Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has approved a Cabinet decision allowing non-Saudi, non-resident foreigners to purchase property in the Kingdom through a new digital identification system. The move is part of the country’s broader strategy to modernize its real estate sector and attract more foreign investment.
The General Real Estate Authority, working with the Ministry of Interior, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, and the National Information Centre, will oversee the rollout of the system. The new Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership Law, approved in July, is scheduled to take effect in January 2026.
The Cabinet also endorsed a governance framework for foreign ownership and usufruct rights, creating a specialized committee within the authority’s board to ensure regulatory oversight. Additionally, the authority’s board has been restructured, with its chief executive now serving as chairman alongside members from government ministries and private sector representatives.
Draft regulations issued this month require non-resident foreigners to activate a digital ID via the government’s Absher platform, open a Saudi bank account, and maintain a local contact number before acquiring or using property in the Kingdom.
Officials say the new framework will streamline transactions, strengthen compliance, and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s appeal as a global real estate investment hub.
