جدة.

Yes, within the mapped zones now published by REGA. The Law of Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis took effect on 22 January 2026, and the Cabinet approved the geographical zones and implementing regulations on 23 June 2026. Jeddah is covered through its city centre and 55 numbered development zones, but eligibility, permitted rights and ownership limits are property-specific. A branded residence does not remove the need to check the live Saudi Properties map; Premium Residency is a separate route for buyers who qualify.

Inside a designated zone, residents holding an iqama register directly online through the Real Estate General Authority's platform. Non-residents buying from abroad are routed through Saudi embassies or consulates to obtain a digital identity first, then use the same platform. The procedure is new and still bedding in, so confirm the current consular and registration steps at the point of purchase.

A Jeddah purchase qualifies for Saudi Premium Residency on the same national terms as anywhere in the Kingdom: it is not a Jeddah-specific scheme. The real-estate route requires owning developed residential property valued at a minimum of SAR 4 million, held unmortgaged and appraised by a Taqeem-accredited valuer, renewable every five years. Cash alternatives need no property: SAR 100,000 per year for the limited-duration permit, or SAR 800,000 once for the unlimited permit. Verify the SAR 4m figure before acting, as central thresholds can change.

City-wide in the third quarter of 2025, apartments averaged around SAR 4,300 to 4,400 per square metre and villas around SAR 5,100 to 5,200, with the average residential transaction near SAR 1.2 million (roughly USD 320k). Prime Corniche and waterfront stock in Ash Shati commands materially more, roughly SAR 9,000 to 14,000 per square metre. Branded waterfront residences sit well above local averages, from the high SAR per square metre tier upward. Treat these as indicative ranges dated to 2025, not fixed quotes; the SAR is pegged to the US dollar at about 3.75.

A flat 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax applies on the transfer value, administered by ZATCA, with exemptions for inheritance, family gifts and certain corporate restructurings. There is no annual recurring property tax on residential ownership and no individual capital gains tax on personal real estate. Budget on top of the 5% for registration, valuation where residency is sought, agency, and any developer or branded service charges. Figures are current to 2025 and 2026; confirm at completion.

Not as a foreign owner under current rules. As at late 2025 the Ministry of Tourism restricts short-term-rental host permits to Saudi nationals, so expatriates and overseas owners cannot legally hold a short-let licence. A buy-to-let case in Jeddah should be built on long-term tenancy registered through the Ejar platform, or on operator-run branded residences with built-in rental management. Short-let eligibility is evolving alongside the ownership reform, so verify before relying on short-let income.

Two PIF giga-projects anchor the coast. Jeddah Central, a 9.5km waterfront reclamation, has its first phase targeted to open in 2027, including a beach, marina, stadium and opera house. Roshn's MARAFY at Obhur Creek is in early phased construction: a navigable canal of around 10km with 52,000 homes planned and a metro Red Line link. On the existing Corniche, Four Seasons Private Residences is expected to complete around mid-2027. The forward residential pipeline is roughly 18,000 units in 2026 and 22,000 in 2027.

Riyadh sells on jobs, relocation and rental demand; Jeddah sells on waterfront and brand. Jeddah's 2025 residential market was the Kingdom's standout for stability, with record sales near SAR 36.6 billion across about 30,500 transactions, prices rising more moderately than Riyadh on a healthier supply-demand balance. The primary market is strong but the resale market is young, so this suits patient buyers rather than quick exits.