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Buyer guides
Read before you buy
Plain-English guides, written from official Saudi sources and checked in September 2026. They explain the rules; they are not legal advice.
The 2026 ownership law, explained
What changed on 22 January 2026, the special rules for Makkah and Madinah, registration and penalties.
Designated zones in Makkah and Madinah
How zones work, areas named in published lists, and a five-step check for any property.
Costs, taxes and fees
RETT at 5%, the non-Saudi fee at 2%, and a worked example on a SAR 2 million apartment.
How to buy from abroad, step by step
Digital ID, a Saudi bank account, the Saudi Properties platform and registration.
Premium Residency and property
Why ownership is not residency, and how the SAR 4 million real estate owner route works.
Twenty years of market insight
The Alpha1Estates real estate index for Makkah and Madinah, year by year.
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