Executive Key Takeaways
- •Jeddah's designated zones cover Central Jeddah and Development Areas 1–55
- •The areas are published as numbered zones on the official portal map, not as district names
- •Being inside a zone is necessary but not sufficient — buyer eligibility is a separate test
- •REGA may add zones later, so always verify against the current map
Jeddah Has One of the Widest Allocations in the Kingdom
The geographic scope document for non-Saudi ownership was approved by the Council of Ministers on 23 June 2026, under the law issued by Royal Decree M/14. Jeddah's allocation is among the broadest of any city: historic Central Jeddah, plus 55 development areas numbered 1 through 55 and distributed across the governorate. By comparison, Riyadh's zones are concentrated in named flagship projects such as Qiddiya, New Murabba, Diriyah Gate and King Salman Park.
What "Development Areas 1–55" Actually Means
The 55 areas are defined as mapped polygons with boundaries, not as a published list of district names. That distinction matters: a well-known district may fall partly inside a designated area and partly outside it, and neighbouring plots on the same street can differ. Any article — including this one — that gives you a list of district names is interpreting the map rather than quoting it. The boundaries themselves are published on the official portal.
How to Verify a Specific Property
Check the property's location against the official zone map on the Saudi Properties portal (saudiproperties.rega.gov.sa) before any commitment. Verify by title deed and plot details rather than by district name or the seller's description. If the property is still under development, confirm both the plot's zone status and the developer's licensing. Treat a broker's assurance that an area "is open to foreigners" as a starting point for your own check, never as the check itself.
Location Is Only Half the Test
A property sitting inside a designated zone does not by itself make you eligible to buy it. Eligibility is assessed separately: residents apply through the Saudi Properties portal using their Iqama, while non-residents need a digital identity obtained through a Saudi embassy, a bank account in the Kingdom and a local contact number. Companies route through the Ministry of Investment and the unified 700 number. Both tests — the property's location and the buyer's status — must be satisfied.
The Map Is Current, Not Final
REGA has indicated that additional zones remain possible without committing to a timeline. For buyers, that means two things: an area outside the map today may not be outside it permanently, and any zone list copied from a news article ages the moment the map is updated. Check the portal at the time of purchase, not at the time of research.
“The address decides whether the property can be bought. Your status decides whether you can buy it.”
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