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The only platform providing verified, government-sourced investment guidance for KSA real estate — including the January 2026 landmark law, permitted zones in Makkah & Madinah, Tadawul routes, and residency pathways.

22 January 2026 — now in force: Royal Decree M/14 opens designated zones to Muslim non-Saudi ownership in Makkah & Madinah. Applications via saudiproperties.rega.gov.sa. Exact zone boundaries are being gazetted.

استثمر في المملكة العربية السعودية بثقة

$29B
KSA real estate transactions
Q1 2025 alone
100%
Foreign freehold permitted
in approved designated zones
30M
Pilgrims targeted by 2030
driving Haramain demand
3 routes
Direct, Tadawul & fractional
ownership options available

Tadawul route — all nationalities since January 2025. Buy shares in Jabal Omar (4161), KEC (4310), Makkah Construction (4100) & Masar (4325) for holy city exposure without direct ownership restrictions.

Sources: REGA, MISA, MOJ, SAMA & Saudi Central Bank
Cross-checked against official gazette announcements
Not financial advice — informational purposes only
Muslim investors, expats & global buyers
Foreign investment in KSA

Your step-by-step investment pathway

A verified pathway for international investors, updated for the January 2026 law. All steps sourced from MISA and Ministry of Justice guidelines.

Updated January 2026: Under Royal Decree M/14, foreign investors now have a statutory right to own in designated zones — no longer case-by-case government approval. Applications now accepted via the official Saudi Properties portal.

01

MISA registration

Foreign companies must register with MISA before acquiring real estate. Individuals buying in designated zones may proceed without a company licence under the new law.

misa.gov.sa
02

Verify zone & property

Confirm the property sits inside a Council of Ministers-designated zone. Use the Saudi Properties portal and Ministry of Justice Sak (title deed) lookup to verify.

Saudi Properties portal
03

Due diligence & finance

Engage a REGA-licensed agent (verify on the REGA portal). Residents may access Saudi-licensed bank mortgages under SAMA rules. Verify escrow for off-plan purchases.

rega.gov.sa
04

Register your Sak (صك)

Title transfer is registered in the national Real Estate Registry via the MOJ digital system. Without registration in the Real Estate Registry, ownership is not legally valid.

moj.gov.sa
🏛️

MISA Licensing

Foreign companies purchasing property in KSA must be MISA-registered first. Processing typically takes 3–7 business days online. Individuals buying residential property in designated zones are now exempt under the 2026 law.

misa.gov.sa →
📋

REGA Agent Check

Only use agents licensed by the Real Estate General Authority (REGA). Verify licence numbers via the REGA portal before any transaction — ask for the REGA number upfront. Unlicensed agents cannot legally register a sale.

rega.gov.sa →
🔑

Off-Plan Escrow (WAFI)

REGA requires all registered off-plan developers to hold escrow accounts via the WAFI platform. Always request the REGA project registration number before paying any deposit.

WAFI platform →
🏦

Mortgages for Foreigners

Residents with iqama can apply for mortgages at Saudi-licensed banks under SAMA regulations. Non-residents: off-plan developers often offer phased payment plans as a practical alternative.

SAMA →
Requirements

What you need to invest

Documents and timelines for the main investment pathways — sourced from MISA, REGA, and the January 2026 implementing regulations.

Documents required

  • Valid passport — minimum 6 months validity
  • Proof of funds / investment (bank statements)
  • Clean criminal record certificate (apostilled)
  • Medical fitness certificate
  • Digital ID via Saudi embassies (non-residents)
  • MISA registration + Unified Number 700 (companies)

Process timeline

  • MISA application: 3–7 business days
  • Premium Residency processing: 2–4 weeks
  • Iqama issuance: within 7 days of approval
  • Sak (title deed) transfer: 1–3 days via MOJ
  • Tadawul account opening: 5–10 business days

Makkah & Madinah specifically

  • Must be Muslim (for direct ownership in holy cities)
  • Property must be in a REGA-gazetted designated zone
  • Apply via Saudi Properties portal (saudiproperties.rega.gov.sa)
  • Verify Sak number on MOJ portal before any payment
Costs & Taxes

What it costs to buy in KSA

All verified from ZATCA, REGA, and the January 2026 law. Budget for these on top of the property price.

