The best off-plan property projects to invest in across Saudi Arabia in 2026.

Off-plan entry into the Saudi market carries several built-in advantages.

• Early-phase pricing. Units are secured at pre-launch or launch prices, typically below completed-market value.
• Capital growth potential. Value tends to lift at construction milestones, and again at handover.
• Flexible payment plans. Long instalment schedules linked to construction stages widen accessibility and reduce the upfront outlay.
• A clearer ownership framework. The January 2026 non-Saudi ownership law and the accompanying CMA controls give foreign capital a direct route to ownership inside designated zones, alongside escrow rules and more transparent project structures.

Two macro supports sit underneath. The Saudi riyal is pegged to the US dollar at about 3.75, which steadies returns for overseas buyers, and demand for the best addresses keeps rising as the Kingdom prepares for Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034. Expo 2030 was awarded to Riyadh by a BIE vote in November 2023 and runs from October 2030 to March 2031; the 2034 World Cup was confirmed for Saudi Arabia on 11 December 2024, with host cities including Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, NEOM and Abha. Both are expected to lift tourism, business travel and high-value residential demand. With those dynamics in mind, here are five developments attracting investor attention across the two cities.

Direct ownership, inside designated zones. The Law of Real Estate Ownership and Investment by Non-Saudis, issued under Royal Decree M/14, took effect on 22 January 2026 and replaced the old workaround-only regime. On 23 June 2026 the Cabinet approved the geographical zones and implementing regulations, and REGA now publishes the maps through Saudi Properties. Non-Saudis can directly hold full ownership, usufruct or leasehold within permitted zones, subject to the rights and limits shown for each. Makkah and Madinah stay specially restricted. For an off-plan buyer, the practical step is to confirm the specific project against the live map before committing.

The real cost stack. This is where earlier readings of the market understated the numbers. A buyer pays 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax on registration, unchanged since 2020, with no increase into 2026. Under the new law a non-Saudi also faces a fee of up to 5% of value, levied by the Real Estate General Authority on disposal, which can take the government take on a foreign owner’s round-trip toward roughly 10%. There is still no personal income tax and no capital-gains tax on individuals, but the older "one-time 3% registration fee, no further tax" framing materially understated 2026 costs and should not be relied on.

Residency and corporate incentives. A residential purchase of SAR 4 million or more can qualify the owner for Premium Residency, now reinforced by the new direct-purchase route, with the property required to be developed, mortgage-free and Taqeem-appraised. The unlimited-duration option, paid as a one-time fee, gives lifetime residency. Saudi Arabia retains zero personal income tax and zero capital-gains tax on individuals, and foreign companies establishing a regional headquarters receive a 30-year exemption from corporate and withholding tax under the RHQ programme.

Overview. On the Jeddah Corniche, Trump Tower Jeddah is a 47-storey residential tower due for completion in the fourth quarter of 2029, set to redefine coastal living on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. It holds over 300 apartments, from 1 to 4 bedrooms plus 3 and 4-bedroom penthouses, from 753 square feet up to penthouses cited at around 3,931 square feet, each with a terrace and panoramic views of the Red Sea. The architecture, by Gensler, references Jeddah’s heritage in a contemporary register, with fine finishes, high-specification appliances and, on the larger units and all penthouses, staff quarters. In November 2025 Dar Global named the tower’s main construction contractor, moving the project from launch into build.

Location. Jeddah is Saudi Arabia’s second city and its Red Sea commercial and cultural gateway. The Corniche waterfront, where the tower sits, is its most sought-after address: beaches, dining, the Floating Mosque and the Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina. King Abdulaziz International Airport is about 20 minutes away and Red Sea Mall around 10, with international schools and medical facilities close by, which suits families. As the gateway to Mecca and a rising tourism destination, Jeddah carries steady demand for well-located homes, and Corniche values have grown consistently, giving off-plan units potential for capital appreciation and rental income.

The investment case. Prices start from around SAR 2 million (roughly USD 545,000), on a flexible 90/10 plan with a 20% deposit at booking; an owner can sell during construction once 40% of the price is paid, allowing early profit realisation. Costs follow the 2026 stack set out above: 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax on registration, plus the non-Saudi disposal fee on resale. Short-let demand from visitors and business travellers, building toward Expo 2030, supports yield.

