Real Estate Future Forum Opens in Riyadh as Saudi Market Prepares for Foreign Ownership Push

Riyadh: The Real Estate Future Forum opened on its first day at the Four Seasons Riyadh, bringing together leading local and international stakeholders to discuss the rapid growth and future direction of Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector.

With new regulations, laws and large-scale investment programmes being implemented, officials said 2026 is expected to mark a major phase of progress for the Kingdom’s property market.

The forum opened with a presentation highlighting achievements in the sector and the forum’s role in expanding global engagement, with organisers pointing to agreements expected to reach a combined value of $50 billion.

This year’s event is placing strong focus on Saudi Arabia’s move to allow foreign property ownership, which is being positioned as a key milestone expected to enhance investment activity and broaden market participation.

The three-day forum will also introduce the Real Estate Excellence Award, with finalists scheduled to be announced during the summit.

Minister of Municipalities and Housing and Chairman of the Real Estate General Authority Majed Al-Hogail addressed participants and outlined key achievements and upcoming milestones for the sector. He stressed the importance of maintaining “real estate balance” through regulatory tools designed to support long-term growth, referencing measures such as the White Land Tax.

Highlighting housing progress under Vision 2030, Al-Hogail said Saudi family home ownership increased from 47 percent in 2016 to 66 per cent in 2025, keeping the Kingdom on track to achieve its 70 percent target by the end of the decade.

He added that opening the real estate market to foreign ownership reflects the sector’s maturity and said the ministry plans to build over 300,000 housing units in Riyadh over the next three years.

Speaking separately, Al-Hogail said local demand has expanded significantly, with mortgage financing exceeding SR900 billion. He also highlighted the role of the Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company in injecting liquidity into the market, including more than SR54 billion from local and international sources.

Al-Hogail described Makkah and Madinah as key locations within Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector due to their unique market potential and attraction for investment.

Meanwhile, Al-Ahsa Governor Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr Al-Saud said the Kingdom’s ability to develop real estate while preserving heritage sites is a major strength. He added that strong infrastructure supports broader goals such as tourism growth, improved quality of life and increased investment under Vision 2030.