Who can buy
Saudi Arabia distinguishes between several categories of foreign buyer:
- GCC nationals: can buy freely in most areas (excluding Mecca and Medina)
- Premium Residency holders: can own residential property anywhere except Mecca and Medina
- Foreign individuals on standard residency: can own a single property for personal use with Ministry of Investment approval
- Foreign companies: can own property required for licensed business activity
- Investors in giga-projects (NEOM, Diriyah, Red Sea): special freehold packages
The Premium Residency route
The Premium Residency programme (Saudi Green Card equivalent) is the simplest route to ownership. Two tiers:
- Permanent: SAR 800,000 one-time fee
- Renewable: SAR 100,000 per year
Both grant the right to own residential property, sponsor family, run a business and travel without an exit visa.
Costs and taxes
- Real-Estate Transaction Tax (RETT): 5% of value, paid by seller
- Title registration: SAR 1,000–5,000
- Brokerage: 2.5% (negotiable)
- No annual property tax for individuals (a 2.5% White Land Tax applies to undeveloped urban land >10,000 sqm)