Foreign Property Ownership Map in Saudi Arabia 2026: How to Know Eligible Areas via Saudi Properties Portal

In a long-awaited step, the regulatory framework for property ownership by non-Saudis has been completed with the adoption of the executive regulations and the geographical zones document, making it available through the official "Saudi Properties" portal of the Real Estate General Authority (REGA). The foreign investor is no longer forced to guess; they can now access an interactive map, determine the location, and know whether the area is available for ownership or not, before entering into any commitment.

In this guide, we review how to use the map, the ownership rules for each category, and the special status of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, based on the official system.

What is the Geographical Zones Map?

"Geographical zones" are the areas officially designated in which non-Saudis are allowed to own or acquire real rights to real estate. These zones have been compiled in an official document displayed via the "Saudi Properties" portal, which offers interested parties an integrated procedural journey and showcases the approved zones with interactive maps.

The document includes approximately 170 geographical zones distributed across Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, and other cities and governorates of the Kingdom. For each zone, precise details include:

• The maximum allowed ownership percentages within the zone.
• The types of real rights that may be acquired (full ownership or usufruct right).
• The maximum allowed periods to acquire the usufruct right.
• The regulations associated with ownership in each region.

How to Verify the Status of the Zone Before Purchasing?

The first step before any purchasing procedure is to verify the status of the location on the official map:

1. Access the geographical zones portal via the Saudi Properties platform: saudiproperties.rega.gov.sa/zones.
2. Search for the desired location or neighborhood on the interactive map.
3. View the ownership status in the area (available / not available).
4. Review the type of permitted right, percentages, and durations associated with the zone.

This transparency helps the investor make an informed decision before entering into ownership transfer procedures or signing any contract.

Individual Categories and Ownership Rules

The system distinguishes between four categories of non-Saudi individuals, and their rights differ depending on whether the property's location is inside or outside the geographical zone:

Important Clarification: The right of a legal resident to own one property designated for housing outside the geographical zone does not apply to Makkah and Madinah, as they are subject to special rules that we will explain below.

The Special Status of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah

The two holy cities enjoy a special regulatory framework that balances opening the door to investment with preserving the privacy of the Two Holy Mosques:

The Condition of Islam

The system explicitly states that the right to own or acquire real rights in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah is restricted to Muslim natural persons. This condition is fundamental, and there is no exception to it for individuals.

The Four Categories Within the Geographical Zone

Within the approved zones in Makkah and Madinah, the four categories can own property provided they are Muslim, as follows:

• GCC Citizen: Owns directly with the GCC ID card.
• Premium Residency Holder: Owns with their Premium Residency.
• Legal Resident: Owns with their ordinary residency.
• Non-resident: A digital ID must be issued through Saudi missions and embassies abroad (or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) to complete the application through the portal.

Outside the Geographical Zone in Makkah and Madinah

Outside the approved zones in the two cities, the right is restricted to the Premium Residency holder only (whether GCC or non-GCC), via a usufruct right for a period not exceeding 99 years, by an official deed issued by the Notary Public and capable of being disposed of and transferred to others according to the regulations. As for GCC citizens, legal residents, and non-residents, they cannot own property outside the zone in the two cities.

Examples of Available Zones

According to the document, several areas have been included within the available zones in the two holy cities, including, for example:

• In Makkah Al-Mukarramah: Makkah Towers, Al-Manar, Ajyad Tower, King Salman Gate, Tilal Village, Jabal Omar, Thakher Makkah, Sumou District, Masar, and Makkah 1 and 2 zones.
• In Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah: Al-Ghurrah, Madinah 1 and 2, Al-Mahwa, Dar Al-Hajra, Madinah Downtown, Diyar Al-Maqar, Rua Al Madinah, Knowledge Economic City, and Mushraf.

In addition to extensive zones in Riyadh, such as the investment expansion neighborhoods north of the city, Jeddah, and the remaining regions.

How to Submit an Ownership Application?

The application channel varies according to the applicant's status:

1. Residents inside the Kingdom: Applying directly through the portal using the residency number, with automated verification of fulfillment of requirements.
2. Non-residents: Applying through Saudi missions and embassies abroad to issue the digital ID first, in preparation for completing the application via the portal.
3. Non-Saudi companies and entities with no presence in the Kingdom: Registering first with the Ministry of Investment via the "Invest Saudi" platform and issuing the unified number (700), before completing the procedures electronically.

Note: The digital ID issuance service for non-residents may not be activated at the time of reading this article; it is advised to follow the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Real Estate General Authority to know the official activation date.

Prohibited Zones for Everyone

In addition to the controls above, the system prohibits ownership for non-Saudis in:

• Border areas of the Kingdom.
• Military sites and vital security facilities.
• Militarily prohibited sites determined by the state due to national security considerations.

These sites are updated in the Real Estate Registry platform, and any application within them is automatically rejected via the eligibility inquiry service.

What Does This Mean for the Investor?

The issuance of the geographical zones map represents a leap in the transparency of the Saudi real estate market, as it:

1. Reduces legal risks through prior verification of the location's status.
2. Opens qualitative opportunities in areas that were not previously available, even in the two holy cities within the approved zones.
3. Enhances the attractiveness of Premium Residency boing the widest key to ownership and usufruct rights.
4. Supports the objectives of Vision 2030 in attracting foreign direct investment.

Read Also at Skyline Holding

• Steps and Conditions for Foreign Property Ownership in Saudi Arabia
• PIF Strategy 2026-2030 and Future of Saudi Real Estate
• Riyadh Rent Freeze: What Does It Mean for the Real Estate Investor in 2026?
• The Role of PropTech in Facilitating Real Estate Investment in Saudi Arabia

Conclusion

The system for property ownership by non-Saudis and the geographical zones map put an end to much of the ambiguity that accompanied foreign ownership in the Kingdom. The golden rule today: always start from the official map, verify your category and the area's status, and pay attention to the special status of Makkah and Madinah (the condition of Islam inside the zone, and the usufruct right for Premium Residency holders outside it). With this clarity, the investment decision becomes safer and more confident.