Transaction costs

RETT (Real Estate Transfer Tax)5%
VAT (commercial property)15%
Non-Saudi disposal fee on resaleUp to 5%
Agency / brokerage fee~2%
ZATCA official rates →

Annual holding costs

White land tax (undeveloped)2.5% p.a.
Service charges (managed units)Developer-set
Personal income tax in KSANone

Non-compliance penalties

Max fine per violation (Jan 2026 law)
SAR 10M
Fraud or false information: property may be forcibly sold at public auction. Specialist REGA enforcement committee operational since Jan 2026.
Permitted Investment Zones

Makkah & Madinah — what is actually allowed

Non-Muslims cannot own property in either holy city. Muslim foreigners may invest only in specific designated zones. Always verify at saudiproperties.rega.gov.sa before transacting.

January 2026 update: Royal Decree M/14 permits Muslim non-Saudis to hold title in designated zones in both holy cities. Exact boundaries are being published by REGA and the Council of Ministers — always verify current status before transacting.

مكة المكرمة
Muslim investors only

Makkah Al-Mukarramah

Al-Haram sacred boundary + designated investment zones

  • Masar Destination corridor — 550m from Al-Haram · SAR 50B · Umm Al-Qura Co. (Tadawul 4325)
  • Jabal Omar zone — adjacent to Al-Haram · 46 towers · JODC (Tadawul 4161)
  • Thakher Makkah — 1km from Al-Haram · SAR 26B · 100 land plots
  • ROSHN Almanar — western gate · 4,149 residential units (PIF-backed)
Common Misconception

"Any Muslim can buy anywhere in Makkah" — false. Ownership is only in specific gazetted zones and listed projects. Always verify the Sak number on the MOJ portal before committing any funds.

المدينة المنورة
Muslim only (inner) · All nationalities (KEC)

Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah

An-Nabawi sacred boundary + investment zones + outer KEC

  • Rua Al Madinah — Central Area redevelopment · PIF-backed · 30,000+ hotel rooms
  • Al-Anbariyah Zone — commercial hospitality adjacent to An-Nabawi
  • Taiba Investments — hotel & commercial · Tadawul-listed
  • Knowledge Economic City (KEC) — outer zone · open to ALL nationalities · Tadawul 4310
Common Misconception

Many off-plan "Madinah" projects are outside the municipal boundary in unrestricted zones. Always verify the municipality classification via REGA before any purchase.

Schematic zone maps — not to scale
Makkah Al-Mukarramahمكة المكرمة
Masjid Al-Haram Jabal Omar Masar Destination Thakher ROSHN Almanar
Al-Haram sacred boundary — no foreign ownership
Inner investment zone — approved projects only
Outer Vision 2030 development corridor
Jabal Omar46 towers · adjacent to Al-Haram · Tadawul 4161
Masar DestinationSAR 50B · 550m from Al-Haram · Tadawul 4325
Thakher MakkahSAR 26B · 1km from Al-Haram
ROSHN Almanar4,149 units · western gate of Makkah
Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarahالمدينة المنورة
Masjid An-Nabawi Rua Al Madinah (PIF subsidiary) KEC · All nationalities Al-Anbariyah Taiba Inv.
Al-Haram sacred boundary — no foreign ownership
Inner zone — Muslim investors only
Outer zone — all nationalities (KEC)
Rua Al MadinahPIF-backed · central area redevelopment
Knowledge Economic CityAll nationalities · Tadawul 4310
Al-Anbariyah ZoneCommercial · adjacent to An-Nabawi
Taiba InvestmentsHospitality & commercial · listed
Landmark legislation

The January 2026 law — what changed

Royal Decree M/14, effective 22 January 2026, is the most significant reform to foreign real estate ownership in KSA since 2000.

