S
audi Arabia will open its real‑estate market to non‑citizens in January, Bloomberg reports. The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) says foreigners can buy residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural land. In Mecca and Medina only Muslim buyers may own property; ownership limits in Riyadh, Jeddah and other major cities are under review, likely capped at 70‑90 % non‑Saudi. REGA’s executive director Fahad Bin Sulaiman says the aim is to fully liberalise the market and attract foreign investment. The agency has launched the Saudi Properties portal to streamline transactions; property listings and zone data will be added soon. In July the Cabinet approved a law allowing individuals, companies, NGOs and investment funds to hold real‑property rights in designated zones. Foreign buyers must register with authorities and be entered into the national registry before ownership is recognised. A transfer fee of up to 5 % will apply to foreign‑owned transactions. Rules are still being finalised but are close to approval.