As of January 2026, foreigners are allowed to purchase real estate in Saudi Arabia for the first time, a right that was previously reserved only for residents of the country. Following this change, the market is showing noticeable growth, with residential property purchase and rental prices in Riyadh rising by 6–15%.
International investors have strong reasons to be interested in Saudi Arabian real estate. First, property purchases in the Kingdom represent an attractive investment opportunity. As the new law takes full effect, demand is expected to increase significantly, which may drive prices even higher. Second, property owners in Saudi Arabia may qualify for Premium Residency, a high-level residency status that allows them to conduct business freely, optimize their tax position, and relocate to the Kingdom together with their family.
2026: a turning point for foreign investors
Saudi Arabia’s real estate market is currently experiencing rapid price growth, especially in Riyadh. According to JLL data, villa prices in the capital have increased by 15.1%, while apartment prices have risen by 13.3%. Rental rates are also climbing, up nearly 14% for houses and almost 7% for apartments. At present, the market is attracting interest from 2 main groups: private buyers, including existing residents, and corporate investors.
According to experts at the international law firm Mirsatori, Saudi Arabia’s real estate market is expected to continue its upward trend in 2026. This follows the introduction of a new law on January 1, allowing non-residents to purchase residential and commercial property in the Kingdom. The measure is part of Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” strategy, which aims to diversify the economy by attracting foreign investment and supporting urban development.
Currently, foreign nationals are authorized to purchase real estate in 2 cities in the Kingdom: Riyadh and Jeddah. Riyadh is appealing as the capital of the nation and a major business hub. Meanwhile, Jeddah is attractive because it is situated on the Red Sea coast and boasts a well-developed tourism sector and a port that facilitates global trade. Additionally, the government is developing special investment zones along the Red Sea coast and in the Eastern Province, where interest in real estate continues to grow.
Saudi Arabia is opening its real estate market to foreigners for the first time, so investors have a unique opportunity to buy property at reasonable prices. According to experts, these opportunities may become significantly more difficult to find within just a year.
However, even with regulatory liberalization, the scope of real estate activities available to non-residents will remain limited. Investors seeking a long-term presence and broader access to assets should consider obtaining residency status, particularly through the Premium Residency program.
Premium Residency: the legal key to Saudi Arabia’s real estate market
Premium Residency is a unique program that grants residency in Saudi Arabia. It has been operational since 2019. One of its key advantages is the right to purchase real estate, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Residents can acquire apartments, houses, and offices throughout most of the country, excluding Mecca and Medina. Even in Mecca and Medina, however, it is possible to lease real estate for up to 99 years, and the right of ownership may be transferred to other parties.
Currently, Premium Residency is the most straightforward and legally secure method of accessing Saudi Arabia’s real estate market before the anticipated expansion of the pool of eligible foreign buyers in 2026. This approach allows property acquisition to be viewed as an integral part of a long-term market presence strategy, particularly in Riyadh and Jeddah.
Premium Residency can be obtained through 8 distinct pathways, including non-refundable investments, business establishment, and real estate ownership. Upon successful application, the immigrant receives a temporary or permanent residence permit along with the following benefits:
- The opportunity to reside in the country with one’s parents, spouse, and children under the age of 25;
- Access to employment opportunities within private sector companies, including the right to change employers;
- The right to 100% business ownership without requiring a Saudi national partner;
- Ownership rights over vehicles and other movable assets;
- Unrestricted entry to and exit from Saudi Arabia, including the right to use dedicated immigration lanes for citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC);
- Streamlined access to banking services within the country;
- The prospect of obtaining a Saudi Arabian passport after 10 years of residency—a possibility not available under Premium Residency before 2024.
To secure Premium Residency, with all its benefits, one needs to invest approximately USD 1,066 in developed residential property. The residence permit remains valid as long as the property is in the owner’s name. Furthermore, residents are free to invest in real estate without being subject to the territorial restrictions typically applied to nonresident foreigners.
How the Mirsatori team helps properly structure entry into the Saudi Arabian market
Saudi Arabia’s real estate market is still in the early stages of development. The government continues to refine regulations related to market access, ownership structures, and the legal status required for buyers to complete property transactions. As a result, the key consideration today is not only the property itself, but also the legal status under which an investor enters the market and the benefits they receive from their investment.
If a foreigner purchases real estate as a resident with “Premium Residency” status, they effectively gain a master key to the market, enabling them to:
- Choose from a wider selection of properties;
- Purchase any type of real estate, ranging from residential homes to industrial facilities.
For this reason, the Mirsatori team does more than assist with obtaining Saudi Arabian residency. We meticulously craft a comprehensive market entry strategy tailored to each client’s specific needs. For example, if the main goal is to obtain residence permits for a family, investing the required amount in real estate is sufficient. Conversely, if a client aims to rapidly acquire multiple properties to generate rental income and capitalize on profitable resale opportunities in the future, the optimal approach is to first secure residency status, which significantly streamlines such transactions, and then proceed to the property search phase.
At Mirsatori, we help clients establish their operations in Saudi Arabia. Our services range from real estate acquisition and securing temporary or permanent residency to capital structuring, company registration, and investment project management. The primary objective of most of our clients is the preservation and growth of their assets, so obtaining residency is a logical next step.
Andris Kaušelis, General Manager at Mirsatori
Year after year, Saudi Arabia continues to expand access for foreign investors and new residents. The country aims to replicate the UAE’s success by diversifying its economy and reducing its dependence on oil. For investors and entrepreneurs, this creates a unique opportunity to enter one of the world’s most stable and rapidly developing markets at an early stage. Interest in the Kingdom is already growing significantly: between early 2024 and mid-2025, more than 40,000 applications for Premium Residency were submitted. This clearly demonstrates the strong potential and growing appeal of the Saudi Arabian market.