25 yrs
Since the last major foreign ownership law (2000)
5%
Max disposal fee on non-Saudi resale
49%
Max non-Saudi stake per Tadawul company
SAR 10M
Max fine per violation under the new law

What changed from the 2000 law

Ownership modelStatutory right in designated zones
Was: case-by-case government approval
Makkah & MadinahMuslim non-Saudis now eligible
Was: effectively prohibited
Rights availableFull ownership, usufruct, easements
Was: limited to leasehold only
Non-residentsNow eligible
Was: residents only
Digital / fractionalTokenised ownership recognised by REGA

Who can own what

Muslim non-Saudi individualsMakkah & Madinah zones
Non-Muslim non-SaudisHoly cities: prohibited Other zones: permitted
All nationalities (indirect)Tadawul shares up to 49%
Foreign companiesMISA registration + designated zones

Still pending — track these

Zone mapsPending gazetteSaudi Properties portal
Disposal fee exact %Capped at 5% — % TBD in implementing regs
Holy city conditionsSpecific Muslim criteria in implementing regs
Legislative timeline
2000
Original law (Royal Decree M/15)
First foreign ownership framework — highly restrictive. Holy cities effectively closed. Case-by-case permissions only.
Jan 2025
CMA Controls — Tadawul route opened Active
All nationalities permitted to buy up to 49% of Tadawul-listed Makkah & Madinah real estate companies. Jabal Omar, KEC & Makkah Construction all rose ~10% on the day.
Jul 2025
Royal Decree M/14 approved & published
Published in Official Gazette (Umm Al-Qura) on 25 July 2025. Repeals the 2000 law. 180-day implementation window begins.
22 Jan 2026
Law comes into force Now active
REGA enforcement committee operational. Saudi Properties portal launched. Disposal fee mechanism (up to 5%) activated. Applications now accepted.
2026+
Zone maps being gazetted Monitor closely
Council of Ministers publishing exact zone boundaries. Track at saudiproperties.rega.gov.sa and Istitlaa.
Indirect investment route

Investing via Tadawul — open to all nationalities

Since 27 January 2025, any nationality can gain Makkah & Madinah real estate exposure by buying shares in four CMA-approved listed companies.

Key rule: Total non-Saudi ownership capped at 49% per company. Strategic foreign investors prohibited. Shares and convertible debt instruments only — per CMA Controls approved January 2025.

01
Open a Tadawul account

Via a Saudi-licensed broker (SNB Capital, Al Rajhi) or qualified foreign institution. Passport + AML documents required.

02
Check foreign ownership room

Each company has a 49% foreign cap. Check current % on the Saudi Exchange before buying to confirm headroom available.

03
Buy shares or convert. debt

Shares or convertible debt instruments only — per CMA Controls. Strategic stakes explicitly prohibited by the CMA rules.

04
Receive dividends in SAR

SAR is pegged to USD at ~3.75. Withholding tax may apply — check your country's double tax treaty with KSA.

Jabal Omar Development Co. 4161
Makkah · 46 towers adjacent to Al-Haram · hotel & residential
Makkah core
21,000+
Hotel rooms targeted
SAR 12B
Development value
+10%
Share price on CMA day
Knowledge Economic City 4310
Madinah outer zone · mixed-use · open to ALL nationalities
All nationalities
SAR 22B
Total project value
+9.9%
Share price on CMA day
Open
All nationalities eligible
Makkah Construction & Dev. 4100
Makkah · Ajyad Towers · hotels & commercial
Makkah
+9.8%
Share gain on CMA day
Ajyad
Key zone project
CMA
Approved for foreign buy
Umm Al-Qura (Masar) 4325
Makkah · Masar Destination · 550m from Al-Haram
Makkah
SAR 50B
Masar total project
Mar 2025
Listed on Tadawul
CMA
Approved for foreign buy
Project deep-dives

The flagship Haramain investment projects

Authorised, active large-scale developments with verified foreign investor access. Every figure sourced from official announcements and Tadawul filings.

