Gulf News, 23 January 2026: Saudi Arabia has begun enforcing a new regulatory framework governing how non‑Saudis can acquire real estate, marking the formal rollout of rules that channel foreign property ownership through a single digital system.

The Real Estate General Authority have confirmed that the Regulation on Real Estate Ownership by Non‑Saudis under Saudi Arabia Cabinet Decision No. 42/1447 have officially taken effect, bringing into force a system that standardises applications and approvals for property ownership by foreigners. Under the regime, all requests must now be processed through Saudi Properties, the government’s unified digital portal for real‑estate services.

The rules apply to residents holding valid residency permits, non‑residents, and foreign companies and entities, with each category subject to a distinct administrative pathway. Resident applicants are permitted to apply directly through the portal, while non‑residents were required to initiate the process through Saudi diplomatic missions abroad to obtain a digital identity before completing applications electronically. Foreign companies without a physical presence in the Kingdom must register first with the Ministry of Investment and obtain a unified identification number before seeking ownership approval.

The regulation allows non‑Saudi ownership across multiple regions of the Kingdom, but introduces heightened controls for strategically sensitive locations. Ownership in Riyadh and Jeddah, as well as in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, will be governed by a separate geographic zoning framework that authorities indicated is expected to be published in the first quarter of 2026. In Mecca and Medina, ownership remains restricted to Saudi companies and Muslim individuals.

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