Investing in Saudi Arabia: registration, PPP and support

Saudi Arabia is one of EUROBRIDGE's target markets. PPP there is governed by the 2021 Private Sector Participation Law, the country is a member of ICSID and a party to the New York Convention, and its investment treaty with Ukraine has been in force since 2008. The Ministry of Investment (MISA) offers foreign companies online registration, one-stop-shop centres and support programmes.

This guide is based on MISA's official Investor Guide (13th edition, March 2026), which we checked on 24 October 2026.

1. Check that your activity is open to investment under the ISIC4 classification and whether it is available or restricted.
2. Prepare the foreign partner's commercial registration and the latest annual financial statements, both authenticated by the Saudi embassy. Special Residency Permit holders are exempt from these documents.
3. Check the capital and Saudi participation requirements for your activity.
4. Apply on the MISA e-services portal. Estimated processing time is 10 working days.
5. Pay the fee set by the ministry within the deadline in the notice, or the registration lapses.

For PPP projects the key point is that a foreign company that has won a government or semi-government contract can register temporarily, solely to perform it. You need a letter from the authority or the signed project implementation contract, and the registration ends when the contract does.

A foreign company with no business activity in the country can also register solely to own real estate. There is no fee, and it takes about 10 working days.

• Trading with a Saudi partner: capital from SAR 26,666,667 and at least 25% Saudi participation.
• Fully foreign-owned trading: capital from SAR 30,000,000, presence in at least three markets, investment of at least SAR 300 million over five years (or SAR 200 million with localisation) and training 30% of Saudi employees every year.
• Communications: Saudi participation of at least 40%.
• Annual registration update, and an updated commercial registration within 30 days of any ownership change.

• Strategic Investor Program: a dedicated relationship manager, advice on regulation and incentives, help with licences.
• MIZA programme: free access to private service providers in 12 areas.
• Investors Matchmaking: a free service to find partners and present investment opportunities.
• Business visit visa in 1–3 working days with an invitation via the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.

In the catalogue, choose Saudi Arabia as the country to see matching projects, and save the search to get new ones by email. The Saudi Arabia law page brings together the PPP law, dispute resolution and the practical steps from the MISA guide, with links to the official texts.