Where to Buy in Saudi Arabia: The Key Destinations UK Buyers Should Watch for 2026

October 6, 2025

Published: October 2025

With Saudi Arabia’s new property law for foreign non-resident buyers set to take effect in January 2026, attention is now turning to where these new opportunities are likely to be found. While the Implementing Regulations will officially confirm the designated foreign ownership zones later this year, several major destinations are almost certain to be included in the first wave.

For UK buyers, understanding these locations now — their characteristics, lifestyle offerings, and investment potential — provides a strategic head start ahead of the market opening.

Below, we explore the key Saudi destinations to watch, including Makkah and Madinah for Muslim buyers, and explain why each could become a focal point for international property investment.

Riyadh – The Capital’s Urban Transformation

Riyadh, the Kingdom’s capital and largest city, is widely expected to be the centrepiece of the foreign ownership rollout. As the political, economic, and business heart of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is undergoing a profound transformation under Vision 2030, including extensive infrastructure expansion, master-planned communities, and urban redevelopment.

Key factors for buyers:

🏙 Urban growth: Riyadh’s population is projected to grow to over 10 million by 2030, supported by major public transport projects and highway expansions.
🏘 Master communities: National developer ROSHN (backed by the Public Investment Fund) is leading huge residential projects such as SEDR A, which launched its fifth phase in September 2025, adding thousands of homes.
🏢 Business hub: Many multinational companies are establishing regional HQs in Riyadh following the Kingdom’s 2024 regional HQ policy.

Property outlook: Riyadh is expected to offer a wide range of ownership opportunities, from suburban villas and family communities to high-rise apartments in emerging commercial districts. For UK investors, it’s likely to be the most mature and liquid foreign ownership market in the early stages of the law.

👉 Through our team, UK buyers can receive early access to credible Riyadh developments and prepare allocation strategies before January 2026.

Jeddah – The Red Sea Gateway

Jeddah, on the western coast, is the country’s historic commercial hub and gateway to the holy cities. It’s also undergoing significant urban renewal, positioning itself as a cultural and lifestyle destination with strong investment potential.

Highlights include:

🌆 ALAROUS development by ROSHN, expanding fast with new residential releases in September 2025.
🛥 MARAFY – a landmark canal district project that will reshape the city’s urban fabric with waterfront living, mixed-use communities, and modern amenities.
✈ Excellent connectivity – Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport is one of the busiest in the region, linking Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Property outlook: Jeddah is expected to attract buyers looking for coastal urban living, lifestyle communities, and proximity to Makkah and Madinah, while still benefiting from freehold or leasehold ownership in designated zones.

👉 UK buyers can register with us to receive curated Jeddah project lists and pre-launch information as soon as foreign zones are confirmed.

Makkah and Madinah – Spiritual and Investment Appeal for Muslim Buyers

For Muslim buyers from the UK and beyond, Makkah and Madinah hold unique spiritual significance — and the possibility of property ownership in or near these holy cities has long been of deep interest.

Under the current framework, foreign individuals cannot directly own property in Makkah or Madinah. However:

In January 2025, the Capital Market Authority (CMA) allowed foreign investors to buy shares or convertible instruments in listed Saudi companies that own real estate in these cities. This provided an indirect route to participate in their property markets.
The new foreign ownership law, effective January 2026, leaves the door open for the Implementing Regulations to specify how and where foreign individuals may own property in or around these cities.
Market observers expect that ownership in Makkah and Madinah will likely be tightly controlled — possibly through leasehold structures, zoned areas around the central harams, or investment-linked models.

Why this matters for UK Muslim buyers:
Owning property near the Haram in Makkah or the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah carries both spiritual and lifestyle value — for family use during Umrah and Hajj, for long-term residence, or as part of a multi-generational legacy.

Additionally, both cities have been undergoing major infrastructure and urban development:

Jabal Omar Development Project in Makkah continues to expand with luxury hotels and residential towers near the Haram.
Rua Al Madinah in Madinah is transforming the city centre into a world-class visitor destination with residential, hospitality, and cultural zones.

