Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Saudi Arabia Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Saudi Arabia Property Pack
Saudi Arabia has opened new doors for foreigners who want to own residential property, with an updated ownership law rolling out in early 2026 and a clear residency pathway tied to real estate investment.
This guide explains exactly how buying a home in Saudi Arabia can help you get long-term residency, what the requirements are, and whether it can ever lead to citizenship.
We constantly update this blog post as new regulations and zone designations are published by Saudi authorities.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Saudi Arabia.
Insights
- The minimum property value to qualify for Saudi Arabia's Real Estate Owner Residency is SAR 4 million (approximately USD 1.07 million or EUR 980,000), which is one of the highest thresholds among countries offering property-linked residency.
- Unlike most Golden Visa programs, Saudi Arabia's property-based residency requires the home to be completely mortgage-free at the time of application, meaning you cannot finance the purchase through a bank loan.
- Saudi Arabia does not offer citizenship through property investment, and naturalization remains highly discretionary even after decades of legal residency in the Kingdom.
- The updated 2025 foreign ownership law allows non-Saudis to buy property in more areas, but Makkah and Madinah remain strictly off-limits for foreign ownership under any circumstances.
- Premium Residency holders in Saudi Arabia can exit and re-enter the country freely without needing to apply for exit or re-entry visas, a significant advantage over standard work visa holders.
- The Real Estate Owner Residency is tied to continuous ownership, meaning if you sell your qualifying property without replacing it, your residency status can be terminated.
- Saudi Arabia's Real Estate Price Index showed only 1.3% inflation in Q3 2025, suggesting that property prices in major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah have remained relatively stable for foreign buyers entering the market.
- Foreign buyers should verify property titles through REGA's official Title Deed Verification service before completing any purchase, as this is where non-professionals most commonly encounter problems.
- Family members including spouses and children can work in Saudi Arabia's private sector under the Premium Residency, which is unusual compared to many other investor visa programs worldwide.
Can buying property help me get permanent residency in Saudi Arabia?
Does buying a property qualify or at least help for residency in Saudi Arabia?
As of early 2026, buying a qualifying residential property in Saudi Arabia can directly qualify you for the government's Premium Residency program through the "Real Estate Owner Residency" product.
The minimum property investment required is SAR 4 million (approximately USD 1.07 million or EUR 980,000), and the property must be residential and completely mortgage-free.
Beyond the property value, you must also meet standard eligibility criteria such as having a valid passport and passing security checks conducted by Saudi authorities.
If your property is below the SAR 4 million threshold, ownership alone does not create a residency right, but it can still serve as supporting evidence for other visa categories by demonstrating financial ties and commitment to Saudi Arabia.
Is there any residency visa directly linked to property ownership in Saudi Arabia right now?
Yes, Saudi Arabia currently offers the Real Estate Owner Residency, which is one of several products under the Premium Residency program administered by the Saudi Premium Residency Center (SAPRC).
Buying a primary residence (your main home) qualifies for this property-linked residency in Saudi Arabia, provided the home is residential, worth at least SAR 4 million, and not mortgaged.
Buying a rental or investment property also qualifies for this residency in Saudi Arabia, as long as it meets the same requirements since the program focuses on ownership value rather than whether you personally live in the property.
What exactly do I get with a property-based residency in Saudi Arabia?
Is this residency temporary or permanent in Saudi Arabia right now?
The Real Estate Owner Residency in Saudi Arabia is best described as long-term residency that remains valid as long as you continue to own the qualifying property.
The official name is "Real Estate Owner Residency" and it falls under the broader Premium Residency program, which is a distinct legal status from a standard work visa (iqama).
The key legal distinction in Saudi Arabia is that Premium Residency holders are not tied to an employer sponsor, giving them independence that temporary work visa holders do not have.
This condition-based structure means you enjoy the same rights and benefits continuously, including work authorization and travel freedom, without worrying about fixed expiration dates as long as you maintain ownership.
How long is the initial residency permit valid in Saudi Arabia in 2026?
As of early 2026, the Real Estate Owner Residency in Saudi Arabia is tied to maintaining your qualifying property ownership rather than having a fixed expiration date like a traditional visa.
