In a significant step towards strengthening urban development and real estate reform, the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing (MOMRAH) has announced the issuance of the updated Executive Regulations for the White Land Fees on 28/2/1447H (22 August 2025). The new regulations form part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to promote efficient land use, stimulate housing development, and achieve the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The construction sector in Saudi Arabia continues to play a central role in advancing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. With a robust pipeline of giga-projects and infrastructure expansion, the need to manage tax obligations with precision has never been more critical. While the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime applies broadly across industries, the construction sector has distinct features that require careful attention to avoid compliance risks and cash flow challenges.
Saudi Arabia is currently experiencing rapid growth in its construction industry. The government has invested heavily in large-scale projects that are designed to further diversify the nation’s economy, stimulate economic growth, and improve the quality of life for Saudi citizens. These include developing alternative sources of energy, constructing new cities and public transportation systems, and building entirely new cities designed to break away from traditional urban planning and zoning.
When the Saudi government developed their national transformation plan, one of its primary goals was to create an environment that would encourage the growth of the real estate industry in Saudi Arabia. Vision 2030 outlined various ways this could be achieved, one of which was their goal to build 300,000 new housing units over the next five years. Over 106,000 new housing units have already been constructed, with a further 101,000 currently under construction. This investment has injected much-needed diversity into the current housing stock, creating a surge of new jobs in construction and related industries such as architecture.
Tax Alert: New 5 per cent tax on real estate transactions in Saudi Arabia.
Practical insights and examples on IFRS 15 Revenue Recognition for companies in the real estate and construction industries.