Saudi portal opens property access

Saudi Arabia has opened applications for non-Saudi real estate ownership through the Saudi Properties portal, moving a major property-market reform from law into an operational digital approval process.

The Real Estate General Authority, the sector regulator, said the portal is now the official gateway for applications under the Foreign Real Estate Ownership Law, which entered into force in January 2026. The announcement follows approval of the geographic scope and regulatory framework that determine where non-Saudis may own property, what rights they may acquire, and the conditions attached to ownership.

The move marks a significant liberalisation of one of the Gulf’s largest property markets, placing foreign individuals, companies and investment vehicles within a more clearly defined legal structure. It is designed to attract international capital, deepen the real estate sector, and support Vision 2030 targets linked to economic diversification, urban development, tourism and non-oil growth.

Saudi Properties is intended to handle the full ownership journey, including browsing eligible opportunities, checking eligibility, submitting applications, verifying compliance, and linking approved transactions with the real estate registration system. The digital process is meant to reduce uncertainty for investors and provide regulators with stronger oversight of transactions involving non-Saudis.

The approved ownership framework covers designated areas in Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and other cities and governorates. Each zone is expected to specify permitted ownership percentages, types of property rights, time limits where usufruct or similar rights apply, and any special controls. The system also recognises the sensitivity of Makkah and Madinah, where ownership remains subject to stricter religious, cultural and regulatory safeguards.

The law allows non-Saudis to own property or acquire real rights within approved geographical zones, subject to regulatory conditions. These rights may include full ownership, usufruct, long-term use rights and other recognised real estate interests, depending on location and asset type. Foreign-owned companies, licensed investment funds, special-purpose vehicles and resident individuals are expected to be treated differently under the rules, reflecting the distinction between personal residential ownership and investment-driven acquisition.

A supervisory committee made up of 13 government entities has been established to monitor implementation, manage risks and recommend policy adjustments. The bodies represented include the Real Estate General Authority, Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, Madinah Region Development Authority, Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority, Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, General Authority for Statistics and the Saudi Central Bank.

The policy comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to widen foreign participation across major economic sectors. The kingdom has eased capital-market access, expanded residency-linked incentives, and accelerated regulatory reforms around housing, tourism and urban development. Property ownership is increasingly being positioned as part of a broader investment ecosystem rather than a stand-alone real estate measure.

Demand pressures in Riyadh and other major centres have made the timing of the reform particularly sensitive. Rapid population growth, business relocation, infrastructure spending and government-backed projects have pushed up rents and values in key districts. Policymakers have had to balance the desire for foreign inflows with affordability concerns for citizens and long-term residents.

Housing remains a central pillar of Vision 2030. Home ownership among Saudi families has risen sharply since the launch of the programme, with the official target set at 70 per cent by 2030. The foreign ownership framework is therefore being introduced alongside efforts to expand supply, regulate undeveloped land, improve transparency and support a more mature mortgage and development market.

Developers are expected to benefit from clearer demand channels, particularly in mixed-use projects, tourism destinations, commercial districts and master-planned communities. International buyers may also see stronger legal certainty than under earlier arrangements that relied more heavily on corporate structures, residency status or project-specific approvals.