The Saudi Arabia real estate market is undergoing an unprecedented transformation in 2026. The Kingdom has launched the Saudi Green Card (lifetime permanent residency), a revolutionary status allowing foreigners to acquire real estate anywhere in the territory, without sponsor or kafala. For French-speaking investors seeking to diversify their portfolio or settle in the heart of the Gulf, this opportunity is a game-changer. Emirates Immo, a French-speaking real estate agency based in the UAE, assists you end-to-end to obtain this premium residency and invest in Saudi real estate. Get our exclusive investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia and discover how to acquire your first property in the Kingdom.
Why invest in Saudi Arabia real estate in 2026
Saudi Arabia is rolling out Vision 2030, a massive economic development plan aiming to reduce oil dependency. Mega-projects like NEOM, The Red Sea Project, Qiddiya and Diriyah Gate are attracting billions of dollars in foreign investment. Rental demand is exploding, driven by the arrival of hundreds of thousands of expats and the creation of millions of jobs in tech, tourism, finance and entertainment sectors. The Saudi government has removed historical restrictions: since 2019, foreigners can buy residential properties in designated zones. But the real breakthrough comes in 2024-2026 with permanent residency (Green Card), which opens the ENTIRE Saudi territory to foreign buyers, with no geographic limitation. You buy like a Saudi citizen, you manage like a citizen, you pass it on to your family. Prices remain accessible compared to Dubai or London, with estimated rental yields between 6 and 9 percent depending on cities (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Khobar). Saudi residential real estate taxation is competitive: no income tax on rental income for individuals, annual property tax of 2.5 percent on cadastral value. The Kingdom is investing massively in infrastructure (Riyadh metro, ports, airports, road network), rapidly increasing real estate asset values. Emirates Immo guides you to identify high-potential areas and secure your acquisition in compliance with legal procedures.
Saudi Arabia Green Card: key to real estate ownership
The Saudi permanent residency (nicknamed Green Card in reference to the American model) is the essential status to invest serenely in the Kingdom's real estate. Unlike classic employer-tied visas (kafala) or temporary residence permits, the Green Card grants you rights almost identical to those of Saudi citizens. You can own real estate anywhere in the country, residential or commercial, without geographic restriction. You need no Saudi sponsor, you manage your assets in full independence. The residency is granted for life, renewable free of charge, and covers your entire family: holder, spouse(s), children and even parents. The benefits go far beyond real estate: access to VIP lanes at airports (citizen tracks), ability to perform Hajj and Umrah under the same conditions as Saudis (entry permit to Mecca), visa-free entry to several countries (Bahrain, Egypt, Georgia, Oman, Tunisia, GCC countries), right to work and change employers freely, 100 percent sole proprietorship company creation, Saudi stock market investment. In case of holder's death, rights remain maintained for the family. Emirates Immo assists you to obtain this Green Card via the official investor route, 100 percent remote process, timeline approximately 4 to 5 months. The assistance starts from 120,000 EUR, payment terms to be agreed. Once residency is obtained, you invest in Saudi real estate legally, with a coherent wealth strategy. Contact us via WhatsApp for a personalized study of your file.
Where to buy in Saudi Arabia: priority cities and districts
Location choice determines your real estate investment success in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh, political and economic capital, concentrates the strongest rental demand. Al Olaya, King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Diplomatic Quarter and Al Narjis districts attract senior executives, diplomats and expats. Prices range from 3,000 to 6,000 SAR per sqm (800 to 1,600 EUR), with estimated rental yields of 6 to 8 percent. Riyadh metro, operational since 2024, rapidly increases values in connected areas. Jeddah, coastal city on the Red Sea, offers a more liberal and touristic lifestyle. Al Hamra, Al Shatea, Obhur and Tahlia districts concentrate Western expats and Gulf investors. Average price 4,000 SAR/sqm, yield 7-9 percent. Jeddah benefits from nearby Red Sea Project and NEOM development. Dammam and Al Khobar, in the Eastern Province, are oil-gas-industry hubs. Rental demand sustained by major company executives (Aramco, Sabic, SATORP). Corniche, Al Faisaliah, Ar Rakah districts. Prices 2,500-4,500 SAR/sqm, yield 6-8 percent. NEOM and The Red Sea Project: ultra-modern mega-projects that will create tens of thousands of housing units and attract a qualified international population. Real estate will be high-end, with first deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2030. Off-plan prices are starting to be communicated by designated developers. Emirates Immo closely monitors these developments and offers you privileged access to launches. Geographic diversification remains recommended: a Riyadh (rental stability) + Jeddah (tourism growth) + Eastern Province (industry) mix secures your portfolio. Our experts analyze areas according to your investor profile and yield objectives.
