Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved a digital identification system allowing non-Saudi, non-resident foreigners to purchase property in the Kingdom, according to Gulf News.
The Cabinet also approved a governance framework for non-Saudi property ownership and usufruct rights, based on recommendations from the Strategic Committee of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs. Part of this framework includes establishing a dedicated committee within the authority’s board to oversee the sector.
Moreover, the General Real Estate Authority, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, the National Information Centre and other relevant agencies, will have the authority to develop mechanisms for implementing the digital ID in preparation for the rollout of the Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership Law.
The new ownership law, approved in last July, is set take effect in January 2026.
In August, the authority released draft executive regulations stipulating that non-resident foreigners must meet the following requirements in order to acquire or utilize property in the Kingdom:
- Obtaining and activating a digital ID via the government’s Absher platform
- Opening a Saudi bank account
- Registering a local contact number
By streamlining transactions and boosting regulatory oversight, the new measure will attract more foreign investment into Saudi Arabia’s evolving real estate market.
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