Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Property Investment

Saudi Arabia continues to push the boundaries across multiple sectors, and none more so than the Real Estate Sector. Off Plan Dubai, now in just over 18 months, has transacted over 500m SAR of real estate with HNWI investors, Family/Private offices, and this rapid growth shows no signs of slowing down.

We have now been operational and profitable for over 10 years, initially focusing solely on Dubai, and we have since added London and Manchester to our investment portfolio offerings. The UK has some of the tightest regulations seen anywhere in the world. Following the 2008 market crash, RERA revamped many aspects of the Real Estate process in Dubai, and as such, investors are much more protected than they were previously.

Saudi Arabia, driven by multi-layered growth, emerged as a market we aimed to target comprehensively. Our investors sought diverse options, and we sought to accelerate our growth and establish ourselves as a leading international player in the Real Estate sector. 

Our primary concern was investor protection and the regulations that safeguard investor capital. We conducted a thorough review of the process, and the primary protection framework is outlined in the WAFI agreement. Here is a concise summary of how it works and how it compares to the REAR regulations in Dubai.  

The Wafi program is Saudi Arabia’s regulatory framework governing the sale and marketing of off-plan real estate projects. Administered by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, it ensures that developers cannot simply launch and sell projects without meeting strict licensing and financial conditions. To secure approval, a developer must present detailed project plans, economic feasibility studies, and secure guarantees, with all customer payments deposited into a dedicated, regulated Escrow Account. These funds can only be released in line with verified construction progress, preventing misuse of investor money and reducing the risk of incomplete developments.

For investors, this means that when they sign a Wafi Agreement, they are legally protected: developers are monitored, construction progress is independently reviewed, and buyers’ funds are safeguarded. This framework aligns Saudi Arabia with global standards, similar to escrow systems used in Dubai, and reflects the government’s aim to build trust and transparency in the off-plan market. By requiring financial discipline and strict oversight, WAFI helps ensure that investors are not just buying into promises, but into regulated, deliverable projects. As an advisory, we always aim to work with projects where payments on the payment plan are construction-linked. Only once the independent surveyor has verified a construction milestone can a payment request be initiated. 

Here’s a clear side-by-side comparison of Saudi Arabia’s WAFI system and Dubai’s RERA escrow law, tailored for investors considering off-plan property:

WAFI (Saudi Arabia) vs RERA Escrow (Dubai)

1. Regulatory Body

2. Developer Requirements

3. Buyer Payment Protection

4. Oversight & Monitoring

5. Penalties for Non-Compliance

6. Investor Confidence

Key takeaway for investors: Both systems aim to safeguard buyer funds and ensure delivery, but Dubai’s RERA is more mature and time-tested. At the same time, Saudi Arabia’s WAFI is newer but backed by substantial government reforms under Vision 2030. This positions Saudi off-plan as an emerging, regulated market with increasing protections, similar to Dubai a decade ago.

Discover our range of Saudi Arabia Property Investments here. This list will continue to grow and expand over the coming years.

Off-Plan Dubai from 2024 onwards firmly established itself as a leading player in the Saudi real estate landscape. We have partnered with local funds and developers to invest in the Kingdom through real estate, and we have witnessed the region’s growth in prominence across multiple continents as the world’s smart money moves there in anticipation of the upcoming boom in the real estate sector. We are fast approaching SAR 500m in just under 2 years in the market, that’s not in any way a gloat or showing off. Just a validation that we know the region and investment sector, and are continuing to provide value and insights into an internationally emerging investment destination.

If you’re considering investing in Riyadh real estate, here’s a well-rounded look at the current landscape as of mid-2025:

Why Riyadh Is Attracting Investor Interest:

Vision 2030 and Major Development Projects:
Riyadh sits at the center of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, an ambitious plan to diversify the economy beyond oil. This includes massive infrastructure and urban development initiatives that buoy real estate demand.

Key mega-projects include:

Strong Market Performance & Growth Trends:

Residential and commercial sectors are seeing heightened activity:

Market forecasts remain positive:

Foreign Investment & Ownership Reforms:

Legal Reform & Key Timelines:

Starting January 2026, Saudi Arabia will dramatically open its real estate market to foreign ownership—under a finely regulated, zone-based system. This represents a historic shift, enabling international investors, expats, and global firms to participate in the Kingdom’s real estate economy while maintaining protective controls. Legal guidance, awareness of zone-specific rules, and careful compliance will be essential as the policy rolls out.

Saudi Arabia – Premium Residency (Green Card) Real Estate Investment Visa:

Eligibility Requirements:

Benefits Include:

Key Risks and Challenges to Be Aware Of:

Off Plan Dubai, as with all investments, especially emerging markets, it is essential to consider any potential pitfalls and obstacles that may present themselves. If we are aware of upcoming issues, we can best plan for them and mitigate them as effectively as possible.

Prime Investment Areas & Property Types

Promising neighbourhoods for investment (especially for residential, rental, or Airbnb-style units):

Strategic Takeaways for Investors:

DAR Global:

The leading developer in Saudi Arabia with an international presence is the London Stock Exchange-listed DAR Global.

