Non-Saudi individuals, companies and other eligible entities may now acquire real estate rights within approved geographic zones, subject to the applicable requirements. Eligibility to own real estate rights is not limited to Saudis or residents of Saudi Arabia.
The regime opens up substantial opportunities to foreign investors while introducing a map-based system that identifies where ownership rights are available and under what conditions. At the centre of the framework is the Saudi Properties platform operated by the Real Estate General Authority (REGA), which allows investors to identify designated zones and verify the ownership rules that apply to specific locations.
While the new regime creates opportunities, it also raises eligibility, geographic and regulatory issues.
Identification of the designated investment zones
The new regime extends across the Kingdom covering several categories of areas where foreign ownership rights may be available.
Key destinations
The most prominent category comprises designated investment zones in strategic locations across the Kingdom. These zones include locations in Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and AlUla.
The permitted property types, ownership percentages, available rights and duration limits vary by zone and should be checked on the Saudi Properties platform. Within these designated zones, foreign investors can generally acquire ownership rights over all property types and can hold up to 100% ownership interests. In many cases, usufruct rights of up to 99 years are also permitted.
Giga and megaprojects
The framework also covers some of Saudi Arabia’s flagship Vision 2030 developments including NEOM, AMAALA, the Red Sea Project, ROSHN, Diriyah and Al Soudah.
Cities and special economic zones
Foreign investors can also access opportunities within important economic centres and special economic zones, including King Abdullah Economic City, the Special Economic Zone within King Abdullah Economic City, Ras Al-Khair Special Economic Zone and Jazan Special Economic Zone.
Kingdom regions
The regime extends beyond the key destinations highlighted above. REGA’s platform identifies a long list of additional locations situated within the urban boundaries of regions across Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Asir, Qassim, Tabuk, Hail, Northern Borders, Jazan, Najran, AlBaha and AlJawf. This broadens the geographic scope of potential foreign ownership opportunities.
Why designated investment zones matter
The designated investment zones are likely to attract particular attention because they contain many of the Kingdom’s highest-profile real estate and infrastructure developments or opportunities.
The areas in which foreign ownership rights may be available are now more clearly defined. The platform-based approach allows investors to identify whether a particular plot falls within an approved zone before progressing with transactions or project planning.
The designation of specific development areas also reflects government priorities: directing foreign investment towards strategic tourism, residential, commercial and mixed-use projects that support Saudi Arabia’s broader economic diversification agenda.
Investment destinations to watch
Riyadh
Riyadh’s designated zones cover many of the capital’s flagship developments, including:
- King Salman Park
- Diriyah Gate
- Sports Boulevard and the Arts District
- King Salman International Airport
- King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD)
- New Murabba
- Qiddiya
- SEDRA
- Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) areas located along key public transport corridors, in particular Metro lines.
Jeddah
Jeddah has the largest concentration of designated zones, with 57 designated areas including ALAROUS, Jeddah Central and 55 separate development zones spread across the governorate.
The scale of the Jeddah designations reflects the city’s strategic importance as a commercial, logistics and tourism hub.
AlUla
AlUla includes 17 designated zones. While most permit ownership and other real rights, certain zones allow all rights except freehold ownership, highlighting the importance of reviewing the specific rules applicable to each location before investing.
Makkah and Madinah
Makkah and Madinah occupy a unique position within the new framework.
Both cities contain investment zones covering major development such as Jabal Omar, Masar, Thakher Makkah, Rua Al Madinah, Knowledge Economic City and Downtown Madinah.
Makkah and Madinah are subject to a special regime reflecting their religious significance. Ownership rights in these cities are more restricted than elsewhere in the Kingdom and, in the case of individuals, are limited to Muslims. Investors should review the applicable zone-specific requirements and ownership structures before proceeding
ROSHN Developments
ROSHN Group, a Public Investment Fund real estate developer and one of Saudi Arabia’s leading master developers, is playing a significant role in the Kingdom’s urban transformation through the delivery of large-scale integrated communities and mixed-use destinations. The inclusion of SEDRA in Riyadh, ALAROUS and MARAFY in Jeddah, ALMANAR in Makkah and ALDANAH in the Eastern Province illustrates the geographic reach of the group’s master-planned communities.
Using the REGA platform
The maps and zone boundaries published by REGA should be the starting point for checking whether a property is within an eligible area and what rights are available. As boundaries may change, investors should verify the current position on the Saudi Properties platform and undertake appropriate legal, regulatory and commercial due diligence.