Saudi Arabia
SAUSaudi Arabia is one of the fastest-growing expat hubs in the world, undergoing a sweeping Vision 2030 transformation that has opened the Kingdom to tourism and international talent. The country levies no personal income tax, and new tourist visas and a Premium Residency programme are attracting high-net-worth individuals and skilled professionals at an unprecedented rate.
→ If you hold a Saudi Arabia passport, see the Saudi Arabia nationality guidePassport Rank
#65
Visa-Free
80
destinations
Country Details
- Capital
- Riyadh
- Currency
- Saudi Riyal (SAR)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Population
- 36,000,000
- Tax System
- No Income Tax
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Naturalisation
- 10 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Desert / Arid
- English Proficiency Rank
- #55
Indices
Cost of Living
48
Safety
72
Healthcare
67
Quality of Life
152
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- No Income Tax
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 10 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
Cost of Living by City
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| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | $1,100 | $700 | $380 | $60 | $35 |
| Jeddah | $950 | $620 | $360 | $58 | $30 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Riyadh
Rainfall range: 0–15 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)
Jeddah
Rainfall range: 0–20 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 99
- Language Test
- Yes (Arabic proficiency required; high standard expected)
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- $0
- Processing
- ~60 months
Real Estate
- Avg price/sqm (capital)
- $1,600
- Transaction taxes
- 5%
Foreign buyers: Foreign nationals are generally prohibited from owning real estate in Saudi Arabia outside designated areas. Non-Muslim foreigners may not own property in Mecca or Medina under any circumstances. Foreigners with Saudi residency (Iqama) may purchase one property for personal use subject to government approval. Riyadh SAR 4,000-8,000/sqm ($1,100-2,100/sqm). The NEOM and Red Sea Project zones have specific rules for foreign investors. Premium gated compounds for expatriates dominate the expat rental market. Property purchases for foreigners remain rare; most expatriates rent through company-provided housing.
International Schools
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| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| American International School Riyadh | Riyadh | US + IB | $16,000–$28,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
135 Mbps median
72% fibre coverage
eSIM: STC (Saudi Telecom), Mobily (Etihad Etisalat), Zain Saudi Arabia
Driving
IDP required
Local licence required after 0 months
Exchange eligible: Drives on the RIGHT. Women have been permitted to drive since June 2018 (Royal Decree). IDP valid for foreign visitors. Nationals of GCC states and several Western countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea and others) can exchange their home licence directly for a Saudi licence at the traffic department without retesting. Other nationalities must pass the Saudi driving test.
Pet Relocation
Quarantine: none
Rabies titre required
EU pet passport: not accepted
Safety
GPI Rank
#99
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠overcharging informal taxis — use Uber or Careem apps
- ⚠counterfeit goods in Balad district (Jeddah) souk
- ⚠investment fraud schemes targeting expatriate workers' remittances
- ⚠online rental scams for furnished apartments
Examples of areas to avoid: Expatriates should not travel to Yemen border region (Jizan, Najran, Asir — Houthi missile risk), Areas with large informal labour settlements at night in Riyadh industrial districts
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Not legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Not recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- No
- ILGA Rank
- #168
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Widely available
- Kosher Food
- Limited
- Prayer Facilities
- Common
Sample Citizenship Test Questions
Q1. What is the name of Saudi Arabia's founding king who unified the Arabian Peninsula in 1932?
Answer: King Abdulaziz Al Saud (Ibn Saud)
Source: Ministry of Interior — Saudi Nationality
Q2. What is the name of Saudi Arabia's Vision for economic diversification and social reform targeting the year 2030?
Answer: Vision 2030
Source: Ministry of Interior — Saudi Nationality
Related Guides
Zero and low-tax residencies: the real list
Countries with zero personal income tax, territorial-only taxation, or special expatriate regimes — and what each one actually requires from you to qualify as a resident.
Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave
Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.