Foreign Ownership Rules in Saudi Arabia's Opened Sectors

Foreign investors weighing a move into the Saudi market now have clearer guidance on which sectors allow full ownership and which remain restricted. Under the current framework, 100% foreign ownership is permitted across most sectors, including the fast-growing logistics field, while a handful of activities stay off-limits to fully foreign-owned firms.

Logistics: full foreign ownership allowed

Most logistics activities can be fully foreign-owned, meaning a Saudi partner is not required to establish a foreign-owned limited liability company in the sector. Investors set up or register the business through the investment-licensing process at the Ministry of Investment. The key ongoing requirement is maintaining a valid MISA investment licence.

Sectors still restricted

Not every activity is open to full foreign ownership. Recruitment and labour-supply offices remain among the activities that are not open to 100% foreign ownership. Certain printing, publishing, and audiovisual media activities are likewise excluded from full foreign ownership.

Real estate: a new framework

For property, the focus of the current rules is on foreign real-estate ownership rather than brokerage. A new real-estate ownership framework took effect on 21 January 2026 and requires registration for foreign ownership rights. A REGA fee of 2% currently applies to disposals of covered real-estate rights in Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, and Makkah.

Registered foreign entities also carry continuing obligations: they must submit notifications within 15 days of any change in ownership, control, or independence. For residents and expats considering investment or business formation, the message is to confirm whether an intended activity is open to full foreign ownership before applying, and to plan for the licensing and reporting steps that follow.

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