Relocation intelligence

🇸🇦 Moving to Saudi Arabia: tax, residency and cost of living

0% income tax

Thinking of moving to Saudi Arabia? Here is the tax, residency, property and quality-of-life picture in plain numbers, with sources.

Key facts

Top income tax
0%
Corporate tax
20%
Capital gains
0%
Wealth tax
No
Inheritance tax
No
Cost of living index
48
Safety
8/10
Internet quality
8/10
Visa-free destinations
89
Foreigners can own property
Yes
Residency in
0 months
Citizenship in
0 years

Taxes

Saudi Arabia levies no personal income tax on salaries or private investment income. Corporate income tax is 20% for entities with foreign ownership; Saudi and GCC ownership pays zakat (2.5%). VAT is 15%. No wealth tax, no inheritance tax.

Residency and visas

Premium Residency (the 'Saudi green card'): unlimited duration for a one-time SAR 800,000 (approx. €196,000) or renewable for SAR 100,000 (approx. €24,500) per year. Since 2024 there are also categories for investors, entrepreneurs, top talent and real estate owners (property from SAR 4 million). The employer-sponsored work iqama remains the standard route.

Property ownership

Since 21 January 2026, foreigners may own real estate in designated zones (including in Riyadh and Jeddah); foreign residents may additionally own one residential unit for personal use. Makkah and Madinah remain largely excluded. Registration is mandatory and a transfer levy of up to 5% may apply.

Cost of living and quality of life

The cost of living is considerably lower than in Western Europe (Numbeo index ±48). High safety, excellent internet infrastructure and decent healthcare in the major cities. Conservative social norms and a hot desert climate require adjustment; English is common in business settings.

Passport and mobility

The Saudi passport grants visa-free access to approximately 89 countries/territories (Henley 2026), relatively limited. Expats keep their own passport; naturalization is exceptional and discretionary.

Residency and visas

  • Premium Residency — Unlimited Duration (الإقامة المميزة الدائمة) · €196,000
  • Premium Residency — Limited Duration (jaarlijks verlengbaar) · €24,500
  • Premium Residency — Real Estate Owner · €980,000
  • Premium Residency — Investor (SAR 7 mln + 10 banen) · €1,715,000
  • Werk-iqama (werkgever-sponsoring)

Why people move to Saudi Arabia

  • 0% income tax on salaries and private investment income

    Saudi Arabia has no personal income tax, no wealth tax and no inheritance tax. Whatever you earn or make in returns, you keep in full. The 15% VAT on consumption is the main levy you notice in practice.

  • Premium Residency: residence without an employer sponsor

    Premium Residency grants residence rights without the classic kafala sponsor: a one-time SAR 800,000 for unlimited duration, SAR 100,000 per year renewable, or via the categories for investors, entrepreneurs, talent and real estate owners (since 2024). Family members, parents included, can come along.

  • Vision 2030: real estate and the economy open up to foreigners

    Since 21 January 2026, foreigners can buy real estate in designated zones of Riyadh, Jeddah and other areas; residents may additionally own one home of their own. Together with the megaprojects and the fast-growing non-oil sector, this makes Saudi Arabia one of the fastest-opening economies in the Middle East.

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Sources

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