REGA Activates Saudi Properties Portal for Foreign Ownership Applications

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UAE residents can now apply to buy Saudi property online. REGA portal is live - but total fees reach 10% on foreign transactions.

REGA opened the Saudi Properties portal on 23 June 2026, enabling foreign individuals, companies and investors to apply for property ownership in designated zones across Saudi Arabia.
The portal is the official digital channel for the Foreign Real Estate Ownership Law, which entered force in January 2026 under Royal Decree No. M/14 and replaces the restrictive 2000 regime.
Non-Saudi residents in the Kingdom can apply directly using their residency number, while non-residents must first obtain a digital identity card from a Saudi mission abroad.
Foreign companies without an existing Saudi presence must register with the Ministry of Investment via the Invest Saudi platform before submitting a portal application.
Total transaction fees for non-Saudi buyers can reach 10 per cent of property value, combining the standard 5 per cent real estate transfer tax with an additional levy of up to 5 per cent.
Ownership in Makkah and Madinah remains restricted to Muslim individuals and Saudi companies, with properties available only within specific geographical zones approved by the Council of Ministers.

A New Chapter for Foreign Real Estate Investment Under Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia's Real Estate General Authority (REGA) has opened the Saudi Properties portal for foreign ownership applications, marking a decisive step in the Kingdom's push to attract international capital under Vision 2030. The platform went live on 23 June 2026, six months after the Foreign Real Estate Ownership Law entered force under Royal Decree No. M/14. It replaces a 25-year-old regime that tightly restricted non-Saudi access to real estate.

In its place stands a zoning-driven framework that enables foreign individuals, companies and entities to own property in designated areas across the Kingdom. For UAE-based professionals and investors, the reform opens a structured route into a residential market projected to reach USD 47.6 billion in 2026, according to Mordor Intelligence. However, combined transaction fees of up to 10 per cent and strict restrictions in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah mean the opportunity comes with significant conditions.

How the Portal Works and Who Can Apply

At the centre of the new foreign ownership framework sits the Saudi Properties portal, accessible at saudiproperties.rega.gov.sa. The platform enables prospective buyers inside and outside Saudi Arabia to complete the entire ownership process electronically. Users can verify their eligibility, browse approved real estate opportunities within designated geographical zones, submit applications and track progress through a single official channel.

The application process differs depending on the buyer's category and residency status. REGA has outlined three distinct pathways, each with its own prerequisites.

Buyer Type	Steps Required
Non-Saudi resident in the Kingdom	Apply directly through the portal using residency number; eligibility verified automatically
Non-Saudi individual outside the Kingdom	Obtain a digital identity card from a Saudi mission abroad, then complete application online
Foreign company without Saudi presence	Register with the Ministry of Investment via the Invest Saudi platform and obtain a national unified number, then apply through the portal

For Muslim individuals, additional access is available in Makkah and Madinah under specific conditions outlined in the geographic scope document. Non-Muslim foreigners remain excluded from ownership in the two holy cities regardless of residency status, corporate structure or investment vehicle.

Transaction Costs, Penalties and Ownership Restrictions

Foreign buyers face a combined transaction cost of up to 10 per cent of the property's value. The standard 5 per cent Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT) applies to all property transfers in the Kingdom. On top of that, the law authorises REGA to levy an additional fee of up to 5 per cent specifically on disposals involving non-Saudis.

Beyond the fee structure, the penalty regime is equally firm. General violations may result in fines of up to 5 per cent of the property value, capped at SAR 10 million. Where false or misleading information is involved, fines can reach SAR 10 million alongside a compulsory sale of the property at public auction and referral to the Public Prosecution.

Ownership is further governed by a zoning system. Non-Saudi buyers may only acquire property within designated geographical zones approved by the Council of Ministers on REGA's recommendation. All acquisitions must be registered in the Real Estate Registry to be legally valid; unregistered transactions carry no legal effect under the new framework.

What This Means for UAE Property Advisors and Cross-Border Wealth Managers

For UAE-based real estate advisors and wealth managers, the Saudi portal creates a new client conversation. High-net-worth individuals and corporate investors across the Emirates will increasingly explore Saudi property exposure as a complement to their UAE holdings. Advisors should be prepared to explain the eligibility pathways and the significant cost differential between the two markets.

In practical terms, the UAE's standard 4 per cent Dubai Land Department transfer fee sits well below Saudi Arabia's potential 10 per cent combined levy. Saudi Arabia's mandatory pre-registration steps and zoning restrictions also differ markedly from the relatively open freehold model in designated UAE areas. With the portal now live, firms advising cross-border clients should begin mapping the Saudi opportunity alongside existing UAE and wider GCC property strategies.

What Clients are Asking their Advisors

Can non-Muslim foreigners buy property in Saudi Arabia's holy cities?

No. Under the Foreign Real Estate Ownership Law, property ownership in Makkah and Madinah is restricted to Muslim individuals and Saudi companies with foreign shareholders. Non-Muslim foreign buyers are limited to designated zones in other cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah.

How do UAE residents apply to buy property in Saudi Arabia through the portal?

Non-Saudi residents in the Kingdom can apply directly through the Saudi Properties portal at saudiproperties.rega.gov.sa using their residency number. UAE-based individuals without Saudi residency must first obtain a digital identity card from a Saudi embassy or consulate before completing their application online.

How do Saudi Arabia's property fees for foreign buyers compare with the UAE?

Saudi Arabia applies a combined fee of up to 10 per cent on foreign property transactions, comprising 5 per cent RETT and up to 5 per cent additional levy for non-Saudis. By comparison, Dubai charges 4 per cent via the DLD, and Abu Dhabi charges 2 per cent on freehold transactions.

What penalties apply if a foreign buyer provides false information on a Saudi property application?

REGA can impose fines of up to SAR 10 million and order a compulsory sale of the property at public auction. In cases of intentional misrepresentation, the buyer may also face referral to the Public Prosecution. The offending buyer receives the lesser of the net sale proceeds or the original purchase price.