Buying a home in Saudi Arabia is a big decision, and for many families the hardest part isn’t choosing the property. It’s figuring out how to finance it.
Which bank should you approach? How much cash do you need upfront? Are you eligible? And for many buyers, there is another important question: how is home financing structured from a Sharia perspective?
To make that part of the journey easier, Basri Developments now offers a dedicated mortgage service. Our team helps guide buyers from the initial eligibility check through financing, documentation and final handover, so you don’t have to navigate banks and approvals on your own.
Understand what you may qualify for before committing to a property.
See the down payment, taxes, fees and other upfront costs together.
Support with offers, paperwork and coordination through the final transfer.
The Common Challenges in Preparing the Funds
Many buyers can manage the monthly installment. The difficult part is often preparing the cash and meeting the requirements that come before the bank releases the financing.
The Down Payment
For a Saudi citizen buying a first home, SAMA permits financing of up to 90% of the property’s value. That means a buyer may still need to provide the remaining 10% themselves. Source: Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).
The Costs Beyond the Down Payment
The purchase price isn’t the whole picture. Buyers should also plan for applicable taxes, bank fees, valuation, insurance and any brokerage or service charges.
Your Existing Debts
Existing car finance, personal finance and other monthly obligations can reduce the amount available for home financing. SAMA applies debt-burden limits to help determine affordability.
Saving While Paying Rent
Building a down payment while continuing to pay monthly rent can be one of the biggest hurdles for families preparing to buy.
Salary Transfer and Paperwork
Bank requirements vary. Salary history, employer details, probation status, a recent job change or self-employment can all affect how an application is assessed and which documents are required.
A Simple Down-Payment Example
This illustrates the maximum 90% first-home financing permitted for eligible Saudi citizens. The bank’s actual offer still depends on affordability, credit assessment and its own lending criteria.
Costs to Plan for Separately
First-time buyers who qualify under government housing programmes may have access to different down-payment or financing support options. Eligibility should be confirmed directly before relying on any subsidy as part of your purchase plan.
Who Is Eligible for Home Finance in Saudi Arabia?
Every bank has its own exact criteria, but most home-finance applications are assessed around the same core factors: income, age, existing obligations, credit history, property eligibility and residency status.
| Criteria | Saudi Citizens | Non-Saudi Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Minimum and maximum age requirements vary by bank and finance term. | Similar, with requirements varying by bank. |
| Maximum Financing | Up to 90% of the value of a qualifying first home. | Usually lower and dependent on the bank and applicant profile. |
| Down Payment | Typically from 10% for qualifying first-home financing, subject to the bank. | Often higher than for Saudi first-home buyers and dependent on the lender. |
| Debt Burden | Subject to SAMA responsible-lending limits and the applicant’s income profile. | Subject to SAMA responsible-lending limits and bank assessment. |
| Income Proof | Usually salary/employment evidence and bank statements. | Usually salary/employment evidence, bank statements and valid residency documentation. |
| Credit Record | Credit history is reviewed through SIMAH. | Credit history is reviewed through SIMAH. |
| Finance Term | Depends on the lender, product, age and programme. | Depends on the lender, product, age and residency profile. |
Indicative criteria only. Final eligibility and finance terms are set by the individual bank or finance company.
What About Makkah and Madinah?
Saudi Arabia’s updated non-Saudi property ownership framework came into force in January 2026. Muslim non-Saudi individuals may own property in Makkah and Madinah within the designated geographic areas and subject to the applicable ownership rules.
Because both ownership eligibility and bank financing can depend on the specific property and applicant, speak with the Basri team before committing to a unit. Source: Real Estate General Authority (REGA).
Documents to Prepare Early
Having the basic documents ready can make the financing process much smoother and reduce unnecessary back-and-forth with the bank.
Usually covering the period requested by the lender.
If you are applying through an eligible government programme.
Basri can help coordinate the property side of the process.
Is Saudi Home Finance Riba, or Is It Profit?
This is an important question for many Muslim buyers, and the answer depends on how the finance contract is actually structured—not simply what the monthly payment looks like.
Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Finance Law requires licensed real-estate finance providers to conduct financing in a manner that does not conflict with Sharia principles, based on decisions made by the relevant Sharia committees.
This is why Saudi home-finance products are commonly structured as transactions such as Murabaha or Ijara rather than a conventional interest-bearing cash loan.
Source: Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), Real Estate Finance Law.
Murabaha
In a Murabaha structure, the financier purchases the property and then sells it to the customer at an agreed price that includes a disclosed profit. The customer pays that agreed price over the financing term.
Ijara
In an Ijara structure, the financier acquires the property and leases it to the customer under an agreed arrangement that can ultimately lead to ownership, subject to the terms of the contract.
The key distinction cited in Islamic finance is the underlying contractual structure—such as a sale or lease involving an asset—rather than simply the size of the monthly installment. Individual products and contracts should still be reviewed on their own terms.
If Sharia compliance is an important part of your decision, you can also ask the financing institution for information about its Sharia committee and the approval of the specific product you are considering. Basri’s team can help you raise those questions with the lender.
How Basri’s Mortgage Service Helps
Basri isn’t the bank. Our role is to help you understand the process, prepare properly and coordinate the financing around the property you actually want to buy.
The mortgage service is available to both Saudi citizens and eligible Iqama holders. Requirements can differ for expatriate applicants, so we help identify what the relevant lender is likely to need before the application moves forward.
Eligibility Check
We review your income, current obligations and relevant housing-support status to help establish a realistic financing range.
Funding Plan
We map out the cash you may need for the down payment, applicable taxes, fees, valuation and insurance so you can plan before reaching the signing stage.
Bank Matching
We help you compare available Sharia-compliant home-finance options and understand differences in profit rates, terms and conditions.
Paperwork
We help organize the required documentation and coordinate the submission process to reduce avoidable delays and back-and-forth.
Through to Handover
We coordinate between the buyer, financing institution and property side of the transaction through the final transfer and handover process.
Basri Mortgage Service Fee
Support from eligibility assessment through the financing process.
Ready to Find Out What You May Qualify For?
Speak with the Basri team and start with a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your likely financing position, what documents to prepare and the next steps toward buying your home.