Saudi Premium Residency and property for expats

Many buyers ask whether purchasing a flat in Saudi Arabia gives the right to live there. The short answer is that ownership alone does not, but a separate Premium Residency route exists for owners of expensive property, and residents holding an Iqama have their own ownership rules. This guide sets out what we found, which of it comes from secondary sources and what to verify. Data checked in October 2026.

Premium Residency in brief

Premium Residency is a programme that lets eligible foreigners live in the Kingdom without a local sponsor. According to consultancy sources it has several categories, among them a Real Estate Owner route introduced in 2024 and updated under rules from January 2026. We could not open the official Premium Residency portal, so the details below come from secondary sources. Other categories, such as investor, entrepreneur or special talent, exist, but we did not verify their current conditions.

The Real Estate Owner route

Secondary sources such as amlak.net.sa, baticfirm.com and ksaexpats.com describe these conditions:

• Residential property worth at least SAR 4 million (about 1.07 million dollars at the peg of 3.75).
• An existing building, not land and not an unfinished project.
• No mortgage on the property.
• A valuation by an accredited appraiser.
• An application fee reported at SAR 4,000.
• General criteria: age 21 or more, a valid passport, a clean criminal record, a health report and proof of financial solvency.

How long the residence lasts is described inconsistently: some say up to five years, others that it stays valid while you own the property. Treat the duration as unconfirmed. In practice a buyer of a typical one- or two-bedroom flat will not reach the threshold, and the no-mortgage rule means paying in full. Property as a residence strategy suits a narrow group.

Iqama holders and property

A non-Saudi who lives in the Kingdom on an Iqama follows the resident rules. According to law-firm summaries of the 2026 law, such a person may own one residential property outside the designated zones, but not in Makkah or Madinah. We could not read the conditions in the regulation itself, so ask a Saudi lawyer for the exact text. Inside the zones a resident buys on the same basis as a non-resident. Zones and the wider law are in the 2026 ownership law explained.

Taxes to expect

• Real estate transaction tax (RETT): 5% of the price or of fair market value, in force since 10 April 2025, paid through the tax authority's platform before the transfer is registered. Inheritance, endowments and transfers between spouses or relatives to the third degree are reported as exempt. The contract usually decides who pays, often the seller; check this (see ZATCA).
• VAT: the standard rate is 15%. The sale and lease of residential property is reported as exempt from VAT. Commercial property is treated differently, so ask an adviser.
• Disposal fee for non-Saudis: currently 2% in Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, with a statutory ceiling of 5%, according to law-firm summaries. Some call the rate not yet final.
• Rental income: a 5% withholding tax on gross rent for non-resident individuals is reported, but we could not confirm it from a primary source. Check with a tax adviser, and check how your home country taxes the income; a tax treaty may apply.
• White land tax: aimed at undeveloped land and, since 2025, vacant property. See Riyadh vs Jeddah.

Opening accounts

For non-residents, Legal500 says an individual buyer must hold a Saudi electronic ID from the Ministry of Interior, a bank account in the Kingdom in their own name and a Saudi mobile number. A secondary source reports that in July 2026 the central bank updated its account-opening rules so eligible overseas buyers can open an account for property purposes; we did not open the rulebook page. Residents with an Iqama use the ordinary resident procedure: valid Iqama, passport, and usually an employer letter and address details. Property payments are meant to go through electronic channels approved by the central bank.

For Polish- and Russian-speaking buyers

Prepare a valid passport, proof of address, a bank statement and documents proving the source of the funds, such as sale contracts or salary records. Ask the Saudi lawyer which of them need an apostille or certified translation. Banks, both Saudi and in your EU country, apply their own compliance policies and may ask questions about a large transfer. Answer fully and truthfully, and use only an account in your own name. We make no statement on the eligibility of any nationality; confirm with the bank and the lawyer. More on the purchase steps in the foreigner purchase guide. Keep copies of every document, receipt and payment confirmation, and ask the lawyer to explain each document in a language you understand before you sign it, since the official forms are in Arabic.

FAQ

Does buying a flat in Saudi Arabia give me residency? No. Ownership alone does not. A separate Premium Residency Real Estate Owner category exists, reportedly from SAR 4 million.

Can I use a mortgage for the Premium Residency threshold? Secondary sources say the property must be free of a mortgage. Confirm on the official portal.

Is there VAT on a residential purchase? Residential sales and leases are reported as VAT-exempt, but the 5% RETT applies. Ask your adviser about your case.

Can an Iqama holder buy outside the zones? According to law-firm summaries, one residential property, not in Makkah or Madinah. Conditions need confirmation.

Can I open a Saudi bank account without living there? The law requires one for property buyers, and the central bank reportedly updated its rules in July 2026. Ask the bank what it requires.

How we help

We are a trilingual platform in English, Russian and Polish. We find properties and coordinate independent local lawyers and tax advisers. You can browse listings and use the calculators. This text is informational and is not legal, tax or investment advice. Residence and tax rules change, so verify them with a Saudi lawyer and the official sources.