Saudi Arabia: Introduces Updates on the Five-Year Rent Freeze in Riyadh

Argaam, 29 October 2025: Saudi authorities have announced sweeping changes to rental regulations, on the five-year rent freeze in Riyadh and new protections for tenants across the kingdom.

The reforms, which affect both residential and commercial properties, introduce several key measures: a complete suspension of rent increases within Riyadh’s urban boundaries for five years, mandatory registration of all rental contracts through the official platform, automatic contract renewal unless 60 days’ notice is given, fixed rental rates for vacant properties based on last recorded values and new electronic system for processing rent adjustment requests.

Under the new regulations, landlords can only decline contract renewals under specific circumstances: non-payment of rent, structural safety concerns and personal or immediate family use of the property.

For properties outside Riyadh, landlords must seek tenant approval through the official platform for any rent modifications. The changes must be proposed at least 90 days before contract expiry, with tenants required to respond within 30 days.

The reforms also address contract validity, stipulating that unregistered agreements will not be legally enforceable. Additional service charges, such as parking and cleaning, must be clearly stated in the initial contract.

Enforcement measures include penalties for violations, with authorities implementing verification systems to prevent circumvention of the regulations. Property ownership changes will not affect existing rent caps.

The new system maintains these restrictions regardless of pre-existing agreements, including long-term contracts with built-in increase clauses. Officials will consider extending similar measures to other cities based on market conditions.

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Saudi Arabia: Expands Stock Market Access for Foreign Investors

Business Wire, 27 October 2025: Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) has introduced significant changes to its investment account regulations, widening access to the Kingdom’s main stock market for Gulf-based foreign investors and former residents.

Under the new framework, individual foreign investors residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can now directly invest in shares listed on the Saudi Main Market (TASI). Previously, these investors were restricted to debt instruments, the Parallel Market, investment funds, and derivatives trading.

The amendments also permit foreign investors who formerly resided in Saudi Arabia or other GCC countries to maintain their investment accounts and continue trading on the main market after leaving the region, provided they established their accounts during their residency period.

These regulatory changes mark a significant shift from previous rules, which limited main market access to foreign investors operating through swap agreements with licensed institutions or managed accounts.

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Saudi Arabia: Government Seeks Public Input on Procurement Law Changes

Argaam, 20 October 2025: The Finance Ministry has launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to government procurement regulations, running until October 22, 2025, focusing on contract termination procedures and guarantee confiscation rules.

The proposed changes target two specific articles within the government tenders and procurement executive regulation. It introduces new timelines for contract termination decisions and establishes formal procedures for handling final guarantee confiscations. It also outlines specific circumstances under which contracts may be terminated in the public interest.

Under the revised regulations, government entities must provide detailed documentation and seek approval from both the Finance Ministry and the Government Expenditure and Project Efficiency Authority before terminating any contracts. The amendments establish a clearer framework for protecting both government and contractor interests during the termination process.

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Saudi Arabia: Reforms Accounting Law and Development Fund Regulations

Argaam, 14 October 2025: The Saudi Arabian Cabinet has approved significant amendments to two major financial frameworks: the Law of the Accounting and Auditing Profession and the operational regulations of the National Development Fund (NDF).

The approved modifications encompass both the professional standards for accountants and auditors, as well as revisions to the governing structure of the Saudi Organization for Auditors and Accountants. These changes establish new operational parameters for accounting professionals in the kingdom.

Simultaneously, the cabinet sanctioned updates to the NDF’s bylaws, marking a substantial revision to the fund’s operational framework. This follows the fund’s strategic restructuring initiated in March 2022, which positioned it as an integrated national financial institution.

The NDF has established specific financial targets through its network of development banks and affiliated funds.

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Saudi Arabia: Central Bank Issues New Rules for Salary Payment Processing

Saudi Gazette, 2 October 2025: The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has released seven new directives to banks and financial institutions regarding salary and financial support payments processing.

Key requirements include: immediate processing of salary deposits upon data completion, maintenance of adequate technical and human resource, enhanced system monitoring during payment periods, implementation of contingency plans for technical issues, mandatory reporting of payment disruptions, development of internal escalation procedures and submission of detailed transaction reports within three business days.

Specific timing requirements state that: banks must report any government salary payment disruptions by 11:00 a.m. on payment day, transaction reports must include both processed and rejected payments, and institutions must provide contact details for staff responsible for government salary processing.

