Are foreigners allowed to own property in Saudi Arabia?

When we asked expats in Saudi Arabia if foreigners are allowed to own property, they answered...

"Foreigners are not allowed to own property in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government does not permit foreign nationals to own real estate in the country, except in certain cases where a foreign investor has obtained a special permit from the Ministry of Interior. This permit is usually granted to foreign investors who are investing in certain sectors of the economy, such as oil and gas, or to those who are employed by a Saudi company. In addition, foreign nationals may be able to purchase property in certain areas of the country, such as the Red Sea coast, if they obtain a special permit from the Ministry of Interior," mentioned another expat when asked about moving to Saudi Arabia.

Are foreigners allowed to own property in Saudi Arabia?

If you live in Saudi Arabia, newcomers to Saudi Arabia would love to hear your answer to this question:

About the Author

Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.