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Home›Luxury Real Estate›Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate

Luxury Real Estate · Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate Investment and Premium Residency

Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate investment opened a new chapter in January 2026, when a law allowing non-Saudis to buy property in designated zones of Riyadh, Jeddah and beyond came into force, and a home worth SAR 4 million can lead to Saudi premium residency.

Updated

Presented byThe Founding Partners of Saudi Arabia

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At a glance

Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate at a glance

Law in force
January 2026 (Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership Law)
Regulator
Real Estate General Authority (REGA)
Where foreigners buy
Designated zones in Riyadh and Jeddah; wider rules elsewhere
Transaction tax
5% real estate transaction tax
Premium residency
Completed home from SAR 4 million (about $1.07 million)
Currency
Saudi riyal, pegged at about SAR 3.75 to $1

Why invest in Saudi Arabia now

The Kingdom is in the middle of one of the largest building programs on earth. Riyadh is adding new districts, a vast urban park, a metro and a new airport, while Jeddah is reviving its historic center and waterfront. For investors, the 2026 ownership law turns that growth into something they can own directly for the first time.

Our travel guides to Riyadh, Diriyah and Jeddah show the lifestyle side, and the Saudi Arabia country guide covers the basics for first-time visitors.

A horse sculpture above a reflecting pool among palms on the Jeddah Corniche by the Red Sea.
Photo: Tahir mq · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Who can buy property

Who can buy property in Saudi Arabia

Under the Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership Law, which took effect on January 22, 2026, foreign individuals, companies and non-profits can own property in geographic zones set by the government. In Riyadh these include major new districts such as King Abdullah Financial District, Diriyah, New Murabba, Sedra, King Salman Park and Qiddiya; Jeddah has its historic center and dozens of numbered development zones. The zones published in June 2026 number 57 in Jeddah, 9 in Riyadh and 17 in AlUla, with zones in Makkah and Madinah open to Muslim individuals. REGA publishes the official map on its portal and may add zones over time.

Non-Saudis living outside the Kingdom start by obtaining a digital identity through a Saudi embassy, then open a Saudi bank account; applications go through REGA's Saudi Properties platform. Residents may also buy one home outside the zones with approval. In Makkah and Madinah, ownership is limited to Muslims and Saudi companies, in keeping with the sanctity of the two holy cities.

Best areas and projects

Best areas and projects for foreign buyers

Phased opening

Diriyah

Riyadh

The birthplace of the Saudi state is becoming a heritage-led district of homes, hotels and restaurants around the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif.

King Abdullah Financial District

Riyadh

The capital's business quarter, with high-rise apartments close to offices of global firms and banks.

Sedra by ROSHN

North Riyadh

A large family community of villas and townhouses from the national developer, close to the airport and King Salman Park.

Under construction

New Murabba

Riyadh

A new downtown district planned around a landmark cube building. Early phases are under construction.

Central Jeddah and the corniche

Jeddah

The waterfront city's historic core and seafront are being reimagined with homes, hotels and cultural venues.

Red Sea and resort destinations

Red Sea coast

Resort residences are emerging at destinations such as the Red Sea; check whether a specific project sits inside a designated zone.

Leading developers and branded

Leading developers and branded residences

ROSHN

The Public Investment Fund's community developer, building Sedra and other neighborhoods across the Kingdom.

Diriyah Company

Master developer of Diriyah, with residences planned alongside luxury hotel brands.

Dar Al Arkan

A long-established listed developer whose international arm, Dar Global, launches branded towers with luxury fashion and hotel names.

Indicative prices and rental

Indicative prices and rental yields

SegmentApproximate priceIndicative gross yield
North Riyadh villaFrom about $650,000 to $2.5 millionAbout 5% to 6%
Riyadh prime apartmentFrom about $250 to $500 per sq ftAbout 6% to 7%
Jeddah seafront apartmentFrom about $200 to $450 per sq ftAbout 5% to 7%
About these figuresIndicative ranges based on REGA price indices and Saudi market reports by international consultancies in 2025 and 2026. The foreign-buyer market is new, so prices in designated zones may move quickly.

