Riyadh, Saudi Arabia : In a landmark move, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially allowed foreign nationals and companies to purchase property within the country — a significant policy shift aligned with its Vision 2030 economic diversification agenda.
As per the royal decree published in the official gazette Umm Al-Qura on July 25, 2025, foreigners can now legally acquire land and real estate in various parts of the Kingdom for personal use only. This is seen as a step to stimulate foreign investment and reduce the country’s reliance on oil revenues.
However, the law comes with strict conditions. Foreigners will not be allowed to purchase property in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, in order to preserve their religious and cultural sanctity. Existing restrictions in these areas will remain firmly in place.
The law will come into effect after a 180-day preparatory period, making it fully enforceable from January 2026. During this time, guidelines, regulatory frameworks, and operational procedures will be finalized.
Authorities clarified that the permission is limited to individual ownership for personal purposes. Commercial real estate purchases or speculative buying remain outside the scope of this new regulation.