Having launched 200 ultra-exclusive villas in partnership with Mouawad, along with a Trump tower in Jeddah, 2025 has been about acquisitions and the planning for future launches in Riyadh. We are expecting a Trump Tower in Riyadh by 2026, along with a multi-layered master plan featuring luxury Villas, Apartments, and a Trump International Golf Club on an unspecified, expensive plot.

Here’s what Dar Global currently has in the pipeline for Riyadh real estate, based on the most up-to-date information:

Key strategic advantages:

Why it matters:

This significant land purchase positions Dar Global to launch additional residential-led developments in Riyadh, expanding beyond the Mouawad villas into broader luxury or high-end residential offerings. DAR Global is famous for its branded residences with Lamborghini, Pagani, Trump, Fendi, W, Missoni, Elie Saab, Mouawad and others among its elaborate list of branded options across the globe. Expect some of the most prominent designers and brands to enter the Saudi market in 2026 and beyond.

Strategic Context & Outlook

Final Thoughts:

Riyadh is currently one of the most dynamic and opportunity-rich real estate markets in the region, driven by infrastructure, broad reforms, and rapid economic diversification. With high yields, robust capital appreciation, and more open access for international investors, it’s a compelling time to consider strategic real estate ventures.

That said, success hinges on due diligence, selecting the correct location, understanding regulatory frameworks, and aligning with long-term secular trends rather than speculative fever.

Let me know if you’d like help diving into specific neighbourhoods, returned yields, developer reputations, or navigating foreign investment compliance.

Discover our range of Saudi Arabia Property Investments here

Dear Investors,

I hope you’re all doing well.

Our advisory and office has recently placed ever-growing emphasis on Abu Dhabi as an investment destination. We have done this for several reasons, but here are the numbers behind our decision to place a substantial interest in the Abu Dhabi Market.

Before we start, this isn’t a slant on Dubai. Dubai is my family home for a good proportion of the year. It’s where Off Plan Dubai is based, and the market is as strong now as we have ever been. However, we must consider reports like the Fitch report as they stand; you cannot simply overlook the potential negatives and focus solely on the positives. 

Below is a tight, practical comparison of Abu Dhabi vs Dubai for H2-2025 and into 2026 (the next 18 months), plus a clear recommendation depending on your risk/timeline.

Quick headline summary

Future Property Supply Vs Population Growth

Abu Dhabi purposely launches fewer projects, whereas Dubai has many private developers, resulting in more frequent launches. A typical off-plan project takes 3-4 years to complete. So let’s look at the Population Growth numbers vs the oncoming supply.

2021-2024 
Dubai – 212,000 Units sold
Abu Dhabi – 22,000 Units sold

Dubai sold just over 9 times more properties than Abu Dhabi in the last 3 years, and that number jumps even further when you look at the sales YTD in both locations.

2025 YTD
Dubai – 66,029 Units sold
Abu Dhabi – 4,307 Units sold

In Dubai, there’s now a 15-fold increase in the same period for 2025.

Population Growth (June 2025 We received the census for 2024.)

Dubai – 169,000 increase (+4.5% = 3.86 million added)
Abu Dhabi – 288,840 increase (+7.5% = 4.14 million added)

As of June 2025, the population of the United Arab Emirates stands at 11.35 million. Both the populations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are very similar, with each having just under 4 million people. The density in Abu Dhabi is much lower.

Measuring the impact of these numbers?

For every off-plan unit sold, we can see how many new residents were added to fulfil that level of demand.

In Dubai: 1.5 new residents per off-plan unit sold.
In contrast;
Abu Dhabi: 27 new residents for every off-plan unit sold.

The numbers show that in Abu Dhabi, you can be fully assured with any off-plan purchase that the increase in population will impact the demand, and ultimately the value and rental yield over the coming years. Tight supply, with increased growth, is the bedrock of any thriving real-estate market. This can be seen as a country as a whole, or in micro-markets across the region.

What does that mean for H2-2025 → 2026 (next 18 months)

Abu Dhabi (lower volatility / steady upside)

Dubai (higher upside, higher risk)

Conclusion:

In Dubai, be picky, vigilant and invest in the best products in the best locations. Use trusted brands/developers who will deliver the strongest options. 

Abu Dhabi has its upside. You can live in Hudayriyat Island in a full Sea View villa with a price per sqft of just AED 1600 per sqft. You can comfortably pay that in Dubai to live 20 minutes into the desert.

We will keep you informed of the best options across both regions, and as always, we would only advise what we personally would invest in.

Personally, I am seeing friends and family moving to Abu Dhabi for logistical reasons, such as traffic and a slower pace, as individuals become families. My next personal purchase will be a Villa on Fahid or Hudayriyat Island, as well as the upcoming Trump Tower launch in the Capital.

At Off Plan Dubai, we pride ourselves on bringing investors the best real estate investments in the world. We show up, take action and provide investors with the best options from the world’s leading developers.

