BNP Paribas Wins Saudi Regional HQ License in Riyadh

The French banking group BNP Paribas has obtained a regional headquarters (RHQ) license in Saudi Arabia as of August 25, 2026, allowing it to expand and coordinate its operations across the Kingdom and Gulf markets from Riyadh.

The license was issued by the وزارة الاستثمار under the Kingdom's Regional Headquarters Program. It grants a formal RHQ status that is separate from the bank's existing banking and investment licenses. BNP Paribas already runs a commercial banking branch in الرياض supervised by the Saudi Central Bank, alongside BNP Paribas Investment Company, a Saudi closed joint stock company licensed by the Capital Market Authority.

In 2025, the group relocated its Saudi offices to مركز الملك عبدالله المالي in الرياض, consolidating its presence in the Kingdom's leading financial hub.

Why the RHQ license matters

Under the current program rules, qualifying regional headquarters benefit from a 0% corporate income tax and 0% withholding tax for 30 years on eligible RHQ activities, plus a 10-year exemption from Saudization requirements for RHQ functions. In return, the RHQ must maintain at least 15 employees, including senior executives overseeing multiple regional countries, and operate as a genuine management hub rather than only a registered office.

The licensing process is handled through the ministry's electronic investment licensing platform, with online submission and document review. Government license fees typically range from SAR 2,000 to SAR 10,000 in the first year, with annual renewals around SAR 2,000, while total year-one outlay can reach roughly SAR 47,000 or more once professional and administrative costs are included.

For the community, the move signals continued confidence among major global institutions in the Kingdom as a regional base, which supports the growth of financial-sector jobs and services in الرياض.

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