The rules depend on who you are. See them from your seat, then start the paperwork.
Non-resident investors, expats, Premium Residency holders, foreign companies, and Saudi nationals each buy under a different set of rights, and Makkah and Madinah follow a separate zone rule. Pick your lens, then we'll map the official next steps.
Pick a lens. We'll show what you can buy, how Makkah and Madinah differ, and which Basri projects fit that seat.
01 · Buying from abroad
Non-resident foreign investors
You don't live in Saudi Arabia and don't hold Saudi residency, but you can still participate in the Kingdom's real estate market. Under Vision 2030, non-residents can legally invest in selected projects and designated investment zones, particularly in high-growth cities like Jeddah and Riyadh.
What this looks like for you
Direct purchase in approved areas. Non-residents can buy in specific investment zones and developer projects in Jeddah, Riyadh, and other major cities.
Premium Residency through real estate. A qualifying property can open a path to Premium Residency, which then grants near-equal purchase rights for later buys.
Corporate structures. Foreign companies and funds can purchase through approved corporate channels.
Makkah and Madinah: you cannot hold freehold title there. Long-term usufruct (use and benefit) rights of up to 99 years are the usual route. How the Holy Cities work.
Basri specialises in guiding non-resident investors through these pathways, from ready apartments in Jeddah to off-plan projects, with compliance at every step. The projects below are the ones currently flagged as open to international buyers.
If you are a foreigner living in Saudi Arabia with a valid residency permit (Iqama), you have meaningful ownership rights. Traditionally, expat residents could purchase one residential property for personal and family use with the necessary approvals; ongoing reforms have expanded those opportunities.
Key rights for expat residents
Purchase one residential unit (apartment, villa, or townhouse) for personal use
Invest in additional properties in designated investment zones in major cities like Jeddah and Riyadh
Access ready-to-move and off-plan projects in approved areas
Makkah and Madinah: ownership is restricted. Special zone rules apply, usually usufruct rather than freehold. How the Holy Cities work.
We help expat residents navigate these approvals, whether you're after a family home in Jeddah or an investment property with rental income in mind.
Premium Residency, often called the Saudi green card, gives qualified foreigners some of the strongest ownership rights in the Kingdom, very close to those of Saudi citizens.
As a Premium Residency holder, you can
Purchase multiple residential and commercial properties across most of Saudi Arabia
Own property without needing a local sponsor
Sponsor immediate family members to live with you
Freely buy, sell, and rent out properties (outside Makkah and Madinah)
Premium Residency through property investment: buying a residential property valued at SAR 4 million or more, free of any mortgage, makes you eligible to apply under the property investment category. The permit is typically tied to your continued ownership and carries an annual fee (currently around SAR 100,000 for a renewable one-year permit). In return you gain the right to live and work in Saudi Arabia long-term without a sponsor.
Even with Premium Residency, land in Makkah and Madinah cannot be owned outright; only long-term usufruct rights are available there. Basri can guide you from selecting an eligible property to preparing the documentation for your application.
Foreign companies and investment funds can legally acquire property in Saudi Arabia for business and investment purposes. The government actively encourages corporate real estate investment in approved areas and zones, a route that pairs naturally with expansion plans under Vision 2030.
Key points for foreign companies
Purchase commercial, residential, and mixed-use property in designated investment zones
Regulatory approvals required from the Ministry of Investment (MISA)
Suits headquarters, staff accommodation, rental portfolios, and large-scale developments
Flexible structures, including real estate funds and corporate ownership
Makkah and Madinah: corporate buyers follow the same Holy Cities limit as other non-Saudis: usufruct, not freehold. How the Holy Cities work.
We assist institutional buyers with project selection, due diligence, regulatory approvals, and complete transaction support in Jeddah and across Saudi Arabia.
Saudi citizens enjoy the highest level of freedom in the Kingdom's real estate market: the right to purchase residential, commercial, and land properties anywhere in Saudi Arabia, including full ownership in Makkah and Madinah.
Key benefits for Saudi nationals
Own property in any city or region across the Kingdom
Full ownership of land and buildings, with no limit on the number of properties
Easier financing options through local banks
Freedom to buy, sell, rent, or develop
Aside from standard zoning and building regulations that apply to every buyer, there are no additional restrictions. We help Saudi citizens find premium lifestyle and investment properties in Jeddah's most sought-after locations, and the full Basri list is open to you.
For many Muslim investors, owning property near the Holy Mosques is a deeply personal aspiration. The rules here are a zone, not a passport: they sit on top of whoever you are.
Ownership rules in Makkah and Madinah
Only Saudi nationals can hold full freehold title in these cities
Non-Saudis, including expats and Premium Residency holders, cannot own land outright
Foreign investors can acquire long-term usufruct rights (use and benefit) for up to 99 years
Usufruct rights are secured through officially notarised contracts and can be bought, sold, or transferred during the contract period
This structure lets non-Saudi Muslims invest in apartments, serviced residences, and commercial units near the Holy Mosques while enjoying rental income and personal use for decades. Basri offers carefully selected, fully compliant opportunities in Madinah, with complete transparency and legal due diligence. The Madinah projects below are currently open to international buyers.
Regulations continue to evolve under Vision 2030. This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the current rules for your situation with your Basri advisor before committing to a purchase.
Open to international buyers
Projects you can buy from abroad
These Basri listings are currently flagged for foreign nationals. Your advisor handles viewings, reservation, and paperwork remotely.
3 quick questions · about 2 minutes · official government links included
1
2
3
Let's start with your details
So a Basri specialist can follow up with guidance tailored to your situation. It only takes a moment.
Where are you based right now?
This determines how you'll verify your identity with the Saudi authorities.
Do you already have a Saudi digital identity?
A digital identity (issued via Nafath / Absher) is what lets you sign in and complete the purchase online.
Your next steps
Register on the Saudi Real Estate Portal
You already have a digital identity, so you're ready to set up your account and start viewing properties through licensed channels.
IndividualNon-residentDigital ID ready
1
Install the Nafath app on your phone and sign in with your existing digital identity.
2
Open Register New Account, select Individual then Individual Beneficiary, and enter your digital identity number.
3
Browse properties on our projects page and search for exactly what you're looking for.
4
Contact us to take it from step 1 all the way to closing the deal. We guide you through every step of the way.
With you every step
Let Basri handle the heavy lifting
Our team can shortlist properties, coordinate with licensed brokers, and walk you through every government step, so you buy with confidence from anywhere in the world.
Before you can register on the portal, you'll set up a Saudi digital identity from abroad. Here's the full sequence, with the official guides for each stage.
IndividualNon-residentNeeds digital ID
1
Create an account on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal, enter your details and documents, and book an appointment at a Saudi mission near you.
2
Attend your appointment at the Saudi representation abroad, hand in the required documents, and complete your biometric registration.
3
Once your application is reviewed and approved, you'll be notified that your digital identity has been issued.
4
Order an eSIM from one of the approved Saudi telecom providers so you have a Saudi number while still abroad.
Setting up identity from abroad can feel like a maze. A Basri specialist can talk you through each appointment and form, and have everything ready for when your ID goes live.
Every identity check, registration, and approval in this guide is completed through these official platforms.
Nafath
Absher
REGA · Saudi Properties
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
This guide is provided by Basri Developments to help you understand the ownership process. The official steps and forms are operated by the Real Estate General Authority (REGA) and related Saudi government bodies via the Saudi Properties portal. Eligibility for specific properties and zones may vary; speak to our team for advice on your situation.
