Diriyah — Real Estate Investment for Foreigners (2026)

Diriyah is Saudi Arabia's most active giga-project with $4B+ in residential sales already transacted. UNESCO World Heritage Site turned luxury destination — targeting 2027 completion.

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 Is Diriyah?

Diriyah is the birthplace of the Saudi state and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 15km northwest of central Riyadh. The Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) is transforming it into a global luxury cultural destination — the most historically significant and the most commercially advanced of Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects.

Why Diriyah Stands Apart From Other Giga-Projects

Unlike NEOM (heavily scaled back) or Qiddiya (mainly entertainment, limited residential), Diriyah has actual traction:

Metric	Figure
Total budget	$63–64 billion
Amount spent to date	$15+ billion
Contracts awarded since 2024	$27+ billion
Residential real estate sold	$4+ billion
Visitors to date (Bujairi Terrace + At Turaif)	3.6 million
Targeted completion	2027
Foreign investor share (target)	50% of total budget

Sources: Diriyah Gate Development Authority CEO statements, AGBI, Skift, Archpaper (2024–2026)

What Is Open Now

Bujairi Terrace — a dining, retail, and hospitality zone — is operational and has attracted millions of visitors. Restaurants from international and Saudi brands are trading.

At Turaif — the UNESCO mud-brick heritage district — is open for visitors. This is the historical centrepiece of the development.

Construction of the broader hotel, residential, and cultural venue complex is ongoing through 2027.

Foreign Ownership

Diriyah operates under the DGDA special zone framework:

Title: Foreign freehold ownership available within the zone
Buyers: Open to all nationalities
January 2026 law: Further clarified that foreign individuals and companies can own within designated zones — Diriyah qualifies

The DGDA CEO explicitly stated that half the $64B development cost is expected from foreign investors. Multiple international investors — Italian, Emirati, Kuwaiti, Colombian — have already committed to hospitality and residential projects.

Investment Considerations

Strengths:

Most de-risked of the Saudi giga-projects — real money has been spent, real visitors are arriving
UNESCO heritage branding — a genuine global draw with no comparable competitor in the region
Close to Riyadh — benefits from the city’s economic gravity, not dependent on building a new city from scratch
International hotel brands committing (multiple properties under development)

Risks:

Luxury positioning means high entry prices — this is not an affordable housing play
Full 2027 timeline is ambitious; delays are possible given the scale
Branded residences are tied to hospitality operators — understand the management structure before buying

How to Enquire

Contact the Diriyah Gate Development Authority investment team at dgda.gov.sa. Unlike NEOM, there is an active sales team and inventory exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners buy property in Diriyah? +

Yes. Diriyah operates under the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) special zone, which permits foreign ownership. Over $4 billion in residential real estate has already been sold. The DGDA CEO confirmed that at least half of the $64B total budget is expected to come from foreign investors. Contact DGDA directly for current availability.

Is Diriyah actually open? +

Partially open and one of the most advanced of the Saudi giga-projects. Bujairi Terrace (restaurants and dining) and At Turaif (the UNESCO heritage district) have attracted 3.6 million visitors as of 2025. Construction of hotels, residences, and cultural venues is ongoing, with full completion targeted for 2027.

How far is Diriyah from Riyadh city centre? +

Diriyah is 15km northwest of central Riyadh — about 20 minutes by car. It is significantly more accessible than other giga-projects, which are hundreds of kilometres from major cities.

What types of property are available in Diriyah? +

Luxury branded residences, villa plots, and hospitality-linked residences. The development includes multiple international hotel brands. Specific availability changes — contact DGDA's investment team for current inventory.

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