This structure has remained consistent since the Premium Residency program launched, with no major changes to validity periods in recent years.
The validity effectively begins when your application is approved and your residency status is confirmed by the Saudi Premium Residency Center.
Since this residency is condition-based rather than time-limited, there is no standard renewal deadline, but you should ensure your property documentation remains current and verifiable at all times.
How many times can I renew residency in Saudi Arabia?
The Real Estate Owner Residency in Saudi Arabia can be maintained indefinitely, as long as you continue to own qualifying residential property worth at least SAR 4 million.
Since this is a condition-based residency rather than a fixed-term permit, there is no typical renewal period in the traditional sense.
The conditions do not become stricter over time; what matters is that you consistently meet the original requirements of property value, residential use, and mortgage-free ownership.
The most common reason someone would lose this residency is selling the qualifying property without replacing it with another eligible property, which would end your eligibility.
Can I live and work freely with this residency in Saudi Arabia?
With the Real Estate Owner Residency in Saudi Arabia, you can live in the Kingdom and work in the private sector without needing a separate employer sponsor.
This residency allows both employment with private companies and self-employment or business ownership, giving you significant flexibility in how you earn income.
Some professions in Saudi Arabia are restricted to Saudi nationals (such as certain government and security roles), but most private sector jobs are accessible to Premium Residency holders.
You do not need an additional work permit on top of your Premium Residency, as the status itself grants work authorization in the private sector for both you and your immediate family members.
Can I travel in and out easily with residency in Saudi Arabia?
Premium Residency holders in Saudi Arabia enjoy full travel freedom, meaning you can leave and re-enter the country without needing to apply for exit or re-entry visas.
There is no officially published maximum time you can spend outside Saudi Arabia before your residency status is affected, though maintaining ties to the Kingdom (like your property) is essential.
This Saudi residency does not grant automatic visa-free access to other countries, as travel privileges abroad depend on your passport nationality and each destination country's rules.
When re-entering Saudi Arabia after travel abroad, you should carry your Premium Residency card and a valid passport to ensure smooth processing at immigration.
Does this residency lead to permanent residency in Saudi Arabia eventually?
The Real Estate Owner Residency already functions as a form of long-term residency in Saudi Arabia, valid as long as you maintain qualifying property ownership, but it does not automatically convert to citizenship.
There is no fixed number of years of Premium Residency that automatically qualifies you for a different permanent status or citizenship.
To pursue Saudi citizenship (naturalization), you would need to go through a completely separate, highly discretionary process administered by the Ministry of Interior, which has its own requirements beyond property ownership.
Obtaining citizenship would eventually remove the requirement to maintain property ownership for residency purposes, but reaching that point is neither guaranteed nor straightforward in Saudi Arabia.
What conditions must I keep to maintain residency in Saudi Arabia?
Do I need to keep the property to keep residency in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, you must maintain ownership of qualifying residential property worth at least SAR 4 million to keep your Real Estate Owner Residency in Saudi Arabia.
If you sell the property before replacing it with another qualifying property, you should assume your residency eligibility will end.
The program does allow you to replace the original property with another qualifying residential property without losing residency, as long as the new property meets all the same requirements.
Saudi authorities verify ongoing property ownership through official deed and registry records, and you may be asked to provide updated documentation during any compliance checks.
Is there a minimum stay requirement per year in Saudi Arabia?
The Real Estate Owner Residency in Saudi Arabia does not prominently feature a specific minimum number of days per year that you must spend in the country.
Saudi immigration rules can evolve, so this requirement may be monitored or enforced differently over time, and you should verify current rules when applying or renewing.
If a minimum stay requirement exists and is not met, you could face questions about your residency status during compliance reviews, though enforcement details are not widely published.
If you eventually pursue citizenship in Saudi Arabia, you should expect much stricter physical presence requirements, as naturalization typically requires substantial continuous residence.
Can I rent out the property and keep residency in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, you can generally rent out your qualifying property in Saudi Arabia and keep your Real Estate Owner Residency, since the program requires ownership rather than personal occupancy.
There are no official restrictions distinguishing between short-term and long-term rentals for residency purposes, but you must comply with local rental licensing and municipal regulations.
