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SAMA Mortgage Rules for Non-Saudi Buyers

SAMA's LTV caps, income-multiple limits, and who can actually get a Saudi mortgage as a non-Saudi resident. Al Rajhi, SNB, Riyad Bank — what the spread looks like.

Strategy1 March 20269 min

SAMA caps LTVs at 90% for Saudi nationals on primary residence (first-time-buyer programmes can push higher with government support) and typically 70% for non-Saudi residents on freehold purchases.

Debt-service ratio cap: 55% of monthly income is the headline SAMA ceiling. In practice, banks stress-test at 65% to allow for rate moves.

Major lenders: Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi National Bank (SNB), Riyad Bank, Alinma and Banque Saudi Fransi have the deepest non-Saudi mortgage desks.

Rates: Saudi mortgages are typically tied to SAIBOR + a margin (150-250bps). Fixed-rate products are rarer than Gulf peers and expensive.

Saudi Data Sources

Commentary cross-referenced to GASTAT, REGA, SAMA, Ministry of Housing, SPR Center, MISA, and JLL / Knight Frank KSA quarterly reports.

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