Knowledge Economic City (KEC) Medina — Foreign Buyer Guide 2026

KEC is the most established designated zone in Medina for Muslim foreign property ownership. Guide to eligibility, legal status, and how to verify and buy.

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 Knowledge Economic City?

Knowledge Economic City (KEC) is a master-planned gated community in Medina, developed as a national flagship project combining residential, commercial, hospitality, and educational zones. It is the most established designated zone for foreign property ownership in Medina.

Key Facts

Detail	Info
Location	5km from Masjid Al-Nabawi
Transport	BRT shuttle to Haram + Haramain High-Speed Rail station
Developer	KEC Development Company
Legal status	Designated zone under 2026 Foreign Ownership Law
Escrow	Government-regulated Wafi account

Who Can Buy

KEC is open to Muslim foreigners only — both residents and non-residents. The broader Medina restriction on non-Muslim ownership applies to all zones including KEC.

Buyer	Eligible?
Muslim non-resident (foreign passport)	✅ Yes
Muslim Iqama holder	✅ Yes
Non-Muslim (any nationality)	❌ No

Verify Before You Pay

Confirm the specific unit is in an approved zone before committing any money:

Browse KEC on the zone map: saudiproperties.rega.gov.sa/zones → “Geographic zones of Al Madinah Al Munawwarah”
Get the Property Deed Number from the developer — if they refuse, walk away
Verify the deed at aqar.rega.gov.sa — Green = approved, Grey = blocked
All payments must go into the Wafi escrow account — never pay outside the portal

How to Buy

Get your Absher Digital ID — guide →
Submit KYC (passport copy) to KEC
Verify the unit on aqar.rega.gov.sa
Pay the booking deposit into the Wafi escrow account

For prices, payment plans, and taxes — contact KEC directly. REGA has not published official pricing or fee structures yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners buy property in Knowledge Economic City Medina? +

Yes. KEC is a designated zone under the January 21, 2026 Law of Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis. Ownership is restricted to Muslim buyers only — Medina's holy city restriction applies to all zones including KEC.

How far is KEC from the Prophet's Mosque? +

KEC is located 5km from Masjid Al-Nabawi. It is connected to the Haramain High-Speed Rail station via a dedicated Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) shuttle.

Is KEC freehold or leasehold? +

Confirm the current legal structure directly with KEC before signing.

Is my deposit protected if I book at KEC? +

All payments must go through a Wafi escrow account regulated by the Saudi government. Funds are only released to the developer as construction milestones are verified. Always confirm escrow details on the Saudi Properties portal before paying.

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