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  • Saudi Arabia Launches Property Ownership Portal for Foreign Investors

    Saudi Arabia Launches Property Ownership Portal for Foreign Investors

    The Saudi Properties portal marks a significant shift in the Kingdom’s approach to international real estate investment, offering a streamlined digital pathway for non-Saudis to navigate ownership regulations that previously required extensive in-person procedures.

    The platform enables prospective buyers from inside and outside Saudi Arabia to complete regulatory procedures online, check available ownership routes, view approved real estate opportunities, verify eligibility requirements, submit applications, and track their requests through a unified interface.

    How the Application Process Works

    Non-Saudi residents already in the Kingdom can apply directly through the portal using their residency number, with eligibility checks and procedures completed through an automated digital process.

    Applicants outside Saudi Arabia must first obtain a digital identity card from Saudi missions abroad before completing their online application. Non-Saudi companies and entities without an existing presence in the Kingdom must register with the Ministry of Investment through the Invest Saudi platform and obtain a national unified number before completing the ownership process electronically.

    The system allows non-Saudi individuals, companies, and entities to own property across various regions of Saudi Arabia, subject to the approved geographic scope and regulatory framework.

    Special Rules for Holy Cities

    Ownership in Makkah and Madinah remains regulated under specific rules. Property ownership in the two Holy Cities is limited to Saudi companies and Muslim individuals from inside and outside the Kingdom.

    The Real Estate General Authority said the framework is designed to make ownership decisions more transparent by linking property opportunities to official data sources and structured regulatory pathways, which will improve market credibility, support higher-quality urban growth, and enhance the experience for applicants.

    The move builds on Saudi Arabia’s broader economic transformation strategy, positioning the Kingdom alongside regional competitors like the UAE in attracting international property investment. While the UAE leads global rankings with 56% of investors planning to increase exposure, Saudi Arabia’s new digital infrastructure may accelerate its appeal to foreign capital seeking diversification beyond Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

    REGA emphasized that the Saudi Properties portal is the official channel for foreign real estate ownership applications and for accessing key information related to owning property in the Kingdom.

  • Dammam Emerges as Top Choice for Saudi Homebuyers in 2025

    Dammam Emerges as Top Choice for Saudi Homebuyers in 2025

    Saudi Arabia’s housing market is experiencing a notable geographic shift, with Dammam capturing increasing buyer attention as affordability pressures reshape demand across the Kingdom’s three major cities.

    According to Cavendish Maxwell’s 2025 KSA Residential Real Estate performance report released on April 2, 2026, Dammam recorded a close to 30% increase in sales values to SAR10.7 billion, supported by more accessible pricing and steady economic activity in the Eastern Province.

    “Dammam, where property is more affordable compared to other cities, was the standout performer and is poised for sustained growth supported by competitive pricing and robust economic activity in the region,” said Siraj Ahmed, Director and Head of Strategy and Consulting at Cavendish Maxwell.

    The performance contrasts sharply with Riyadh, where residential transaction volumes fell 31% year-on-year despite the capital maintaining its position as the largest market by value with SAR96.2 billion in sales across 56,600 transactions. Average transaction values in Riyadh reached SAR1.7 million, reflecting higher property prices and elevated financing costs that have reduced purchasing power.

    Jeddah delivered its strongest performance in years, recording 30,500 residential transactions with total sales of SAR36.6 billion. The average deal size stood at SAR1.2 million, reflecting steady end-user demand.

    Recent policy interventions are expected to influence market dynamics through 2026 and beyond. A five-year rent freeze introduced in 2025 and adjustments to the White Land Tax aim to encourage development and improve affordability, particularly in Riyadh where supply constraints have been most acute.

    “We expect a recalibration of the market as new supply, the 5-year rent freeze and White Land Tax reforms make property more competitively priced and lead to a recovery in market activity,” Ahmed noted.

    New residential supply continues to enter the market, though delivery timelines remain fluid. Riyadh added 13,000 units in 2025, bringing total inventory to 1.93 million, with tens of thousands more planned through 2027. Jeddah’s pipeline is also expanding, while Dammam is set to add new stock over the same period.

    The expansion in supply is further supported by the recent rise in White Land Tax, which encourages landowners to develop empty plots and accelerate delivery timelines. “The full impact of this reform will likely materialise through this year and beyond, with the gap between demand and supply gradually narrowing, in turn easing price pressure and enhancing affordability,” Ahmed said.