Taxes and fees

ItemTypical cost
Real estate transaction tax (RETT)5% of value, legally due from the seller, often negotiated
Non-Saudi disposal feeUp to 5% under the law; set at 2% in Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah under the 2026 regulations, with 0% for certain types of transaction
BrokerageUp to 2.5%
Deed transferSmall fixed government fee
Annual property taxNone for individuals

Saudi premium residency through

Saudi premium residency through property

Saudi premium residency includes a real estate owner category. You need one completed residential property worth at least SAR 4 million (about $1.07 million), valued by an accredited appraiser and owned free of any mortgage. A one-time fee of SAR 4,000 (about $1,070) applies, the residency stays valid for as long as you keep the property, and family members can join you. Premium residency holders also enjoy wider ownership rights.

Compare it with other programs on our page about golden visas and residency by investment.

How an American buys property in Saudi Arabia

How an American buys property in Saudi Arabia, step by step

1. Check the zone

Confirm on REGA's map that the property sits in a zone open to non-Saudis.

2. Obtain a digital ID

Apply through a Saudi embassy or consulate for the electronic identity that non-residents need.

3. Open a Saudi bank account

The regulations require an account in your own name and a local contact number.

4. Instruct a lawyer and licensed broker

Have title checked for mortgages or disputes and the sale agreement reviewed.

5. Apply on the Saudi Properties platform

Your application is checked for eligibility before funds move.

6. Pay taxes and transfer

Settle the transaction tax and fees, then complete the electronic transfer and registration.

7. Apply for premium residency

If your home qualifies, file the real estate owner application.

For US taxpayersUS citizens are taxed on worldwide income, so rental income and gains abroad go on your US return, and foreign bank accounts above the reporting thresholds trigger FBAR and FATCA filings. Speak to a US tax adviser who knows cross-border property before you buy.

Questions

Questions about Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate

Can Americans buy property in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, since January 2026, in designated zones and subject to registration through REGA's platform.

Can foreigners buy in Makkah or Madinah?

Ownership in the two holy cities is limited to Muslims and Saudi companies, under special rules.

How much do I need for premium residency?

A completed, mortgage-free home worth at least SAR 4 million, about $1.07 million.

What does buying cost?

Budget for the 5% transaction tax, the non-Saudi disposal fee and brokerage; confirm current rates with REGA.

Talk to us

Talk to us about property in Saudi Arabia

TheMiddleEast.com works with leading developers, private brokers and advisers across the region. If you are weighing a home or an investment in Saudi Arabia, register interest and we will point you to vetted professionals, or write to inquire@TheMiddleEast.com or call +1-561-543-6625.

This guide is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change; confirm every figure with the official authority and a licensed local lawyer before you commit funds.

Ultra-Luxury Tourism · Stay Here

Stay in Saudi Arabia

Many of the region's most significant buyers first arrive as guests. See Saudi Arabia at its finest: the hotels, resorts and experiences that make it worth owning a part of.

Ultra-Luxury Tourism & Ultra-Luxury Real Estate

Saudi Arabia TravelWhere to stay, what to see and how to get there.Diriyah TravelWhere to stay, what to see and how to get there.Jeddah TravelWhere to stay, what to see and how to get there.AlUla TravelWhere to stay, what to see and how to get there.

Three ways to buy

Visit First, Buy from Abroad or Invest as an Institution

Not every buyer arrives on holiday. Whichever way you buy, every buyer is pointed to a licensed Luxury Real Estate Agency or Developer in the Territory.

I. Visit first, then buy

Many buyers discover a place as guests, return to view homes in person and buy on a later visit. Our guides to resorts, flights and cities help plan the journey.

II. Buy without boarding a plane

Many international buyers own before they ever visit. They view homes and projects by video and virtual tour, work with a licensed agency, developer and lawyer, and sign and pay from home, often through a power of attorney where the law allows.

III. Invest as an institution

Funds, family offices and companies buy whole floors, buildings and portfolios. Tell us your mandate and we will point you to developers and agencies with the scale and investor relations to match.

Rules for foreign buyers differ by country and change over time; confirm them with a lawyer before you commit. Leading Luxury Real Estate law firms and lenders, country by country. Register your interest.

Thinking of buying? Tell us what you are looking for and we will point you to the right people.

Register interest

This page is general information to help you start your research. It is not financial, legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules, prices and thresholds change; confirm every detail with a licensed adviser and the official authority before you act.

Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.

Our Sister Site

Also across the Mediterranean

Many of the region’s leading agencies and developers also work across the Mediterranean, from Greece and Italy to the Riviera and Spain. Our sister site, TheMediterranean.com, has its own Founding Partner program, built the same way: three Agencies and three Developers in each Territory, and never more.

Looking for a home on the Mediterranean? TheMediterranean.com points you to its own Founding Partners.

Founding Partners at TheMediterranean.com ›