Invest in the Middle East

Few regions have changed as quickly. Each Gulf state has a national plan to grow beyond oil, from Saudi Vision 2030 to Dubai's D33 agenda, Qatar National Vision 2030, Kuwait Vision 2035 and Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. To deliver them, governments have rewritten the rules for outsiders: foreigners can now own property, hold companies outright and trade on local stock exchanges in ways that were not possible a decade ago.

The foundations are strong. Most Gulf currencies are pegged to the US dollar, which removes currency risk for American investors. There is no personal income tax in the Gulf states, and corporate taxes are low by world standards. Some of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds invest alongside private capital, and a calendar of global events, from Expo 2030 in Riyadh to the 2034 FIFA World Cup, is driving a generation of building. See The Visions and Amazing Things Being Built.

Saudi Arabia is the region's largest economy and the center of its boldest building program. Two reforms in 2026 changed the picture for foreigners. The Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership Law took effect on January 22, 2026, and in June the government published the designated zones: 57 in Jeddah, 9 in Riyadh, 17 in AlUla, and zones in Makkah and Madinah open to Muslim individuals. On February 1, 2026, the Saudi Exchange opened its Main Market directly to all categories of foreign investors.

For companies, the Investment Law that took effect in 2025 lets foreign investors register with the Ministry of Investment and own businesses outright in most sectors. International companies that base their regional headquarters in Riyadh receive a 30-year tax relief on qualifying activities, and four special economic zones (King Abdullah Economic City, Ras Al Khair, Jazan and a cloud computing zone in Riyadh) offer their own incentives. The giga-projects, among them NEOM, Red Sea Global, Diriyah, Qiddiya and New Murabba, are where many of the partnership opportunities lie. Read our Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate and Premium Residency guide.

Qatar allows foreign investors up to 100% ownership in most sectors with Ministry of Commerce approval. The Qatar Financial Centre offers full foreign ownership, full repatriation of profits and a 10% tax on locally sourced profits, while the Qatar Free Zones offer long tax holidays for industry and logistics.

Foreigners can buy freehold homes at The Pearl, Lusail and other designated areas. Property worth QAR 730,000 brings residency, and QAR 3.65 million brings permanent-residency benefits. See Qatar Luxury Real Estate at The Pearl and Qatar National Vision 2030.

Bahrain has offered freehold zones to foreigners since 2001 and allows full foreign ownership in most sectors. It has no general corporate income tax, a long banking tradition and a causeway to Saudi Arabia, which makes it a natural base for companies serving the Saudi market.

Property worth BHD 130,000 or more brings a 10-year Golden Residency. See Bahrain property and Golden Residency and Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.

First, decide what you want: a home and residency, a business presence, a portfolio, or a stake in a project. Second, choose the market and visit; our country guides and business travel guide help you plan. Third, appoint a licensed lawyer and, for property, a licensed agent; see prime Luxury Real Estate agencies. Fourth, open a local bank account and register with the right authority. Fifth, apply for residency once the investment is complete.

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