Saudi to be the fastest growing housing market in the Gulf as foreign ownership opens in 2026 – President of Hilton Mea
Saudi Arabia is set to become the fastest-growing residential market in the Gulf as the Kingdom prepares to open freehold property to foreigners in January and due to a housing shortage, Hilton District President said.
Guy Hutchinson, Hilton’s President for the Middle East and Africa, said that the Legal Shift will be an “important Catalyst” for branded medicines in Riyadh, Jeddah and the Holy Baters, giving holy buyers access to the back of the United Arab Emirates.
“Saudi Arabia is in the first stage of its journey of restricted accommodation, but if foreign ownership opens up the market it will grow rapidly – Riyadh and the holy cities will accelerate quickly,” he said. Arabian business. “The fundamentals are very strong and the changes will open up the market to a new class of consumers.”
The government plans to allow foreign ownership of residences from early 2026 under a new regulatory framework. Shift meets the standards of recording internal migration, which is driven by the headquarters of the Government that requires various firms to get regional jobs in the State or lose access to government contracts. Reports suggest the influx has added to pressure on an already tight housing supply in Riyadh.
Hutchinson said that the combination of legal changes, population growth and the rise of investors means that Saudi Arabia can be a key player in the residential area with production, leading to the world’s completed plans and pipelines.
Hilton has already signed its first residential project in the Kingdom. Curio Remions Osus Eye in Riyadh will be distributed under the curio collection and will target local buyers and international investors when the market opens.
“There is a very diverse consumer mix in the Gulf and Saudi will be no different,” Hutchinson said. “People are looking for primary homes, secondary homes, and long-term investments. There is a lot of comfort that comes from understanding that there is a hospitality product associated with one that will deliver the appropriate technical information.”
The premium residency scheme is expected to support demand by allowing foreign buyers to secure residency through acquisitions. Buyers must purchase an upgraded residential property worth at least SAR4 million that is paid in full and inspected by a Saudi-approved property. Re-occupancy is always allowed as long as the property is occupied.
Although Dubai continues to dominate the world’s branded residential market, Hutchinson Arabia says that developers are quickly introducing used plans and infrastructure investments under the vision of Vision 2030.
“The Gulf will lead the next phase of joint Saudi growth and Saudi Arabia will be a big part of that,” he said. “The changes are creating the conditions for long-term growth.”
Hutchinson added that the mix of domestic end-users, long-term expatriate residents and investors mirrors the buyer’s purchase from Dubai.
“Now this is now home to many people and that will increase in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Saudi Arabia has one of the largest hotel development pipelines in the world. Hutchinson says branded homes will grow alongside hotels as new districts take shape across Riyadh and other cities.
