Article 7 of the Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis Law

This article deals with entities of a special nature that are neither individuals nor companies, and distinguishes two categories:

1. Diplomatic missions accredited in the Kingdom (such as embassies): they may own their official premises and housing for their head and members, on a reciprocal basis, meaning to the extent that the mission's country treats Saudi missions in the same way.
2. International and regional bodies: they may own their official premises only, within the limits of the agreements that govern them. The article does not mention housing for their members.

In both cases it is a condition to obtain the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; ownership does not take place without this approval.

The permission here is not an absolute right: for missions it is restricted by the principle of reciprocity, for bodies by the limits of their agreements, and it is confined to the premises mentioned and does not extend to other real estate. This article comes after Article 6, which provides that ownership gives no rights or privileges beyond those of an owner of the real right, and before Article 8 on the registration of non-Saudi entities and the validity of ownership once entered in the real estate register.

Entities that need to examine their position may consult a lawyer specialized in international or real estate matters.