Why it stands out. The tower pairs a globally recognised brand with a prime seafront position and an architectural pedigree, setting a new benchmark on the coast. The Trump Members Club, open only to residents, adds a private social layer of dining, a lounge, wellness facilities, pools and a gym, and hosts events that build a resident community. Aligned with the Kingdom’s urban transformation, it is positioned to remain a landmark address.

Overview. Trump Plaza Jeddah is a mixed-use development valued at about $1 billion, launched by Dar Global and the Trump Organization in January 2026 and set within the Amaya district on King Abdulaziz Road, a central corridor connecting commercial and lifestyle zones. Where Trump Tower is purely residential, Trump Plaza is a multi-layered district: Grade-A offices, retail and dining, a 4,000 square metre members-only Vitality Club, and Trump-branded homes spanning Trump Executive Residences, Trump Park Residences and Trump Townhouses.

Why it matters for investors. Mixed-use schemes often outperform in fast-growing cities because they create integrated, self-contained ecosystems. That tends to support stronger long-term demand, higher occupancy and better price resilience, particularly where hospitality, retail and resident services anchor the address. In practical terms the buyer is not only acquiring property; they are buying into a destination.

Why it stands out. Now a live launch rather than an announcement, Trump Plaza extends the Trump brand in Saudi Arabia beyond standalone residences into business, hospitality and lifestyle. That wider scope can broaden the demand pool and improve resale appeal over time, which matters for an off-plan buyer underwriting an exit several years out.

Overview. Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Jeddah at the Corniche is one of the Kingdom’s most significant branded residential schemes, developed by Midad with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. It pairs a hotel with privately owned residences that receive Four Seasons service: a 247-room hotel, 21 serviced apartments, and 64 residences for purchase, including two penthouses, across four towers, with handover scheduled by 30 June 2027. The project topped out the Middle East’s largest suspended bridges, headed for the record books, in late 2024.

Location. The project sits in the Corniche district, giving residents the waterfront, the main road links and the city’s tourism sites, which suits both personal use and rental income as Jeddah expands its hospitality and entertainment footprint.

The investment case. Branded residences attached to a hotel operator typically benefit from three things.

• Higher rental demand from high-calibre tenants and corporate stays.
• Strong resale premiums on the strength of the brand and service quality.
• Better long-term protection against oversupply.

Why it stands out. For international investors, a globally trusted hospitality name carries particular weight in an emerging market, where brand reassurance matters. This is positioned as one of Jeddah’s most significant branded residential concepts, combining a direct waterfront location with a leading global operator and hotel-grade services.

Overview. In the Sedra district of Riyadh, Neptune by Mouawad is a collection of three-storey, five-bedroom villas of 300 to 420 square metres, developed by Dar Global with interiors by Mouawad, the jewellery house known for record-breaking diamond creations. The homes pair modern design with traditional Saudi architectural cues, panoramic views over the Wadi Hanifa valley, advanced technology and sustainable features. Each villa includes staff quarters, private parking with EV charging, a high-specification kitchen, and expansive roof gardens and outdoor space, with completion targeted for the fourth quarter of 2027.

Location. Riyadh’s real estate market is fuelled by Vision 2030’s focus on urban development, and Sedra sits near key transport routes and planned upgrades, including new metro lines and commercial centres; King Khalid International Airport is about 15 minutes away. The community carries schools, sports facilities, public parks and clinics, with quick access to Riyadh’s business districts and cultural landmarks, which keeps demand high among both residents and renters.

The investment case. Villas start from around SAR 2.7 million (roughly £540,000), on a plan of 20% down, 75% during construction and 5% on handover. Riyadh led Saudi cities with 10.6% residential price growth in the first half of 2025, per Knight Frank, and Sedra rental yields have historically run around 6 to 7%, which should be treated as indicative rather than guaranteed. The Mouawad interiors add resale and rental appeal, as branded residences tend to command a premium. Buyers benefit from the Kingdom’s tax position: no personal income or capital-gains tax on individuals, a 30-year corporate tax exemption for foreign companies establishing regional headquarters, and Premium Residency for residential purchases above SAR 4 million. Dar Global advertises payment by cash, card, bank transfer or cryptocurrency, with funds held in secure escrow.

Why it stands out. Neptune pairs a distinctive design pedigree with Riyadh’s high-growth trajectory, a rare chance to own a branded villa in a fast-developing capital. The fusion of traditional and modern, the resident amenities and the central location make it a standout for buyers seeking standing and return together.

