Saudi Arabia: residency, citizenship, tax and living

Saudi Premium Residency program offers multiple pathways for securing limited and permanent residency in the country. You can apply as a gifted individual, special talent, investor, entrepreneur, or real estate owner, or you can simply make a payment to be granted residency. Each of the pathways has specific criteria you have to meet, including a minimum monthly salary or a regular income from another source.

While it’s legally possible to become a Saudi citizen as a foreigner, in practice this has proven difficult to achieve. Saudi Arabia has a strict, points-based system for citizenship, with requirements that include at least 10 years of residence and Arabic language knowledge. If you want to have unlimited rights to reside in the country, it might be easier to apply for the country’s Premium Residency.

No, Saudi Arabia doesn’t have a personal income tax. The country doesn’t impose a tax on earnings from employment in the country. If you have other means of income, you might be liable for tax as an entity or a permanent establishment. If you’re a non-resident, you might be subject to withholding tax on income earned in Saudi Arabia.

Foreigners can buy property in Saudi Arabia as of January 2026. As a foreigner, you are allowed to own property in government-designated areas, and a single residential property outside these zones if you live in the country. You can also purchase property outside of the zones through Saudi-incorporated non-listed companies you own. Purchasing property in Mekkah and Medina is still restricted.