Property outlook: While direct foreign ownership is not yet confirmed, Makkah and Madinah are strategic destinations to monitor very closely. Any opening to individual ownership will likely attract strong demand from Muslim buyers globally — particularly from the UK.

👉 UK Muslim buyers can work through our team to receive verified legal updates and early opportunities as soon as regulations clarify the pathways for ownership or investment in these sacred cities.

The Red Sea Project and AMAALA – Ultra-Luxury Coastal Living

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast is home to two of the most ambitious tourism and residential projects in the world: The Red Sea Project and AMAALA. Both are designed as sustainable luxury destinations, showcasing the Kingdom’s natural beauty and aiming to attract international second-home owners and high-net-worth investors.

Key features:

🌊 Red Sea Project: Encompasses more than 90 islands, pristine beaches, and marine sanctuaries. First phases are already operational, with branded residences tied to ultra-luxury hotel operators like Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Jumeirah, and Miraval.
🌿 AMAALA: Focused on wellness and sustainable tourism, with resorts and residences designed for high-net-worth buyers seeking exclusivity and privacy.
🏗 Strong international positioning: Both developments have already featured in major global real estate exhibitions, including Cityscape.

Property outlook: While pricing is expected to be premium, these destinations offer unique lifestyle appeal, with strong potential for capital appreciation as infrastructure and visitor numbers scale.

👉 We provide UK buyers with structured access to off-market and early-phase opportunities in Red Sea and AMAALA developments, with legal guidance tailored to non-resident investors.

Diriyah – Heritage Meets Luxury

Just outside Riyadh lies Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi state and now the focus of a multi-billion-pound heritage-led redevelopment. The Diriyah Gate Development Authority is creating a unique blend of traditional Najdi architecture and luxury living, with projects including Wadi Safar, home to branded villas from Aman, Chedi, and Faena.

Why it matters:

🕌 Cultural significance – Diriyah is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a magnet for heritage tourism and cultural investment.
🏡 Luxury residential offering – Diriyah’s residential districts are designed to cater to high-end buyers seeking exclusivity with historic character.
🏌 Lifestyle appeal – Golf courses, museums, and boutique hotels are planned to complement the residential offer.

Property outlook: Diriyah is likely to be a flagship zone for foreign ownership, especially for buyers interested in heritage, culture, and luxury combined.

👉 UK buyers can work through us to explore early villa and branded residence opportunities in Diriyah’s residential districts once zones are confirmed.

NEOM – The Future City

No discussion of Saudi property would be complete without NEOM, the Kingdom’s futuristic giga-project in the northwest. Encompassing multiple regions — including Sindalah (luxury yachting island), Oxagon (industrial and innovation hub), and Trojena (alpine mountain resort) — NEOM represents a longer-term but potentially transformative investment frontier.

Highlights:

🌐 Global branding – NEOM is positioning itself as a global innovation zone, drawing talent and investment from around the world.
🏘 Residential offerings – Early releases focus on hospitality-linked residences in Sindalah and Trojena, appealing to second-home buyers and investors.
🏔 Distinct lifestyle zones – Each region offers a different environment, from coast to mountains.

Property outlook: NEOM is a bold, long-term play. UK buyers with a future-focused investment strategy may find early opportunities here particularly compelling as the legal framework matures.

👉 Through our network, UK investors can access official NEOM residential releases without navigating multiple international sales channels.

Strategic Advantage for UK Buyers

Understanding these key destinations — including spiritually significant cities like Makkah and Madinah — before the official zone maps are published gives UK buyers a first-mover advantage. Instead of waiting until January 2026 to explore options, buyers who shortlist their preferred locations and prepare documentation early will be ready to act swiftly once the regulations go live.

Our team specialises in helping UK buyers:

Identify credible projects in priority zones.
Handle regulatory updates and legal pathways on their behalf.
Secure early access and allocations through official developer channels.
Manage currency, due diligence, and documentation seamlessly.

Next Steps

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ownership law is set to transform these destinations into international real estate markets. For UK buyers, timing and preparation are key.

👉 Register with us to receive destination-specific briefings, curated project lists, and early access to developments — including opportunities in Makkah and Madinah — as they open up for foreign buyers in 2026.

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