase the contribution of the real estate sector to the national economy.

The key real estate-related decisions included:

• Approval of the Executive Regulations for the Foreign Real Estate Ownership System.
• Adoption of the geographical zones where foreign nationals are permitted to own real estate.
• Establishment of regulations and procedures governing property ownership by non-Saudis.
• Organization of licensing and registration mechanisms for real estate ownership transactions in accordance with approved regulations.
• Enhancing the attractiveness of the Saudi real estate market for foreign investors.
• Supporting the flow of high-quality investments into the real estate sector across various regions of the Kingdom.
• Achieving a balance between real estate market development and the protection of national interests.
• Providing a clear regulatory framework that enhances transparency and investor confidence.
• Contributing to the activation of real estate projects and supporting sustainable urban development.
• Supporting Saudi Vision 2030 objectives related to economic diversification and attracting foreign capital.

The new executive regulations are expected to provide greater clarity in organizing real estate ownership by non-Saudis, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the Saudi real estate market and making it a more attractive destination for regional and international investments in the years ahead.