A Turning Point for the Legal Talent Market
In July 2025, the Saudi Arabian government published a landmark law allowing expanded real estate ownership by non-Saudi nationals. Scheduled to take effect on 21 January 2026, the legislation represents a fundamental shift in how foreign individuals and businesses can invest in Saudi property, and it is already reshaping demand across the Saudi legal talent market.
While the law itself is focused on real estate and investment, its wider implications are legal, regulatory, and commercial. For law firms, in-house legal teams, and legal professionals operating in or advising on Saudi Arabia, this reform marks the beginning of a significant recruitment cycle driven by foreign capital inflows, complex transactions, and heightened compliance requirements.
Why This Law Matters for the Legal Market
Saudi Arabia has historically maintained a cautious approach to foreign ownership of land and property. Under earlier legislation, foreign ownership was permitted only in limited circumstances, often tied to investment licences, ministerial approvals, or narrowly defined commercial activities.
The 2025 Real Estate Ownership Law for Non-Saudis replaces this framework with a structured and predictable regime, creating clearer pathways for foreign individuals, companies, investment funds, and institutions to acquire real estate, while retaining regulatory oversight.
This shift is not accidental. It aligns directly with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s long-term strategy to:
- Attract international investment
- Deepen capital markets
- Encourage multinational companies to establish long-term regional bases
As real estate becomes a viable asset class for foreign investors, the legal complexity surrounding transactions, structuring, and compliance increases sharply driving demand for specialised legal talent.
Key Legal Changes Driving Demand
Designated Ownership Zones
Foreign ownership will generally be permitted within specific geographic zones, to be approved by the Council of Ministers and overseen by the Real Estate General Authority (REGA). These zones are expected to include major commercial and economic centres such as Riyadh and Jeddah.
For lawyers, this introduces:
- Zoning and land-use advisory work
- Regulatory interpretation as zones are defined and refined
- Transactional complexity tied to location-specific rules
Legal professionals with experience navigating Saudi regulatory authorities will be particularly sought after.
Residential Ownership by Non-Saudis
The law allows non-Saudi residents to own one residential property for personal use, even outside designated zones, subject to approval (excluding Makkah and Madinah).
This change may appear modest, but it:
- Increases transactional volumes
- Introduces new individual investor profiles
- Expands the scope of conveyancing, registration, and compliance work
It also requires lawyers who can explain Saudi property law clearly to foreign clients unfamiliar with local processes.
Commercial and Operational Real Estate
Licensed foreign companies can now acquire real estate for:
- Offices and operational premises
- Employee housing
- Commercial development projects
Ownership may take the form of full title or other recognised in-rem rights, with minimum investment thresholds expected to be set out in implementing regulations.
This is where legal demand is expected to accelerate fastest, particularly in:
- Cross-border structuring
- Joint ventures and co-investment models
- Development agreements and financing structures
Lawyers with combined real estate and corporate expertise will be in high demand.
Holy Cities: Highly Regulated but No Longer Closed
While Makkah and Madinah remain tightly controlled, the law introduces limited ownership pathways for:
- Muslim non-Saudi individuals
- Certain foreign-owned Saudi companies
Even limited access to these markets introduces significant regulatory complexity, creating demand for lawyers with deep local knowledge and regulatory credibility.
Compliance, Registration, and Risk Management
All foreign-owned property must be:
- Properly registered with REGA
- Fully compliant with ownership conditions
Penalties for breach are substantial, including fines of up to SAR 10 million and forced disposal of property.
As a result, compliance advisory is no longer optional. Legal teams will need:
- Ongoing regulatory monitoring
- Internal compliance frameworks
- Clear reporting and documentation systems
This is driving demand not only for transactional lawyers, but also for regulatory, compliance, and governance specialists.
The Impact on Legal Recruitment in Saudi Arabia
- Increased Demand for Real Estate Specialists
Law firms are already anticipating increased deal flow ahead of the January 2026 implementation date. As a result, demand is rising for lawyers with:
- Saudi real estate transaction experience
- Title, registration, and zoning expertise
- Familiarity with REGA and government interfaces
Senior associates and partners with proven deal experience will be particularly valuable.
- Strong Appetite for Cross-Border and Corporate Expertise
Foreign investors rarely invest without sophisticated structuring. Legal recruiters are seeing increased interest in lawyers with:
- Cross-border transaction experience
- Joint venture and investment fund knowledge
- Corporate structuring and governance expertise
Candidates who can bridge international investor expectations with Saudi regulatory reality have a clear competitive advantage.
- Growth in In-House Legal Roles
Multinational companies expanding their Saudi footprint will increasingly look to:
- Build in-house legal and compliance teams
- Hire lawyers with both commercial and regulatory experience
- Strengthen governance around real estate portfolios
This presents attractive opportunities for lawyers seeking long-term roles within operating businesses, rather than traditional law firm pathways.
- Early-Mover Advantage for Talent
As with previous regulatory shifts in Saudi Arabia, professionals who build expertise early in the lifecycle of the law will benefit most. Lawyers with experience advising on:
- Implementing regulations
- Early transactions under the new regime
- First-wave compliance frameworks
are likely to command premium compensation and accelerated career progression.
What Law Firms and Legal Teams Should Be Doing Now
With the January 2026 implementation date approaching, firms and in-house teams should already be:
- Assessing capability gaps in real estate, regulatory, and corporate advisory
- Hiring or relocating lawyers with relevant Saudi experience
- Investing in training around the new law and expected regulations
From a recruitment perspective, this is a candidate-driven market in the making.
A Structural Shift in Legal Talent Demand
Saudi Arabia’s new foreign real estate ownership law is more than a regulatory reform, it is a market catalyst.
By opening structured pathways for foreign ownership, the Kingdom is creating:
- Increased transactional activity
- Greater regulatory complexity
- Sustained demand for specialised legal expertise
For the legal recruitment market, this represents a multi-year opportunity. Firms and businesses that move early to secure the right legal talent will be best positioned to capitalise on the influx of foreign investment. As January 2026 approaches, one thing is clear, the competition for top-tier Saudi real estate and investment lawyers is only just beginning.
Contact Us
To discuss career opportunities in Saudi or your current recruitment requirements, please contact:
Alex Hepworth
alex.hepworth@wearebuchanan.com