Steps for real estate purchase in Saudi Arabia as a foreigner
Acquiring a property in Saudi Arabia with Green Card follows a structured and secure process. Step 1: obtain permanent residency. Without it, you cannot buy freely. Emirates Immo assists you in preparing the investor file, administrative procedures and follow-up until card issuance (about 4-5 months). Step 2: open a Saudi bank account. Several local banks (Al Rajhi, SNB, Riyad Bank, BSF) accept permanent residents. The account is necessary for transfers and mortgage loans. Step 3: property search and selection. Emirates Immo presents you with pre-qualified opportunities according to your criteria (city, budget, property type, rental or capital gain objective). We verify property legality, absence of disputes, REGA compliance (Saudi housing authority) and seller history. Step 4: sale promise and due diligence. Signing of MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with deposit (5-10 percent), complete legal verification by local lawyer, technical inspection of property (if secondary). Step 5: financing. If you do not pay cash, some Saudi banks offer mortgage loans to permanent residents (variable rates according to profile, 20-30 percent down payment). Emirates Immo connects you with credit brokers. Step 6: final signature and registration. The final contract (Sale & Purchase Agreement) is signed at notary, balance of price transferred, then deed of ownership registered at Saudi Ministry of Justice. You receive the title deed in your name. Total timeline between promise and key: 30 to 60 days for secondary property, 6 to 24 months for off-plan. Step 7: rental management. If you wish to rent, we recommend local property management companies or via our partner network frenchyhost.com for high-end management. Emirates Immo remains your single point of contact, from permanent residency to key handover and beyond. Everything is done remotely or with a single trip for final signature, according to your preference.
Fees and taxation of real estate in Saudi Arabia
Saudi tax transparency is a major asset. Here are the real fees to anticipate when buying. Registration tax (transfer fee): 5 percent of sale price, buyer's charge, paid to Ministry of Justice when registering title. Notary and administrative fees: approximately 1 percent of price (verification, translation, legalization). VAT: 15 percent on new properties (off-plan or recently delivered), exemption for old secondary. Agency commission: 2 percent of price on secondary market, generally paid by seller. On new (developers), commission is paid by developer, not by buyer. Annual property tax: 2.5 percent of cadastral value (official property value, often lower than market price), paid each year. Rental income tax: 0 percent for individual permanent residents (total exemption). Real estate capital gain: not taxed for individuals. If you resell with profit, no tax to pay in Saudi Arabia. Caution: if you are a French tax resident, you remain taxable in France on your worldwide income (France-Saudi Arabia tax treaty: a tax credit may apply). Consult a Franco-Saudi tax expert before investing. Succession: as a permanent resident, you can freely designate your heirs according to your country of origin's law (international will recognized). Saudi sharia law applies by default to citizens, but permanent residency allows opting for a foreign succession regime. Home insurance: approximately 0.3-0.5 percent of property value per year (strongly recommended). Concrete example: for an apartment in Riyadh bought 1,000,000 SAR (approximately 250,000 EUR), you pay 50,000 SAR registration tax (5 percent), 10,000 SAR administrative fees, 150,000 SAR VAT if new (15 percent), total approximately 210,000 SAR acquisition fees (21 percent of price excluding VAT). Then, annual property tax approximately 15,000 SAR (if cadastral value 600,000 SAR x 2.5 percent). Estimated gross rental income 70,000 SAR/year (7 percent yield), condominium charges 10,000 SAR, net 60,000 SAR, 0 percent local tax. Net yield approximately 6 percent after property tax. These figures are indicative, each situation varies according to property and city. Emirates Immo provides you with a detailed financial simulation before any commitment.
Emirates Immo: your French-speaking partner for Saudi Arabia
Why choose our team for your Saudi Arabia real estate project? Because we master the entire chain: obtaining Green Card permanent residency (reliable process via official investor route, complete assistance), property selection (direct access to developers and best secondary market opportunities), legal due diligence (full verification by partner local lawyers), financing (connection with Saudi banks and brokers), post-purchase management (rental, maintenance, resale). We speak French, we understand French-speaking investors' expectations and constraints, and we help you avoid local market traps. Our advisors are based in the UAE, in immediate proximity to Saudi Arabia, with an extensive network throughout the Kingdom. We work with the best Saudi developers (Dar Al Arkan, Jabal Omar, Emaar The Economic City, Roshn) and we also present you with verified individual properties. Our mission: save you time, money and security. Saudi real estate is still unknown to the French, but it represents a unique opportunity for wealth diversification in a rapidly expanding economy. Lifetime permanent residency changes everything: you are no longer a foreigner subject to restrictions, you are a permanent resident with the same rights as a citizen for real estate ownership. This legislative revolution opens a market of 35 million inhabitants and 2 million km2. Register to receive our exclusive Saudi Arabia brochures and benefit from personalized assistance. The market is taking off, the first entrants capture the best deals. Do not remain a spectator of this historic transformation.