2025 has a new player… Saudi Arabia.

As it lies in the GCC and in many ways is the cultural, religious and investment heart of the Middle East, we ask a question that many investors are now asking: Is Saudi Arabia the new Dubai?

Our take is that Saudi Arabia is not the new Dubai, but it is aiming to become something even bigger and more influential in its unique way.

It is May 2002, and Dubai’s real estate landscape is about to change forever. Dubai overnight issues a decree that allowed non-GCC nationals to buy, sell and lease property in selected developments. The property market changed forever, the floodgates were opened, and international buyers and investors, primarily from Europe, South Asia and the Middle East, flooded the market. Developers like Emaar, Nakheel and Dubai Properties launched mega projects such as The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa), Jumeirah Lakes Towers, etc. Prices surged as demand outstripped supply and Dubai’s skyline was to become unrecognisable as construction boomed. To manage this, we saw the creation of regulatory bodies such as RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) in 2007 and the Dubai Land Department (DLD). These bodies brought transparency, regulation, and investor protection into the market.

Last week, we got the news that many had been waiting for: Saudi Arabia is opening its Real Estate market to foreign investors. Over 1200 HNWI have already purchased real estate and taken advantage of the Premium Residency. Still, now we will see whole regions become Freehold and attract international investment that previously may have looked elsewhere. If you could go back in time to 2002, would there have been a better real estate investment location than Dubai? Based on history, the opening of the real estate sector can provide opportunities for early investors that may never be seen again.

Here’s a breakdown of the comparison and how Saudi Arabia is positioning itself to investors:

🔹 1. Different Goals, Different Scale

🔹 2. Vision 2030: A National Overhaul

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 isn’t just about real estate or tourism — it’s about:

🔹 3. Real Estate & Investment

🔹 4. Tourism & Lifestyle

🔹 5. Legal & Cultural Factors

🔹 Final Take: “Saudi Arabia is not the new Dubai — it’s the new Saudi Arabia.”

If you’re thinking from an investment angle, Saudi Arabia may offer:

Since the middle of 2024, you have seen developers enter the Saudi Market, aligned with some of the most prominent names in the Real Estate world. Trump Tower Jeddah, which is due to be followed by a sister tower in 2026 in Riyadh, as well as the launch of a Trump Masterplan with Golf Course and Villas. DAR Global has launched House of Mouawad Villas in Riyadh, which has been purchased by some of the most prominent business people across the world as the value hits the premium residency requirements for its buyers.

We will always keep investors informed on opportunities across both regions and we are excited to see if the new legislative reforms impact the Saudi market as they did the UAE.

Current Saudi Real Estate Investments

New Murabba has set the Riyadh Investment landscape ablaze with the announcement of the world’s largest downtown area. The scale of the project is awe-inspiring, focusing on the world’s largest structure, the ‘Mukaab’. Off-plan Dubai, at the end of 2023 and throughout 2024/25, has aggressively worked the Saudi market, as we believe it holds some of the world’s most interesting opportunities, with the opening of Premium Residency and the level of wealth entering the region.

Off Plan Dubai will be aligning with New Murabba, a PIF-funded developer, and will provide investors with options for purchasing some of the most exciting Real Estate anywhere in the world. As with any significant new development, it is essential to examine both the Pros and potential Cons.

Here’s a comprehensive look at New Murabba and what it means for Riyadh, including whether residential units are a wise investment in New Murabba.

📌 What is New Murabba?

Scale & scope

The Mukaab

Smart & sustainable city

Economic ambition

🌆 Impact on Saudi Arabia & Riyadh Market

Urban tech hub & tourism magnet
It solidifies Riyadh’s position as a global destination for culture and innovation, attracting businesses and talent. New Murabba aim to build the most diverse and forward-thinking Downtown anywhere in the world.

Infrastructure catalyst
With Metro and metro‑adjacent transport links, internal public transit, and proximity to the airport, this zone will redefine connectivity.

Real-estate ripple effect

Foreign investment & stability

🏠 Is Residential a Good Investment?

Pros

Cons

🎯 Final Take — Strategic Investment?

Bottom line: New Murabba is a visionary development that boosts Riyadh’s real estate trajectory. For well-capitalised investors targeting high-end residential, especially those entering early, it presents a strong opportunity — but do your due diligence on construction updates and phasing.

📅 What to Watch

  1. Construction progress — excavation nearly done, vertical build phase starting summer 2025
  2. Transport links — completion dates for metro/rail lines influencing connectivity premium.
  3. Market velocity — rental and sales absorption rates in nearby early‑phase units (some real-time rental → ~SAR 50k/year for 3 BHK in newer Murabba areas)

Conclusion
As a transformational urban development, New Murabba is poised to reshape Riyadh’s skyline and economy. Residential units here are likely among the best positioned for capital growth, especially for investors who are comfortable with multi-year horizons and potential project volatility.

Please let me know if you’d like insights on specific unit types, pricing trends, or financing options.

❌

The floor plans and brochure for this development will be emailed to you once you request further information from us.