The Saudi Council of Ministers, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, has approved a new system allowing non-Saudis to own real estate within the Kingdom.
Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing and Chairman of the General Real Estate Authority, Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, stated that the approval comes as an “extension of real estate legislation aimed at developing the sector and encouraging direct foreign investment.”
He added that the amendments to the property ownership system “will help increase real estate supply by attracting investors and real estate development companies to the Saudi market.”
Al-Hogail affirmed that the updated system “takes into account the interests of Saudi citizens through mechanisms that ensure market regulation and compliance with specified procedures aimed at achieving real estate balance.” He explained that the system addresses all economic and investment aspects, “allowing ownership in specified geographic areas, especially in Riyadh and Jeddah, with specific conditions for ownership in Mecca and Medina.”
The decision has sparked debate on social media about whether the new amendment would permit non-Muslims to own property in Medina and Mecca.
The General Real Estate Authority announced that it will present the system’s executive regulations for public consultation on the “Istitlaa” platform within 180 days of their publication in the Official Gazette. The law will come into effect in January 2026, as stipulated in the system.
The executive regulations will outline the procedures for non-Saudis to acquire real property rights, the requirements for implementing the provisions on non-Saudis, and the full details of how the system will be applied in a way that considers all economic and social aspects.
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