Historic Reform Allows Foreign Muslims to Own Homes in Islam’s Holiest Cities for the First Time
In a landmark decision that is set to reshape the future of real estate investment in the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia has officially opened property ownership in Makkah and Madinah to Muslims from around the world, granting foreign buyers the opportunity to own freehold property in the two holiest cities in Islam for the first time.
The reform follows a Saudi Cabinet decision approved on June 23, 2026 (27 Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH), during a session chaired by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The decision established the designated ownership zones and regulatory framework governing foreign ownership in the sacred cities.
On the same day, the Real Estate General Authority (REGA) launched the Saudi Properties portal, the Kingdom’s official digital platform through which eligible buyers can apply for ownership.
A Historic Shift
For decades, millions of Muslims travelled to Makkah and Madinah for Hajj and Umrah, yet ownership of property in the two cities remained largely restricted to Saudi nationals. Under regulations dating back to 2000, non-Saudis were generally prohibited from purchasing real estate in the holy cities, except in limited circumstances such as inheritance or religious endowments.
The new framework marks a significant departure from that policy, creating a legal pathway for Muslims worldwide to establish a permanent presence near Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi.
Who Is Eligible?
The ownership programme is exclusively reserved for Muslims.
Muslim individuals from any country may purchase freehold property within the approved zones, regardless of whether they reside in Saudi Arabia or live abroad. Non-Muslims remain prohibited from entering the sacred boundaries of Makkah and are not eligible to participate in the programme.
Approved Ownership Zones
Ownership is limited to designated development areas approved by Saudi authorities and does not extend across the entirety of either city.
Makkah
Approved zones include:
- Jabal Omar
- Abraj Makkah
- Al-Manar
- Burj Ajyad
- King Salman Gate
- Tilal Village
- Dhakhir Makkah
- Dahiyat Sumou
- Masar
- Makkah Zone 1
- Makkah Zone 2
Madinah
Approved zones include:
- Ruaa Al-Madinah
- Downtown Madinah
- Diyar Al-Maqar
- Al-Ghurra
- Al-Mahwa
- Darat Al-Hijra
- Madinah Zone 1
- Madinah Zone 2
Many of these developments are located close to the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, offering owners direct access to some of the most visited religious sites in the world.
Application Process
Applications are being processed through the Saudi Properties digital portal.
Residents of Saudi Arabia can apply using their Iqama number through an automated verification process. Muslims residing outside the Kingdom must first obtain a Saudi digital identity through a Saudi embassy or consulate before submitting their application online.
Saudi authorities have described the system as fully digital, aimed at simplifying ownership procedures for international buyers.
Pathway to Premium Residency
The reform also provides an avenue toward obtaining Saudi Premium Residency.
To qualify through property ownership, buyers must purchase a completed residential property valued at a minimum of 4 million . The property must be fully constructed, cannot be purchased off-plan, and must be acquired without financing or mortgage arrangements.
Successful applicants may then become eligible for Premium Residency benefits under Saudi regulations.
Supporting Vision 2030
The decision forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 transformation programme, which seeks to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and expand investment opportunities beyond the energy sector.
Saudi Arabia is aiming to welcome more than 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030 while continuing to invest heavily in infrastructure, hospitality, transportation and real estate projects surrounding the holy sites.
With the Kingdom’s real estate market expected to experience substantial growth over the coming decade, officials view the opening of ownership in Makkah and Madinah as a strategic step toward attracting long-term investment from the global Muslim community.
A New Opportunity for Muslims Worldwide
For Muslims in countries such as Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Egypt and beyond, the reform represents far more than a real estate opportunity. For the first time, believers from around the world can legally own a home in the cities that hold the deepest spiritual significance in Islam.
As millions continue to visit Makkah and Madinah each year for worship, the possibility of owning property near the sacred mosques marks a historic change one that strengthens the connection between the holy cities and the global Muslim Ummah.
