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Property in Bahrain

Amwaj Islands, Durrat — FREEHOLD in zones, Golden Residency from BHD 130K

from $200,000Starting price
5-9% grossYield

Ownership: FREEHOLD in designated zones + Golden Residency from BHD 130K

Bahrain — Manama, Amwaj Islands

Market

Property market in Bahrain

Bahrain is an island state of the Persian Gulf, a bridge to Saudi Arabia. FREEHOLD for foreigners in 6 designated zones: Marsa Al Seef, Amwaj Islands, Riffa Views, Durrat Al Bahrain, Diyar Al Muharraq, Bilaj Al Jazayer (from 04.2025). Golden Residency Visa — threshold lowered to BHD 130K (~$345K) at the end of 2025. Starting prices range from $200K for Diyar Al Muharraq apartments to $5M+ for Durrat Al Bahrain villas. Yields of 5-9%. Digital registration via SLRB and RERA — fast and transparent.

  • 6 designated freehold zones: Marsa Al Seef, Amwaj, Durrat, Riffa Views, Diyar, Bilaj Al Jazayer (from 04.2025)(SLRB Bahrain)
  • Golden Residency: threshold lowered to BHD 130,000 (~$345,000) from the end of 2025(Iworld, 2026)
  • 0% income tax, 0% property tax, 0% rental tax(NBR Bahrain)
  • 2% transfer fee + 1% registration = 3% combined on the deal(SLRB Bahrain)
  • In freehold zones a foreigner can access residential, commercial real estate and land(SLRB Bahrain)
  • Bahrain is 30-50% cheaper than comparable Dubai projects(Intermark, 2026)

Prices

Price per m² by city and district — Bahrain

LocationPrice per m²Comment
Amwaj Islands$2 000–3 500apartments $200-400K, premium $500-800K (Iworld, 2026)
Durrat Al Bahrain$2 800–5 500ultra-premium villas $700K – $5M+
Marsa Al Seef (Manama)$2 500–4 000urban premium, condos $250-500K
Riffa Views$2 200–3 800gated community, villas and townhouses
Diyar Al Muharraq$1 500–2 200mass-market segment, entry level
Bilaj Al Jazayer (new)$1 800–2 800open from 04.2025 (SLRB)

Ownership

Ownership for foreigners in Bahrain

Full FREEHOLD for foreigners in 6 approved designated zones: residential, commercial real estate and land. Outside these zones — only GCC citizens. Registration is digital via SLRB (Survey and Land Registration Bureau) and RERA — fast and transparent.

  • Freehold — only in 6 designated zones: Marsa Al Seef, Amwaj, Durrat, Riffa Views, Diyar, Bilaj Al Jazayer
  • Outside these zones — not possible; the alternative is leasehold or a local company
  • Golden Residency: BHD 130,000 (~$345,000) — the minimum for real estate
  • AML check to CBB standards; money through a bank

Source: Law of Real Estate Sector Regulation №27 of 2017

Taxes

Taxes on purchase and ownership in Bahrain

TaxRateWhen paid
Transfer fee2%one-off on the deal (SLRB)
Registration fee1%one-off on registration (SLRB)
Property tax (annual)0%none (NBR Bahrain)
Income tax0%for individuals (NBR Bahrain)
Rental tax0%for individuals (NBR Bahrain)
VAT10%on services; not on real estate purchase (NBR Bahrain)

Residency

Residency through property purchase in Bahrain

BHD 130,000 (~$345,000)Minimum investment
4-8 weeksProcessing time

Golden Residency Visa for a real estate investment from BHD 130,000 (~$345,000). The term is 10 years with the right of renewal. No mandatory residency. Extends to a spouse, children under 18 and parents. The right to business and work without a separate sponsor. The lowest Golden Visa threshold in the GCC.

Source: NPRA Bahrain, Golden Residency Visa Programme

Rental yield

Rental yield by city in Bahrain

CityTypeGrossNet
Amwaj IslandsCondo, expat rental6–9%4–6%
Durrat Al BahrainPremium villa5–7%3–5%
Marsa Al SeefUrban premium6–8%4–6%
Diyar Al MuharraqMass-market segment7–9%5–6%

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about buying property in Bahrain

In which zones of Bahrain is FREEHOLD permitted?

6 designated zones: Marsa Al Seef (Manama), Amwaj Islands (the main seaside cluster), Durrat Al Bahrain (an ultra-premium man-made archipelago), Riffa Views, Diyar Al Muharraq (mass-market), Bilaj Al Jazayer (new, from 04.2025). Registration via the Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB).

What is the Golden Residency Visa of Bahrain?

A long-term residence visa for a real estate investment from BHD 130K (~$345K) — lowered from BHD 200K at the end of 2025. The term is 10 years with the right of renewal. No mandatory residency. Extends to the family. The main advantage over other GCC countries is the low entry threshold (in the UAE — $545K).

Amwaj Islands or Durrat Al Bahrain?

Amwaj Islands — a mass-market seaside cluster for expats, apartments from $200K, multi-storey residential complexes, a marina. Durrat Al Bahrain — an ultra-premium man-made archipelago of 6 atolls, villas $1M-$5M+, a golf course, private beaches, a premium audience. For yield — Amwaj; for lifestyle + prestige — Durrat.

What taxes are there in Bahrain?

On purchase: 2% transfer fee + 1% registration. A total of 3% one-off. On ownership: 0% property tax. 0% income tax. 0% inheritance tax. 0% tax on rental income (for private individuals). VAT 10% on services (not on real estate purchase). Bahrain is the most tax-friendly GCC country after the UAE.

How much does an apartment in Amwaj and a villa in Durrat cost?

Amwaj Islands: 1-2BR apartments from $200-400K, 3BR/penthouse $500-800K. Durrat Al Bahrain: villas from $700K up to $5M+ for elite ones with a private beach. Marsa Al Seef (Manama): condos $250-500K. Diyar Al Muharraq: mass-market segment from $150-250K.

Why is Bahrain better than Dubai for an investor?

A low Golden Residency threshold ($345K vs $545K in the UAE), 0% income tax, more affordable prices (30-50% cheaper than comparable Dubai projects), proximity to Saudi Arabia (the King Fahd Causeway bridge, 25 km), fast digital SLRB registration. The downside — a smaller market and less liquidity.

Other destinations

Explore other markets

UAEfrom $200,000Thailandfrom $80,000Omanfrom $180,000Turkeyfrom $80,000Cyprusfrom €200,000Greecefrom €150,000Indonesia (Bali)from $180,000Georgiafrom $40,000Vietnamfrom $50,000Montenegrofrom €100,000Serbiafrom €80,000 (~8.8M ₽)Mexicofrom $120,000Armeniafrom $80,000Saudi Arabiafrom $300,000Kuwaitunavailable for non-GCCPhilippinesfrom $50,000Malaysiafrom $150,000Dominican Republicfrom $150,000Mauritiusfrom $300,000 (PDS entry), from $375,000 (residence permit)Seychellesfrom $500,000 (Eden Island apartments)Sri Lankafrom $80,000Cambodiafrom $40,000 (~4M ₽)Cabo Verdefrom €50,000 (~5.5M ₽)

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