The directives mandate that banks: conduct system change assessments to prevent payment disruptions, notify SAMA of delays via Treasury Support Messages, maintain operational resilience monitoring and establish clear problem-escalation procedures.

The new requirements apply to all salary and financial support payments processed through the Saudi financial system.

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Saudi Arabia: Unveils New Framework for Legislative Development

Saudi Gazette, 29 September 2025: Saudi Arabia’s Justice Ministry has outlined a new approach to law-making that emphasises public participation and transparency in legislative processes.

Justice Minister detailed the implementation of a specialised legislative framework designed to modernise the Kingdom’s legal system. The new structure focuses on making legal texts more accessible and incorporating public consultation in law development.

Key elements of the framework include: enhanced transparency in legal procedures, streamlined judicial and administrative processes, improved dispute resolution mechanisms, greater public participation in law-making and simplified access to legal rights and services.

The Ministry has established new procedures for drafting legislation that require: public consultation periods, stakeholder engagement, expert input on proposed laws, clear documentation of legal objectives and regular review of legislative impact.

The framework introduces standardised procedures for creating and implementing new laws, with emphasis on making legal texts comprehensible to the general public. It also establishes formal channels for experts, stakeholders, and civil society to contribute to legislative development.

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Saudi Arabia: Media Regulator Issues New Content Guidelines

Al Watan News, 21 September 2025: Saudi Arabia’s General Commission for Media Regulation has announced new content regulations governing all media platforms, introducing strict measures to protect privacy and social values.

The regulations explicitly prohibit: Use of inappropriate language, Ostentatious displays of wealth and vehicles, Filming of children or domestic workers in daily content, Invasion of family privacy or exposure of internal disputes, Bullying or degrading content, Unauthorised filming of individuals or families in private spaces, Revealing attire or inappropriate physical displays and Misleading information and blackmail attempts.

The commission emphasized that any content revealing family privacy or internal disputes will be considered a direct violation of regulatory standards. The new guidelines also mandate modest appearance in media content, with clothing that reveals the body inappropriately being classified as a clear violation.

Regulatory action will be taken against those who breach these guidelines, which apply across all media platforms. The measures specifically protect children from exploitation and safeguard national identity and social values.

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Saudi Arabia: Revises Labour Law Penalties with Focus on Maritime and Agricultural Sectors

Saudi Gazette, 11 September 2025: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced comprehensive amendments to its Labour Law (Saudi Arabia Royal Decree No. M51/1426) violations and penalties framework, introducing new regulations for maritime and agricultural sectors.

The revised framework, published on the Istitlaa platform for public consultation, introduces specific penalties for maritime labour violations, with fines ranging from SR300 to SR1,000. Maritime regulations address issues such as working hours, rest periods, and accommodation requirements for seafarers.

For agricultural workers, the ministry has established new penalties ranging from SR300 to SR20,000. Key violations include employing workers under 21, failing to provide mandatory rest periods, and not ensuring adequate housing and food provisions.

The amendments also strengthen existing regulations, including a SR1,000 fine for employers who fail to comply with maternity leave requirements. The ministry has enhanced penalties for recruitment violations, introducing a graduated system of sanctions including warnings, license suspensions of up to 12 months, and potential license revocation.

New provisions specifically prohibit forced labour practices and protect workers’ rights to communicate with their families and embassies. The framework also requires employers to document all labour information in ministry systems and approved platforms.

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Saudi Arabia: Updates Contractor Classification Rules with New Project Division Criteria

Saudi Gazette, 6 September 2025: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has introduced significant amendments to its Contractors Classification Law (Saudi Arabia Cabinet Decision No. 49/1443), establishing new guidelines for project division and classification procedures.

Under the revised regulations, contractors can now divide projects worth SR600 million or more, provided each divided portion maintains a minimum value of SR75 million. The ministry has also implemented strict timeframes for administrative processes, requiring classification decisions within 60 working days and certificate extensions within 10 working days.

The amendments outline six specific circumstances where contractor experience will not be recognised, including cases where contract signing predates commercial registration or when projects fall outside classification scope. Additional exclusions apply to withdrawn projects, unverified contractor involvement, unauthorised subcontracting, and incomplete documentation.

Classification certificates will now be issued electronically, with validity verification available through the ministry’s website. Contractors receive a 90-day window to request grade adjustments or activity modifications after certificate issuance, and certificates can be extended once for 90 days.

The regulations require contractors to update their commercial register information within 30 days of any legal status changes. Appeals against classification decisions must be filed with the competent committee within 60 days, with further appeals possible through the Administrative Court.

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