Buying property in Saudi Arabia as an international Muslim buyer follows a clear journey. There are six stages, from getting digitally set up in the Kingdom through to owning and managing your property. Here is what each stage actually involves.
01
Digital Readiness
Before anything else, you need to exist in Saudi Arabia’s digital systems. On a tourist visa, your passport and visa unlock everything in this stage, and each step feeds the next.
- Buy a local SIM card (Mobily, STC or Zain) with your passport and visa
- Retrieve your Border Number through the official Absher enquiry service
- Issue and activate your Visitor Digital ID in the Absher app (activation is in person at a kiosk)
- Register on Nafath, the biometric sign-in used by government and banking apps
- Open a Saudi bank account with a participating bank, subject to approval
Read the full Stage 1 deep dive with app screenshots →
02
Property Search & Eligibility
The official Saudi Properties portal is the single channel for non-Saudi ownership. This stage confirms you can buy and narrows down where.
- Register on the Saudi Properties portal and complete eligibility verification
- Understand the rules that apply to you: in Makkah and Madinah, individual ownership is reserved for Muslims, inside designated zones only
- Browse the designated zones: the portal currently lists 12 in Makkah and 10 in Madinah
- Shortlist approved developments that fit your budget, purpose and proximity to the Haram
- Verify that any specific property sits inside the current published zone boundaries
03
Due Diligence
Before money moves, the project and developer deserve scrutiny. Most protections exist before you sign, not after.
- Check the project’s off-plan sales licence on REGA’s Wafi platform and the developer’s FAL licence
- Confirm which right is being sold: freehold title, usufruct or a lease, and for what term
- Review the payment plan, escrow arrangements and what happens if construction slips
- Ask about service charges, community fees and rental rules for the development
- Take independent legal advice in Saudi Arabia and in your home country
04
Reservation & Application
Once you have chosen, the property is secured and your ownership application goes through the official channel.
- Reserve your unit with the developer and pay the reservation fee
- Prepare your documents: passport, Visitor Digital ID and proof of funds
- Submit the ownership application through the Saudi Properties portal
- Track the application to approval before committing further payments
- Review the sale and purchase agreement carefully before signing anything
05
Purchase & Registration
Completion in Saudi Arabia is digital end to end: approved payment channels, government fees, then the title in your name.
- Sign the sale and purchase agreement
- Complete payments through electronic channels approved under Saudi Central Bank regulations
- Budget for the 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax plus the 2% non-Saudi transfer fee
- Ensure fee allocation between buyer and seller is written into the contract
- Register the title through the Real Estate Registry: the registered deed is your proof of ownership
06
Ownership & Management
The purchase is the beginning. Owning from abroad works well with the right arrangements in place.
- Complete handover and snagging with the developer
- Register utilities and set up service-charge payments
- Appoint property management if you want rental income between your own stays
- Understand the rules for reselling, including fees on any future transfer
- Plan for succession: registered ownership can pass to your heirs
Know the costs before you start
Beyond the purchase price, non-Saudi buyers should budget for the 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax plus the 2% non-Saudi transfer fee set by the July 2026 executive regulations for Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, along with independent legal fees. The full breakdown is in our costs guide.
A note on timing
The framework is new and procedures continue to be refined by the authorities. The Saudi Properties portal and the official apps are the authoritative reference at each step, and our guides are updated as requirements change.