Buying Off-Plan Property in Saudi Arabia

Where non-Saudis living abroad can buy

Foreign buyers based outside the Kingdom cannot purchase just anywhere. They may buy only within geographic zones approved by the Council of Ministers. In Riyadh and Jeddah these zones cover specific areas rather than whole cities, so location is the first thing to confirm before you look at anything else.

The type of right also depends on the zone. In some you may acquire full ownership, while in others you may receive another real right, such as usufruct. Ask us to confirm which of these applies to any project on your shortlist before you reserve a unit.

What you need to prepare before buying

A non-resident buyer must obtain a Saudi digital identity before purchasing. You also need a bank account in the Kingdom and a Saudi phone number registered in your own name. It is sensible to start these steps early, because they sit in front of every purchase and can take time to arrange from abroad.

Applications are made through the official Saudi Properties portal run by the Real Estate General Authority. Ownership takes effect only once the transaction is registered in the Real Estate Registry, so registration is the moment that matters, not the signing of a reservation.

How off-plan payments are protected

A developer may sell off-plan only with a licence from the Real Estate General Authority. This is a useful first check on any developer you are considering. Buyers' payments must be paid into a dedicated escrow account for each project, which keeps your instalments tied to that development rather than to the developer's general funds.

When you compare payment plans during construction, ask how each instalment links to the escrow account and to construction stages. Prices and payments are in Saudi riyals, so factor currency into your planning.

Taxes and fees to budget for

Property sales are subject to the real estate transaction tax. Transactions by non-Saudis can also carry a separate fee collected by the Real Estate General Authority, so ask for the full list of costs before you commit.

Choosing from a short list

Our selection currently includes 12 projects in Saudi Arabia, with prices starting from SAR 1,050,000. For each one, we look at the developer's track record, the location against the approved zones, the payment plan during construction and the expected handover timing. Tell us what matters most to you and we will narrow the list accordingly.

Updated October 2026 · Data: Palmera