Useful links and related projects
To complete your Gulf wealth strategy, discover our other services and content. New projects in UAE: if you wish to diversify between Saudi Arabia and UAE, check our off-plan project catalog in Dubai and Sharjah, with staggered payment plans and competitive yields. Our flagship Arada projects in Sharjah (Aljada and Masaar) offer estimated yields of 8-9 percent with accessible prices. Golden Visa UAE: for UAE residency, the 10-year investor visa is accessible from 2M AED real estate investment (approximately 500,000 EUR). Combine UAE residency and Saudi investments for an optimal Gulf strategy. Dubai districts: explore our Dubai district guides to identify high-potential areas (Dubai Marina, JVC, Business Bay, Dubai Hills). Group ecosystem: discover dubai-small.com for lifestyle, car rental, yacht, business setup and investor visa in UAE, or larchedeghost.com to join our French-speaking community and access a long-term Gulf vision. Emirates Immo is part of a complete assistance ecosystem for French speakers in the Middle East. Whether you target Riyadh, Dubai or Abu Dhabi, we have the solution. The time has come to act: the 2026 Saudi real estate market offers exceptional conditions, permanent residency eliminates historical barriers, and prices remain attractive before inevitable acceleration. Contact our experts today via WhatsApp at +33 6 52 19 15 47 and take the first step towards your Saudi assets.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy real estate in Saudi Arabia as a foreigner in 2026?
Yes, provided you obtain Saudi permanent residency (Green Card). This status grants you the same rights as a Saudi citizen for real estate ownership, anywhere in the Kingdom, without sponsor or kafala. Emirates Immo assists you to obtain this residency via the official investor route, 100 percent remote process in 4 to 5 months.
What are the real fees when buying a property in Saudi Arabia?
You pay 5 percent registration tax to the Ministry of Justice, approximately 1 percent administrative and notary fees, 15 percent VAT if the property is new (exemption on old secondary), and 2 percent agency commission on the secondary market (generally paid by the seller). Then, annual property tax of 2.5 percent on cadastral value. No income tax on rental income or capital gain for individuals.
What are the estimated rental yields in Saudi Arabia?
Rental yields vary by city: Riyadh 6-8 percent, Jeddah 7-9 percent, Dammam/Khobar 6-8 percent. These figures are indicative and depend on district, property type and management. Emirates Immo provides you with a detailed financial simulation for each project. Rental demand is sustained by Vision 2030 and massive expat arrivals.
How much does Emirates Immo assistance cost to obtain the Saudi Green Card?
Assistance to obtain Saudi permanent residency (Green Card) via the official investor route starts from 120,000 EUR, payment terms to be agreed. This rate covers file preparation, administrative procedures and follow-up until card issuance (timeline approximately 4 to 5 months). Contact us for a personalized study.
What are the benefits of Saudi permanent residency beyond real estate?
The Saudi Green Card gives you access to VIP airport lanes (citizen tracks), ability to perform Hajj and Umrah under the same conditions as Saudis (entry permit to Mecca), visa-free entry to several countries (Bahrain, Egypt, Georgia, Oman, Tunisia, GCC), right to work and change employers freely, 100 percent company creation, Saudi stock market investment. Residency covers the entire family (holder, spouse(s), children, parents) and is renewable free of charge for life.
Where to buy as a priority in Saudi Arabia in 2026?
Riyadh (economic capital, Al Olaya, KAFD, Diplomatic Quarter districts) for rental stability 6-8 percent. Jeddah (Red Sea, Al Hamra, Tahlia) for tourism and lifestyle 7-9 percent. Dammam/Khobar (Eastern Province, Aramco) for industry 6-8 percent. NEOM and The Red Sea Project for ultra-high-end and long-term growth. Emirates Immo guides you according to your investor profile.
Can I get a mortgage in Saudi Arabia as a foreigner?
Yes, once permanent residency is obtained, several Saudi banks (Al Rajhi, SNB, Riyad Bank, BSF) offer mortgage loans to permanent residents. Variable rates according to profile, typical down payment 20-30 percent. Emirates Immo connects you with local credit brokers to optimize your financing. Conditions less advantageous than Saudi citizens, but accessible.