    A new foreign ownership law introduced earlier in 2026 is expected to draw a broader investor base into the market. The framework allows non-Saudi buyers to acquire property in designated zones, marking a shift from earlier restrictions and opening the sector to additional capital.

    Oil price swings and geopolitical developments remain key variables, though underlying demand drivers continue to hold. “External factors including oil market volatility and geopolitical tensions of course warrant close monitoring, but Saudi’s residential market remains well positioned, supported by strong demographic drivers, ongoing infrastructure investment and a continued commitment to Vision 2030,” Ahmed said.

    The diverging performance across Saudi Arabia’s major cities mirrors patterns seen in neighboring markets, where off-plan sales momentum and buyer preferences for affordability continue to shape transaction activity across the Gulf region.

  • GCC Real Estate Markets to Sustain Growth Momentum in H1 2026

    GCC Real Estate Markets to Sustain Growth Momentum in H1 2026

    Kuwait-based investment firm Markaz has released its Real Estate Outlook for H1 2026, forecasting sustained growth across GCC property markets despite evolving macroeconomic dynamics. The report identifies higher oil production, non-oil sector expansion, continued government infrastructure spending, and policy rate cuts as key drivers supporting borrowing and investment activity across residential, commercial, and industrial segments.

    UAE Market Expected to Peak in First Half

    The UAE real estate sector demonstrated exceptional performance through the first three quarters of 2025. In Dubai, transaction values surged 28.3 percent year-on-year to AED554.1 billion, while Abu Dhabi recorded AED58 billion in total sales—a remarkable 75.8 percent annual increase. Transaction volumes in the capital also climbed 42.3 percent to 15,800 deals.

    Dubai continues to offer compelling investment returns, with rental yields standing at 7.47 percent as of June 2025, significantly outperforming major global markets including Singapore, New York, and London. This aligns with recent data showing that long-term UAE renters are turning homeowners amid competitive pricing and flexible payment plans.

    While acknowledging concerns about market sustainability given three consecutive years of exceptional performance, Markaz emphasized that strong fundamentals reduce the likelihood of a sharp correction. The firm forecasts the UAE market could peak in H1 2026, characterized by steady growth in both prices and rental rates across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

    The outlook reflects broader shifts in buyer behavior across the Gulf, with investors increasingly prioritizing developer credibility, rental yields, and long-term stability over speculative gains.

    Saudi Arabia Maintains Accelerating Phase

    Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector remained in an accelerating phase through H2 2025, propelled by robust residential activity and constrained office market conditions. Residential transactions increased 17.9 percent quarter-on-quarter in Q3 2025, with Riyadh and Jeddah leading price appreciation.

    The Kingdom’s office segment faces extreme supply constraints, with Riyadh vacancy rates near zero, supporting prime rent growth of 7.3 percent year-on-year. Demand stems from the Regional Headquarters Program and expanding healthcare and technology sectors.

    Despite a fiscal deficit projected at 3.7 percent of GDP for both 2025 and 2026, increased capital expenditure under Vision 2030 continues supporting construction activity. Saudi Arabia’s population reached 35.3 million by mid-2024, up 4.7 percent annually, with non-Saudis comprising 44.4 percent—a demographic dynamic that underpins sustained housing demand.

    Kuwait Shows Stable Growth Trajectory

    Kuwait’s real estate sector maintained steady growth through the first nine months of 2025, supported by rising land prices and rental rates. Total real estate sales increased 26.9 percent year-on-year to KWD3.043 billion, with transaction volumes up 27.8 percent to 4,247 deals.

    The investment segment led growth with a 60 percent annual increase in sales, while residential and commercial segments rose 8 percent and 17.4 percent respectively.

    Kuwait’s real GDP is projected to expand 3.9 percent in 2026, driven by higher oil production, improved non-oil activity, stronger project awards, and anticipated interest rate reductions. Based on a Markaz Real Estate Macro Index score of 3.45 out of 5.0, the firm expects Kuwait’s market to remain stable in H1 2026, with prospects for further increases in land prices and rental rates.

    The regional outlook comes as governments continue enhancing investor protection frameworks. Abu Dhabi recently launched mandatory digital registration for off-plan property interests through its Madhmoun platform, with funds secured in government-managed escrow accounts.

    Markaz emphasized that real estate will remain a key contributor to the GCC’s economic development in 2026, offering attractive opportunities for investors across all major property segments as the region’s markets continue to mature and evolve.