Foreign Property Ownership in Qatar — 2026 Guide

The 10 designated freehold areas in Qatar, residency benefits, fees and the full purchase process for non-Qatari buyers.

TL;DR

Foreigners can buy 100% freehold property in 10 designated areas of Qatar (including The Pearl, Lusail and West Bay Lagoon) and 99-year leasehold in 16 additional areas. A purchase of QAR 730,000+ grants residency for the owner and family.

Freehold zones

Foreigners can own 100% freehold in 10 government-approved zones:

The Pearl-Qatar
Lusail (selected districts)
West Bay Lagoon
Al Khor Resort
Al Dafna
Onaiza (parts)
Al Qassar
Al Wasil
Doha Jadeeda
Al Sadd (parts)

Leasehold (99 years, renewable) is available in 16 additional areas including Mushaireb, Fereej Abdul Aziz and Al Mansoura.

Residency benefits

Qatar links property ownership to residency:

QAR 730,000+ purchase: renewable residency permit for the owner, spouse and children under 18
QAR 3,650,000+ purchase: permanent residency with access to free public healthcare and education

Residency lasts as long as the property is owned.

Costs

Property transfer fee: 0.25% of value
Brokerage: 2.5% (typically split or paid by seller)
Legal review: QAR 5,000–15,000
No annual property tax
No capital gains tax for individuals

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent my Qatar property to tourists?

Short-term rental requires a Tourism Licence from Qatar Tourism. The Pearl and Lusail are the most active short-let markets, with average ADRs of QAR 600–1,200.

How long does the purchase process take?

Cash purchases typically complete in 2–4 weeks. Financed purchases take 6–10 weeks depending on the bank.

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