Masar DestinationMakkahActive sales
Umm Al-Qura Dev. Co. (Tadawul 4325) · 550m from Al-Haram
SAR 50B
Total project (~$14B)
550m
From Al-Masjid Al-Haram
2025–2039
Phased delivery
Muslim inv.
Foreign eligibility
  • Hotel suites, serviced apartments & branded residences with Haram-facing views
  • Managed units — rental income model with international hotel operators
  • Verify REGA project registration before paying any deposit
Jabal Omar DevelopmentMakkahTadawul 4161
Jabal Omar Dev. Co. · Adjacent to Al-Masjid Al-Haram
46
Tower phases
21,000+
Hotel rooms
SAR 12B
Development value
2 routes
Direct or Tadawul
  • Direct purchase — Muslim foreign nationals (Jan 2026 regs conditions apply)
  • Tadawul 4161 shares — any nationality, up to 49% foreign total
  • Seasonal occupancy — strong Hajj/Umrah peaks, off-peak lows to factor in
Rua Al MadinahMadinahPIF-backed
Rua Al Madinah Holding (PIF subsidiary) · Central Area
SAR 50B+
Estimated investment
30,000+
Hotel rooms targeted
PIF
Sovereign backing
Muslim
Foreign eligibility
  • Full Central Area redevelopment around An-Nabawi — world's largest pedestrian precinct planned
  • PIF sovereign backing — lowest development default risk of all Haramain projects
  • Not yet Tadawul-listed — no listed equity route available yet
Knowledge Economic CityMadinahAll nationalities
Knowledge Economic City Co. (Tadawul 4310) · Madinah outer zone
SAR 22B
Total project value
All nations
No religion restriction
+9.9%
Share rise on CMA day
2 routes
Direct or Tadawul
  • Only large Madinah project open to ALL nationalities — no religion restriction
  • Anchored by Marriott & Hilton hotels · industrial, residential, education mix
  • Outer zone — pilgrimage proximity premium lower than central projects
Top authorised developers — Haramain zones
$29B
Q1 2025 transactions
237K
2024 transactions (+37% YoY)
30M
Pilgrims targeted by 2030
14%
RE share of Saudi GDP 2024
Filter:
#DeveloperCityProject valueScale
1
Umm Al-Qura Dev. Co. 4325
Masar Destination · 550m from Al-Haram
Makkah
SAR 50B
2
Jabal Omar Dev. Co. 4161
46 towers · adjacent to Al-Haram · 21,000 hotel rooms
Makkah
SAR 12B
3
Thakher Development Co.
Thakher Makkah · 1km from Al-Haram · 100 plots
Makkah
SAR 26B
4
Makkah Construction & Dev. 4100
Ajyad Towers · commercial & hotel zones
Makkah
SAR 4B+
5
ROSHN Group PIF
Almanar · 4,149 units · western gate of Makkah
Makkah
SAR 3B est.
6
Rua Al Madinah Holding PIF
Central Area redevelopment · 30,000+ hotel rooms
Madinah
SAR 50B+
7
Knowledge Economic City 4310
KEC · open to all nationalities · Marriott, Hilton
Madinah
SAR 22B
8
Taiba Investments Tadawul
Al-Anbariyah zone · hotel & commercial · Madinah
Madinah
SAR 2B+
9
Arabian Dyar Real Estate
Masar Corridor · phase 2 open to Muslim foreigners
Makkah
SAR 9.7B portfolio
10
Dar Al Arkan 4300
Largest private developer · hospitality & residential KSA-wide
Both cities
SAR 18B+ portfolio
Investment route calculator

Find your best investment route

Enter your profile to receive a personalised recommendation — Direct ownership, Tadawul shares, or Premium Residency pathway — with a full verified cost breakdown.