Rental income from the property does not affect your residency status, though you will need to comply with any applicable Saudi tax obligations on that income.
You should register any rental activity with the appropriate local authorities to ensure full compliance with Saudi Arabia's property and business regulations.
Can residency be revoked after approval in Saudi Arabia right now?
Yes, the Real Estate Owner Residency in Saudi Arabia can be revoked if you stop meeting the qualifying conditions, such as selling your property or facing serious legal issues.
The official process for revocation would be handled by the Saudi Premium Residency Center and relevant immigration authorities, typically involving notification and documentation review.
Residents generally have the right to respond to compliance concerns, though the specifics of any appeal process depend on the nature of the issue and Saudi administrative procedures.
If revocation is initiated, you should expect a grace period to either rectify the issue (such as acquiring a new qualifying property) or to arrange your departure from Saudi Arabia.
Can real estate investment lead to citizenship in Saudi Arabia?
Can property investment directly lead to citizenship in Saudi Arabia?
No, there is no direct citizenship-by-investment or citizenship-by-real-estate program in Saudi Arabia, meaning property ownership alone cannot make you a Saudi citizen regardless of the investment amount.
A higher property investment does not accelerate citizenship in Saudi Arabia because citizenship decisions are entirely discretionary and governed by the Ministry of Interior, not linked to investment thresholds.
The typical pathway for foreigners is to hold Premium Residency for many years and then apply for naturalization, but there is no guaranteed timeline because Saudi citizenship is granted on a case-by-case basis.
The key difference is that citizenship-by-investment programs in other countries offer a direct transactional path, while Saudi Arabia requires long-term residency, integration, and a discretionary approval process for naturalization.
Is citizenship automatic after long-term residency in Saudi Arabia?
No, citizenship is not automatic in Saudi Arabia even after many years of legal residency, as naturalization requires a separate application and is granted at the discretion of the Ministry of Interior.
There is no publicly specified number of years of residency that guarantees citizenship eligibility, though substantial continuous residence in Saudi Arabia is expected for any naturalization consideration.
Saudi Arabia does not have formal language or civic knowledge tests for citizenship like some Western countries, but authorities assess the applicant's integration, conduct, and contribution to Saudi society.
Processing times for citizenship applications are not standardized and can take years, with outcomes being unpredictable since the entire process is highly discretionary.
What are the real requirements to become a citizen in Saudi Arabia?
Do I need physical presence for citizenship in Saudi Arabia right now?
Yes, Saudi Arabia requires substantial physical presence in the Kingdom for naturalization, though there is no simple "X days per year" rule published like in some other countries.
The physical presence requirement is assessed holistically based on your residence history rather than using a strict rolling year or calendar year calculation.
Authorities verify physical presence through immigration records, residency status history, and other documentation when processing citizenship applications.
There are no widely published exemptions to the physical presence requirement, and all applicants should expect to demonstrate long-term, continuous residence in Saudi Arabia.
Can my spouse and kids get citizenship too in Saudi Arabia in 2026?
As of early 2026, family members such as spouses and children do not automatically receive Saudi citizenship when the main applicant is naturalized, as each case is assessed individually.
Family members typically must wait and apply based on their own eligibility or through sponsorship by the newly naturalized Saudi citizen, rather than applying together as a family unit.
There is no publicly specified maximum age for children to be included as dependents, as these matters are handled on a case-by-case basis by the Ministry of Interior.
Spouses may face additional scrutiny including marriage duration verification, and the Saudi Nationality System notes that status granted to a naturalized person can impact dependents if that status is later withdrawn.
What are the most common reasons citizenship is denied in Saudi Arabia?
The most common reason citizenship applications are denied in Saudi Arabia is failing to meet the substantial, continuous residence expectation or having gaps in lawful status.
Two other frequently cited reasons for citizenship denial in Saudi Arabia are criminal history (especially convictions above certain thresholds) and any security concerns flagged by government agencies.
Applicants who are denied can generally reapply after addressing the issues, but there is no standard waiting period, and the process remains discretionary.
The single most effective step to avoid citizenship denial in Saudi Arabia is maintaining a flawless legal record and ensuring all immigration and residency documentation is accurate and complete throughout your time in the Kingdom.