Property in Medina for Foreigners — 2026 Law & Zones

Muslim foreigners can now buy property in Medina — 10 designated zones opened January 2026. Non-Muslims still prohibited. Official zone list, KEC guide, and verification steps.

Non-Resident · Key points for your situation

› Power of attorney required if you can't attend the notary in person

› Saudi bank mortgages not available to non-residents — plan for a cash purchase

› Verify the property is within a REGA-designated zone before proceeding

› Budget 7–10% above the purchase price for total transaction costs

Iqama Holder · Key points for your situation

› Your Iqama is accepted across all government systems — Absher, REGA, Ministry of Justice

› Attend the notary in person — no power of attorney needed

› Mortgage may be available from select Saudi banks — typically up to 70% LTV

› Ensure your Iqama has at least 12 months validity before starting

What Changed in January 2026

On January 21, 2026, Saudi Arabia’s Law of Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis came into effect. For Medina specifically:

Before: Foreign ownership in Medina was effectively impossible for non-Saudi nationals.

After: Muslim foreigners can now purchase property within REGA-designated zones. 10 zones are officially listed as of June 2026. The restriction on non-Muslims remains unchanged.

The Two Rules That Never Change

Non-Muslims cannot own property in Medina — in any zone, under any circumstances
Iqama holders cannot buy outside designated zones in Medina — unlike other Saudi cities

If you are non-Muslim, the nearest open city is Yanbu → (220km) or Jeddah → (420km).

Who Can Buy

Buyer Type	Eligible?
Muslim foreigner (non-resident)	✅ Yes — designated zones only
Muslim Iqama holder	✅ Yes — designated zones only
Non-Muslim foreigner (any)	❌ No

The 10 Official Designated Zones in Medina

Published by REGA on June 23, 2026 at saudiproperties.rega.gov.sa/zones:

Zone
Al-Ghurrah
Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah – Zone (1)
Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah – Zone (2)
Al-Mahwa
Dar Al Hijrah
Diyar Al-Muqarr
Downtown Madinah
Knowledge Economic City (KEC)
Mishraf
Rua Al Madinah

Verify Before You Pay Anything

Browse Medina zones: saudiproperties.rega.gov.sa/zones → “Geographic zones of Al Madinah Al Munawwarah”
Verify a specific deed: aqar.rega.gov.sa — enter the Property Deed Number; Green = approved, Grey = blocked

If a developer refuses to provide the Property Deed Number, stop. All payments must go through the Wafi escrow system on the portal.

How to Get Your Absher Digital ID Remotely

Required to use the Saudi Properties portal:

Retrieve your Border Number at absher.sa (using your visa number from a past visit)
Register on absher.sa with your Border Number and a Saudi mobile number
Get a Saudi eSIM from Mobily or STC to receive OTP codes
Book biometric activation at your nearest Saudi Embassy

Full Absher guide →

Nearest Open Cities for Non-Muslim Buyers

City	Distance
Yanbu →	220km
Jeddah →	420km

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners buy property in Medina after the 2026 law? +

Yes — but only Muslim foreigners, and only within government-designated zones. The Law of Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis (effective January 21, 2026) opened 10 specific zones in Medina to foreign ownership. Non-Muslims remain prohibited from owning property in Medina regardless of zone.

Can non-Muslims buy property in Medina? +

No. Non-Muslims cannot own property in Medina regardless of the 2026 law changes. This applies to all of Medina including all designated zones.

How do I verify a property in Medina is in a designated zone? +

Browse the 10 Medina zones at saudiproperties.rega.gov.sa/zones, then verify the specific Property Deed Number at aqar.rega.gov.sa. Never send money to a developer before completing this check.

Do I need to visit Saudi Arabia to buy property in Medina? +

No. You can verify properties and complete the transaction through the Saudi Properties portal remotely. You do need an Absher Digital ID, which requires biometric activation at a Saudi embassy.

Stay ahead of the law

Get notified when the law changes

We monitor REGA announcements so you don't have to. No spam — only real updates.

Join the community discussion → Ask questions, share experiences, and connect with other investors in our Telegram group or browse r/saudiarabia.