• A. A non-Saudi investor with natural or corporate personality, licensed to practice any professional, vocational, or economic activity may acquire the real estate necessary for practicing the activity. It shall include the real estate required for his residence and the residence of his employees, pursuant to the approval of the body issuing the license. Said real estate may also be rented subject to the provisions of Article 5 of this Law.

• B. If the abovementioned license includes purchasing buildings or lands in order to construct buildings on them and invest them by means of selling or renting, the total cost of the project, land and construction, shall not be less than 30,000,000 riyals. This amount may be amended by the Council of Ministers. It is also stipulated that such real estate be invested within five years from its acquirement.

• Non-Saudi natural persons legally residing in the Kingdom shall be allowed to acquire real estate for their private residence, after obtaining permission from the Ministry of Interior.

• On the basis of reciprocity, foreign representatives approved in the Kingdom may acquire their official seat of office and the residence for the head and members of staff. International and regional agencies, within the scope of the agreements governing them, may acquire their official headquarters, subject to obtaining permission from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

• Possession of real estate for private residence, in cases other than the abovementioned, may be allowed upon the approval of the Prime Minister.

• 1- Non-Saudis are not permitted to acquire ownership rights, the right to easement, or usufruct over real estate located within the boundaries of the cities of Mecca and Medina by any means other than inheritance. An exception is made for acquiring ownership rights if it is accompanied by an endowment of the owned real estate according to Sharia rules to a specific Saudi entity, provided that the endowment stipulates that the relevant authority for endowments has the right to oversee the endowed property, in accordance with what is determined by the regulation.

• 2- The term "non-Saudi" mentioned in paragraph (1) of this article refers to the following:

  • A: A natural person who does not hold Saudi nationality.

  • B- A non-Saudi company.

  • C- A Saudi company that is established by, or in which participates, or that is owned by any natural or legal person who does not hold Saudi nationality, with the exception of:

    • 1- Banks and real estate financing companies licensed by the Saudi Central Bank, provided that this is limited to their ownership of real estate for the purpose of financing those who hold Saudi nationality, as well as real estate designated for their headquarters, or the headquarters of their branches, or necessary for conducting their activities, in accordance with the controls set by the Saudi Central Bank.

    • 2 - Companies listed in the Saudi financial market, in accordance with the controls set by the Capital Market Authority in coordination with the relevant authorities.

    • 3- What is determined by the Council of Ministers according to the controls it sets for this purpose.

  • D- Individuals or categories that the Council of Ministers or the Prime Minister decides to include in this category.

• Notaries public or any other competent body may not notarize any action inconsistent with the provisions of this Law.

• Implementation of the provisions of this Law shall be without prejudice to the following:

  • a) Rights to ownership granted to non-Saudis under previous laws. The provisions of this Law shall be enforced after its entry into force, upon transfer of real estate ownership.

  • b) Privileges included in the rules regulating real estate ownership by citizens of GCC countries.

  • c) Acquirement of right to ownership or any other original right in rem to real estate by way of inheritance.

  • d) Laws, Council of Ministers’ resolutions, and High Orders prohibiting ownership at certain sites.

• A. This Law shall supersede the Law of Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued by Royal Decree No. (M/22) dated 12/7/1390H.

• B. This Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force after 90 days from the date of its publication.

The Implementing Regulations of this Law shall be issued pursuant to a resolution by the Council of Ministers.