46,900 New Companies Formed in Saudi Arabia in H1 2026

Saudi Arabia established 46,900 new companies during the first half of 2026, in a clear sign of strong commercial activity across the Kingdom.

Over the same six-month period, the center delivered more than 2.9 million services to business establishments, registered 86,800 establishments, and verified 3,500 online stores. The total number of active commercial registrations surpassed 1.9 million by the second quarter of 2026, with roughly 71,000 new registrations issued in Q2 alone, bringing the overall count to more than 1.91 million.

Women now account for about 47% of newly issued commercial registrations in 2026, with Riyadh, Makkah, and the Eastern Province leading regional activity. Construction, wholesale and retail trade, and accommodation and food services stand out as the top sectors, together representing around half of all new records.

Streamlined licensing and digital services

The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing issued and renewed more than 274,000 commercial licences in the first half of the year, including over 97,000 new licences and more than 177,000 renewals. Authorities also processed over 91,000 licence amendments, more than 43,000 requests to add commercial activities, and over 39,000 ownership transfers.

Setting up a business has become faster, with same-day company formation now common for standard structures. Establishing a standard limited liability company typically involves reserving and registering the commercial name, issuing the commercial registration, registering with municipal licensing, tax and social insurance systems, and activating the company's digital identity — most steps completed online through unified government platforms linked to national digital identity and authentication systems.

For residents and expats considering starting a business, the 2026 environment offers reduced paperwork, consolidated government services, and simpler procedures, reflecting the Kingdom's ongoing push to make entrepreneurship more accessible.

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