Overview. Launched by Dar Global and the Trump Organization in January 2026, Rayana is the flagship branded address within Wadi Safar, Diriyah: Trump-branded mansions alongside the Trump International Golf Club and Trump International Hotel across a 2.6 million square metre site. The launch frames two collections rather than a single product: Rayana, the Ultimate Custom shell-and-core mansions, and Trump Mansions, the Signature Interiors line, ranging from 6 to 8 bedrooms and starting from around SAR 25 million. The hotel runs through its own private gate, separate from residential access. Plot and built-up ranges span the typologies set out below.

Location. Wadi Safar lies about 20 minutes northwest of Riyadh, at the heart of the Diriyah giga-project, most often valued at around $64 billion in 2026, and minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif. Diriyah’s group chief executive Jerry Inzerillo has positioned Wadi Safar as the development’s highest-net-worth quarter, a Riyadh "Bel Air" of homes from $25 million and up for the world’s wealthiest buyers. Residents reach hospitality names including Aman, Oberoi, Faena and The Chedi, plus the Royal Diriyah Equestrian & Polo Club, within 20 minutes, behind dedicated private gates reserved for residents.

The investment case. Rayana’s thesis rests on genuine scarcity in Saudi Arabia’s fastest-growing market. An 18-hole Trump International course is paired with access to a Greg Norman-designed 27-hole championship course; Trump Golf’s portfolio includes courses ranked in Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest, positioning Wadi Safar as a leading golfing address. The residents’ club follows a strict "no day guests" policy, with fine dining, a cigar lounge, a signature bar, a gym and a pro shop for residents only. On the fundamentals, Riyadh led Saudi cities with 10.6% residential price growth in the first half of 2025 and gross rental yields ran around 8.89% as of September 2025, per Knight Frank and the Global Property Guide. Riyadh’s population is projected to reach about 9.6 million by 2030, from roughly 7 million in 2022, implying demand for around 305,000 new homes, per Knight Frank. Residential purchases above SAR 4 million can qualify for Premium Residency, with no personal income or capital-gains tax on individuals.

Government backing. As a Public Investment Fund project, Diriyah underwrites the masterplan around Rayana. The SAR 8 billion (about $2.13 billion) Wadi Safar award covers four hotels, Aman, Oberoi, Faena and The Chedi, plus the Royal Diriyah Equestrian & Polo Club, anchoring the hospitality and lifestyle layer that surrounds the residences.

Why it stands out. Rayana combines limited supply (a finite set of mansions, not hundreds of tower units), dual championship golf, heritage integration beside a UNESCO site, and a full lifestyle layer of five-star hotel, equestrian facilities and cultural programming. It is built for buyers seeking long-term appreciation in Saudi Arabia’s premier heritage destination.

Off-plan can reward well, but it depends on careful project selection. Five factors matter most in 2026.

• Designated-zone status. Confirm the project sits inside a Council-of-Ministers-designated zone where non-Saudis can directly own under the January 2026 law, and that the title route is clear.
• The full cost stack. Underwrite the 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax on registration and the up-to-5% disposal fee for a non-Saudi resale, so the round-trip cost is priced into the return, not discovered at exit.
• Developer credibility. Favour developers with a proven delivery record, transparent documentation, secure escrow and a strong completion history.
• Location and catalysts. The strongest entries sit near transport networks, prime lifestyle corridors, tourism zones or a major government-backed masterplan, with Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup as the medium-term demand drivers.
• Branding and differentiation. Developments with strong brand value, distinctive interior partnerships and resident-only amenities tend to command firmer pricing, stronger rental premiums and better long-term desirability.

Saudi Arabia’s off-plan market remains one of the strongest global opportunity windows, partly because the Kingdom is still early in its transformation cycle and many high-demand districts are still being delivered. The headline 2026 shift is that non-Saudis can now own directly inside designated zones, which removes a barrier that earlier readings of the market had to work around. The residential segment is sizeable: one forecasting vendor, IMARC, puts it at about $71.8 billion in 2024 rising toward $130.8 billion by 2033, a 6.9% compound annual rate, which is best read as an estimate of the residential segment rather than the whole market.

The strategy that follows is consistent. Buy early, in strategic locations across Jeddah and Riyadh, back credible developers, confirm designated-zone status, and price in the full cost stack before you weigh the upside. As Saudi Arabia cements its position as a global investment hub, off-plan projects in prime locations should continue to reward selective, well-structured entry. The Kingdom is not simply building property. It is building the next stage of its global identity. Every figure here is indicative and not investment advice.