Who can work as a broker in Saudi Arabia

This lesson is short on good news for expats, and we prefer to say it clearly. If you are not a Saudi national, you should not plan a career as a licensed broker in Saudi Arabia today. Here is why, and what you can do instead.

The nationality rule

REGA’s own licence conditions do not mention nationality. The rule comes from labour law. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) reserved real estate brokerage and real estate marketing jobs 100% for Saudi nationals, starting 1 October 2021. The same decision also fully localised a few other real estate professions, such as owners’ association work and real estate arbitration.

In July 2026 REGA also confirmed that property advertising is reserved for FAL licence holders. Put the two rules together and the result is simple:

• A non-Saudi cannot be hired as a broker, a sales and rental broker or a property marketer.
• A non-Saudi cannot advertise property for others without a FAL licence.
• An employer who breaks these rules risks penalties, and so do you.

What REGA asks of a licence holder

If you are Saudi, REGA lists four conditions for an individual FAL licence:

1. You are at least 18 years old.
2. You have no conviction for a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, unless your record has been restored.
3. You have completed the qualification programme for each activity.
4. You pay the licence fee.

Lesson 3 walks through each step.

What non-Saudis can still do

Real estate is wider than brokerage. These paths are legal, but each one has limits, so check the details for your case.

• Other real estate roles. In June 2024 HRSD extended localisation to other real estate activities at 70%, for establishments with at least one Saudi employee. That leaves part of those jobs open to non-Saudis, but the title on your contract matters. Ask the employer which job title it will register on Qiwa, the labour platform, and check that it is not one of the fully reserved ones.
• Watch the wider quotas. Sales and marketing roles in general also carry a quota: Magrath reports it rose to 60% Saudization on 19 April 2026. Back office jobs can be tight too.
• Premium Residency. Since June 2026, Premium Residency holders need a dedicated work permit through Qiwa before they start work (Magrath). We found no official rule that opens brokerage or property marketing to them. Do not assume it does: ask HRSD or REGA in writing.
• Investing, not brokering. Since 22 January 2026, non-Saudis can own property under the new foreign ownership law, mostly inside approved zones. Owning is not the same as brokering for others, but it is a real door into the market. Read Buying property in Saudi Arabia as a foreigner.

Advising from abroad

Many Saudi buyers invest in Dubai, Spain or Bali, and many foreign investors now look at Riyadh and Jeddah. A broker licensed in another market can work with Saudi clients for deals in that market, under that market’s rules. That is often the most realistic route for an expat who wants Saudi clients.

For deals inside Saudi Arabia, be careful:

• Article 3 of the Brokerage Law applies to anyone who practises, engages in or benefits from brokerage. It does not limit this by location.
• Article 8 lets a broker work with other brokers, but the law’s definition of a broker covers licensed brokers only.
• So taking a referral fee or a share of commission on a Saudi deal, without a licence, is a grey zone at best. Get advice from a Saudi lawyer before you accept any payment.

What you can safely do is introduce a client to a licensed Saudi firm and let that firm sign the brokerage contract. Explain the general rules of the 2026 ownership law, but leave the deal to the licensed broker.

Questions to ask before you move

1. Which job title will the employer register for me, and is it localised?
2. Will my work include signing brokerage contracts or advertising property? If yes, that requires a FAL licence.
3. Who sponsors my visa and work permit, and on which platform?
4. Can I see the written contract, including pay and commission, before I travel?

Rules on Saudization move fast. Check the official source before you act, and keep any answer from HRSD or REGA in writing. To compare with markets that are open to foreign brokers, see all CloserPass markets.