Your investment profile
Results update on Calculate
Total budget SAR — drag to set
SAR 2,000,000
≈ USD 533,000
SAR 250KSAR 5MSAR 200M+
Religion Affects holy city eligibility
Residency status
Preferred city
Primary goal
Investment horizon 5 years
1 yr10 yrs20 yrs
Investing as
📊

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and press Calculate to see
your personalised route recommendation
with a full cost breakdown

Calculator uses verified fee rates from REGA, ZATCA and MISA as of January 2026. Yield and growth projections are market estimates only — not guarantees. Always consult a REGA-licensed agent and qualified legal adviser before any investment decision.

Residency pathways

Visas & residency for investors

Three main residency pathways for investors and high-net-worth individuals. Always verify current thresholds on the official portals — these are updated regularly.

Premium Residency
الإقامة المميزة
CostSAR 800K one-time or SAR 100K/year
DurationPermanent (lifetime) or Annual
Work rightsSelf-sponsor, no kafala required
Property benefitCan own residential property in KSA
Family includedYes — spouse & children
Golden Visa
تأشيرة الاستثمار
Property thresholdMinimum SAR 4 million
Duration10-year renewable residency
EligibilityInvestment in approved real estate
Business rightsAllowed with MISA licence
Family includedYes — immediate family
Investor Visa
تأشيرة المستثمر
ViaMISA investment licence
Duration1–5 years, renewable
Min. investmentSector dependent — from SAR 500K
Property benefitEligible for residential purchase
Family includedYes — with dependent visa
Daily Investment Brief

Latest KSA real estate updates

Verified developments from Saudi government portals, Vision 2030 announcements, and regulatory bodies — updated daily.

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Official verified sources
moj.gov.saMOJ / Sak
misa.gov.saMISA
rega.gov.saREGA
saudiproperties.rega.gov.saSaudi Properties
sama.gov.saSAMA
visa.mofa.gov.saMOFA Visa
absher.saAbsher
vision2030.gov.saV2030
istitlaa.ncc.gov.saIstitlaa
Myth vs Reality

Clearing up the misinformation

The most dangerous false claims circulating among agents and on social media — each addressed with its verified government source.

Myth
"Any Muslim can buy property anywhere in Makkah or Madinah"
Ownership is restricted to specific REGA-gazetted designated zones and listed projects only — confirmed by Royal Decree M/14. Projects outside the gazetted zones cannot legally be sold to foreign nationals regardless of religion. Always verify the property's Sak number at the Ministry of Justice portal.
Myth
"You don't need a MISA licence to buy property as a foreign company"
All foreign companies purchasing real estate in KSA must be MISA-registered first. Under the 2026 law, individuals buying in designated zones may not need a company licence — but companies always do, and must obtain a Unified Number (700) first.
Myth
"Buying a SAR 1M property guarantees a Golden Visa"
The property investment threshold for a real estate-linked Golden Visa is a minimum of SAR 4 million. There is no residency benefit from investing below this threshold via property alone. Premium Residency must be purchased separately (SAR 800K one-time or SAR 100K/year).
Myth
"Off-plan investments are automatically protected by escrow"
Escrow protection only applies to REGA-registered (WAFI) off-plan projects. Many projects are marketed before receiving WAFI approval. Always verify the WAFI project registration number at the REGA portal and confirm escrow accounts are established before paying any deposit.
Myth
"Non-Muslims can now own in Makkah & Madinah under the January 2026 law"
The January 2026 law maintains the longstanding prohibition on non-Muslim ownership in both holy cities. Only Muslim non-Saudis have access to designated zones in Makkah and Madinah. Non-Muslims are eligible for all other designated zones across the Kingdom (Riyadh, Jeddah, NEOM, etc.).