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Property in Saudi Arabia

NEOM, Red Sea, Riyadh, Jeddah — FREEHOLD opened in January 2026, Vision 2030

from $300,000Starting price
6-8% grossYield

Ownership: FREEHOLD in designated zones (new law 01.2026) + Premium Residency

Saudi Arabia — Riyadh, NEOM, Red Sea

Market

Property market in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Middle East, having undergone a historic liberalization of its real estate market in 2026. Royal Decree M/14 of 22.01.2026 opened FREEHOLD to foreigners in designated zones. Vision 2030 is driving $1+ trillion into megaprojects: NEOM ($500 billion — The Line, Trojena, Sindalah), Red Sea Global, Qiddiya, Diriyah Gate. Premium Residency (Saudi Green Card) — with no mandatory sponsor, permits business and real estate. Key hubs: Riyadh (capital, business), Jeddah (Red Sea, cultural), NEOM (futuristic megacity), Red Sea (luxury resort coast), AlUla (UNESCO Hegra). Starting prices — from $300K in Riyadh, $500K+ in NEOM. NEOM growth forecast 8-12%/year.

  • FREEHOLD for foreigners opened from 22.01.2026 in designated zones(Royal Decree M/14, 2026)
  • Riyadh (King Fahd District): 7,000–11,000 SAR/m² (~$1,870–2,930)(Tranio, 2026)
  • NEOM: price growth +21% over the year; KSA average +13%(Imtilak Global, 2026)
  • Premium Residency Permanent: $800,000 one-time; Limited — $27,000/year(Centre for Premium Residency)
  • 0% income tax for residents(Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority)
  • Approved zones: Al Sahfa, Al Yasmin, Al Malqa in Riyadh; Ash Shati, Al Murjan in Jeddah(Forbes.ru, 2026)

Prices

Price per m² by city and district — Saudi Arabia

LocationPrice per m²Comment
Riyadh (King Fahd District)SAR 7 000–11 000 (~$1 870–2 930)central premium (Tranio, 2026)
Riyadh (Al Malqa, Al Yasmin)$2 500–4 000approved zones for foreigners
Jeddah (Ash Shati, Al Murjan)$2 000–3 500coastal premium districts (Forbes.ru, 2026)
NEOM (The Line, Sindalah)$4 500–8 000premium residences, +21% over the year
Red Sea Global$5 000–9 000luxury resort coast
AlUla$3 000–6 000UNESCO Hegra, cultural tourism

Ownership

Ownership for foreigners in Saudi Arabia

FREEHOLD for foreigners in the Kingdom opened on 22 January 2026 (Royal Decree M/14). Access to purchase — only in designated zones approved by REGA (Real Estate General Authority). The full Geographic Scope Document with detail down to the neighborhood level is being published in stages in Q1 2026.

  • Freehold — only in approved designated zones
  • Premium Residency Permanent ($800K) or Limited ($27K/year) — required for long-term ownership
  • Mecca and Medina — holy cities, closed to purchase by foreigners
  • AML check via SAMA and REGA; funds through a bank

Source: Royal Decree M/14 of 22.01.2026, REGA

Taxes

Taxes on purchase and ownership in Saudi Arabia

TaxRateWhen paid
Real Estate Transaction Tax5%one-time; mandatory for foreigners (ZATCA)
Registration~1%one-time at registration (REGA)
Income tax0%for resident individuals (ZATCA)
Capital gains (primary residence)0%for individuals (ZATCA)
White Land Tax2,5%annually on vacant land from SAR 5 million (White Land Tax Law)
VAT15%on commercial real estate; residential exempt (ZATCA)

Residency

Residency through property purchase in Saudi Arabia

$800,000 (Permanent) / $27,000/year (Limited)Minimum investment
6-12 weeksProcessing time

Saudi Premium Residency ("Saudi Green Card"): Permanent — $800,000 one-time, with no need for a sponsor; Limited — $27,000/year with renewal. Expanded categories since 2024: Special, Skill, Investor. The right to own real estate, run a business, and travel visa-free. Covers the family. Main advantage — 0% income tax.

Source: Centre for Premium Residency, Royal Decree A/74

Rental yield

Rental yield by city in Saudi Arabia

CityTypeGrossNet
Riyadh (King Fahd)Expat rental6–9%4–6%
Riyadh (Al Malqa)Premium family5–7%3–5%
Jeddah (Ash Shati)Coastal premium5–7%3–5%
NEOMForecast after completion6–8%4–6%
Red Sea GlobalLuxury resort5–7%3–5%

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about buying property in Saudi Arabia

When did Saudi Arabia open the market to foreigners?

Royal Decree No. M/14 of 22 January 2026 — the most sweeping liberalization of the real estate market in the Kingdom's modern history. FREEHOLD became available to foreigners in designated zones (Riyadh, Jeddah, NEOM, Red Sea). The Geographic Scope Document with specific zones is due in Q1 2026 from REGA (Real Estate General Authority).

What is NEOM and can you buy there?

NEOM — a $500 billion futuristic megaproject in the northwest of Saudi Arabia (the size of Belgium). Main clusters: The Line (132 km linear city), Trojena (ski resort), Sindalah Island (premium resort, opened 2024), Oxagon (industrial port). Residences: The Line — from $500K, villas — $1M-$5M, Sindalah ultra-premium. Most are long-term leasehold with developer-backed freehold for foreigners. Forecast 8-12% price growth + 6-8% rental yield after completion.

What is Saudi Arabia's Premium Residency?

The "Saudi Green Card" — a permanent residency visa without the need for a sponsor (a Saudi employer). It permits owning real estate, starting a business, and visa-free travel. Categories: Permanent ($800K one-time) or Limited ($27K/year). Since 2024 it has been expanded to Special, Skill, and Investor categories. The main USP — no income tax.

What taxes apply when buying in Saudi Arabia?

On purchase for foreigners: up to 5% transaction fee (for foreign buyers). On ownership: 0% income tax. 0% capital gains tax on a primary residence. White Land Tax 2.5% on vacant land (from $1M). VAT 15% (but not on residences). Low operating costs.

What are the risks in the Saudi market?

Main ones: 1) Geopolitics — Saudi Arabia has no direct flights with Russia (connections via Istanbul/Dubai); 2) A young market for foreigners (opened 01.2026) — regulatory practice is still being worked out; 3) NEOM dependency — much of Vision 2030 is tied to these projects. Protection — choosing mature districts of Riyadh and Jeddah + diversification.

How much does a square meter cost in Riyadh and Jeddah?

Riyadh (King Fahd District) — 7,000–11,000 SAR/m² (~$1,870–2,930). Premium districts Al Malqa, Al Yasmin — $2,500-4,000/m². Jeddah (Ash Shati, Al Murjan, coastal) — $2,000-3,500/m². NEOM residences — $4,500-8,000/m². Apartments in major cities — from $100K, villas — from $500K.

Where in Riyadh should a foreigner buy?

Approved zones for non-residents: Al Sahfa, Al Yasmin, Al Malqa, King Fahd District. In Jeddah — Ash Shati, Al Murjan (coastal). The full Geographic Scope Document from REGA is to be published during Q1 2026 with detail down to the neighborhood level.

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