Saudi Arabia Launches “Saudi Properties” Platform Ahead of Non-Saudi Property Ownership Law

Saudi Arabia has launched the Saudi Properties platform as a centralized digital gateway to prepare for the Non-Saudi Property Ownership Law taking effect in January 2026, streamlining eligibility checks, applications, and regulatory oversight. The platform operationalizes the new legal framework, improving transparency and market access for foreign investors while supporting controlled expansion of non-Saudi participation in the real estate sector.

Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate General Authority (REGA) has announced the launch of the “Saudi Properties” platform, establishing a national digital gateway for non-Saudi real estate ownership. The platform is being introduced ahead of the Non-Saudi Property Ownership Law coming into force in mid-January 2026 and complements recently approved measures, including the use of a digital ID system for foreign buyers.

Together, these initiatives form part of Saudi Arabia’s broader real estate and investment reform agenda, aimed at streamlining ownership procedures, strengthening regulatory oversight, and enhancing the Kingdom’s attractiveness to international investors.

Background: Preparing for non-Saudi property ownership

Saudi Arabia’s Non-Saudi Property Ownership Law, approved in 2025, is scheduled to enter into force in mid-January 2026 and represents a significant shift in the Kingdom’s real estate framework. The law establishes a formal legal basis for non-Saudi individuals and entities to acquire property in designated areas, subject to defined eligibility conditions, governance requirements, and regulatory oversight. Its implementation is intended to broaden access to the Saudi real estate market while ensuring that foreign ownership is managed within a clear and controlled legal structure.

Central to this approach is the decision to channel non-Saudi property ownership transactions through a single official digital platform. By designating “Saudi Properties” as the exclusive gateway for such transactions, authorities aim to standardize application processes, consolidate data, and strengthen coordination among relevant government entities. This centralized model reduces administrative fragmentation, improves monitoring, and supports more consistent enforcement of ownership rules.

Regulatory clarity and transparency are key objectives of the new framework. For foreign investors, a unified platform combined with clear legal requirements, such as eligibility verification, digital identification, and defined approval processes, helps reduce uncertainty and transaction risk. For regulators, the system enhances oversight and data integrity.

The “Saudi Properties” platform: Scope and functions

The platform centralizes and streamlines the real estate acquisition process for foreign investors and residents, serving as the single point of access for regulatory and transactional interactions under the new legal framework.

Core functions and capabilities

• Property browsing: Users can search and explore eligible residential and commercial real estate opportunities across approved geographic zones, providing market visibility and choice ahead of investment decisions.

• Developer engagement: The portal facilitates direct communication with licensed developers, enabling prospective buyers to obtain project information and clarify terms before initiating applications.

• Application submission: Investors can submit ownership applications through a unified digital interface, reducing reliance on disparate systems and manual paperwork.

• Eligibility verification: The platform validates buyer eligibility against regulatory requirements set out in the new law, supporting compliance with residency status, zone rules, and ownership limits.

• Government integration: Saudi Properties connects with relevant government entities to facilitate vetting, approvals, and registration, creating an integrated ecosystem that aligns with REGA’s oversight and enforcement functions.

End-to-end digital process

By consolidating browsing, application, verification, and interagency coordination into a single digital journey, Saudi Properties aims to simplify procedures, enhance transparency, and build investor confidence in Saudi Arabia’s real estate market. The platform is positioned as a key enabler for executing the forthcoming ownership law, offering a seamless and reliable experience for foreign buyers.

Implications for foreign investors and developers

The launch of the Saudi Properties platform represents a practical bridge between regulatory reform and market access for non-Saudi investors. While the new Real Estate Ownership Law by Non-Saudis establishes the legal basis for foreign ownership within designated zones, the platform provides a centralized digital interface through which eligible buyers can identify permitted properties, understand ownership structures, and prepare for registration requirements.

For non-Saudi individuals and entities, particularly first-time entrants to the Saudi market, this reduces informational asymmetries that have historically complicated real estate transactions. By consolidating listings aligned with approved geographic scopes and ownership conditions, the platform supports compliance with the new legal framework while lowering entry barriers.

Improved access to information and reduced administrative friction

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Under the new law, all real estate acquisitions by non-Saudis must be registered with the competent authority and recorded in the national Real Estate Registry to be legally effective. The Saudi Properties platform is positioned to streamline this process by digitizing property data, ownership eligibility parameters, and, potentially, registration workflows once the Implementing Regulations are issued.

This digitalization is particularly relevant in light of the law’s enforcement mechanisms, including transfer fees of up to 5 percent and penalties for non-compliance or misrepresentation. Improved transparency and standardized information flows reduce regulatory risk for investors while supporting oversight by the REGA.

Opportunities for developers targeting international buyers under the new framework

For developers, the platform opens a new channel to reach international buyers operating within clearly defined regulatory boundaries. Projects located in approved zones—particularly in high-demand urban centers such as Riyadh and Jeddah—can be positioned directly to foreign individuals, investment vehicles, and multinational companies seeking operational or residential assets.

The law explicitly permits foreign-owned companies, investment funds, and special-purpose vehicles to acquire real estate necessary for business activities or employee accommodation, subject to applicable regulations. As a result, developers with mixed-use, residential, or commercial projects aligned with these needs may see increased demand from foreign corporate buyers preparing for the law’s entry into force in 2026.

Conclusion

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The Saudi Properties platform can be seen as a foundational tool for operationalizing the Real Estate Ownership Law by Non-Saudis, translating statutory rights into accessible, market-ready opportunities. Its launch ahead of the law’s anticipated entry into force in early 2026 allows investors, developers, and regulators to adapt gradually to the new framework.

As Implementing Regulations clarify permitted zones, registration procedures, and fee structures, the platform is likely to play an increasingly central role in facilitating compliant foreign participation in the Saudi real estate market. Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the integration of regulatory reform with digital market infrastructure is expected to support sustained foreign interest and deepen the Kingdom’s real estate investment ecosystem.

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