Yes — Saudi nationals can buy any type of property in London with a Saudi passport and no restrictions whatsoever. The United Kingdom places no limits on foreign nationals purchasing residential or commercial property, regardless of nationality, country of residence, or visa status. A Saudi citizen living in Riyadh with no UK connection can buy a London flat, house, or commercial building through exactly the same legal process as a UK citizen.
This is not always what Saudi buyers expect — some countries impose meaningful restrictions on foreign property ownership, and buyers sometimes assume the UK does the same. It does not. The legal right to purchase is absolute. The complexity for Saudi buyers, as for all non-UK-resident buyers, lies in the specific tax treatment — primarily the stamp duty surcharges that apply to non-UK-resident purchasers — and in the practical process of completing a transaction from abroad.
The Legal Position: Unrestricted Purchase Rights
Saudi nationals may purchase:
- Freehold houses and properties — where you own the building and land outright in perpetuity
- Leasehold flats and apartments — where you own a long lease (typically 99 to 999 years) on the property
- New build residential properties — from developers, chain-free
- Buy-to-let investment properties
- Commercial property and mixed-use buildings
- Properties held in a company structure
You do not need a UK visa to buy. You do not need to be a UK resident. You do not need a UK bank account, though having one significantly simplifies the transaction. No approval from any UK government body is required.
Read also- do I pay stamp duty as a foreign buyer
Stamp Duty: The Most Important Cost to Calculate First
For Saudi buyers, as for all non-UK-resident buyers, stamp duty is the largest and most important upfront cost — and for buyers who own property elsewhere in the world, it is substantially higher than the standard rate.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) applies to all residential property purchases in England and Northern Ireland. Three components may apply to a Saudi buyer:
Standard SDLT rates (from 1 April 2025):
- 0% on the first £125,000
- 2% on £125,001 to £250,000
- 5% on £250,001 to £925,000
- 10% on £925,001 to £1,500,000
- 12% above £1,500,000
Non-resident surcharge (+2%): Saudi buyers who have spent fewer than 183 days in the UK in the 12-month period before completion are classified as non-UK resident for SDLT purposes and pay an additional 2% surcharge across all bands. Nationality does not determine residency for SDLT — physical presence over 183 days in the prior year does. A Saudi national who has lived and worked in the UK for a year and spent over 183 days here does not pay the surcharge.
Additional dwelling surcharge (+5%): If you already own any residential property anywhere in the world — including in Saudi Arabia — and this London purchase is not replacing your main residence, the 5% additional dwelling surcharge applies on top of all other rates.
How the surcharges stack for a typical Saudi buyer:
Most Saudi buyers purchasing in London own property in Saudi Arabia and are not UK residents. This means all three components apply: standard rates + 5% additional dwelling + 2% non-resident.
Worked example at £1,000,000:
| Component | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Standard SDLT | Banded | £43,750 |
| Additional dwelling surcharge | 5% × £1,000,000 | £50,000 |
| Non-resident surcharge | 2% × £1,000,000 | £20,000 |
| Total SDLT | £113,750 |
At this purchase price, total stamp duty represents 11.375% of the purchase price — more than double the standard rate for a UK resident buying their only property. Calculate this figure precisely with your solicitor before making any offer. It is a non-negotiable upfront cost that significantly affects the economics of the transaction.
SDLT refund route: If you become UK resident within twelve months of completion — by spending at least 183 days in the UK in the twelve months following purchase — you can apply to HMRC for a refund of the 2% non-resident surcharge. The application must be made within two years of completion.
The Purchase Process for Saudi Buyers
The purchase process is identical to any UK residential transaction. The key practical considerations for Saudi buyers are the remote execution mechanics and the documentation required.
Step 1 — Instruct a UK solicitor with Gulf client experience. This is the most important first appointment. A solicitor familiar with Saudi buyers understands the SDLT surcharge stacking, the anti-money laundering documentation requirements for Gulf clients, the Power of Attorney process (if you will not be physically present at completion), and the currency transfer logistics. Instruct them before making any offer.
Step 2 — Anti-money laundering documentation. UK solicitors are legally required to verify the identity of all clients and the source of funds for all property purchases. For Saudi buyers, this typically requires: certified copies of your Saudi national ID and passport, evidence of the source of funds (typically bank statements for twelve to twenty-four months, or documented evidence of a property sale, business proceeds, or inheritance), and sometimes more extensive wealth documentation depending on the purchase amount. Assembling this documentation before the transaction begins avoids delays at critical moments.
Step 3 — Virtual viewings and survey. Most Saudi buyers purchase with the benefit of in-person viewings — London is a common destination for Saudi families during the summer season, and many buyers have viewed properties in person. Where viewing remotely, request a live video walkthrough, a full external inspection, and a RICS Level 3 Building Survey that compensates for the remote buyer’s absence of personal physical assessment.
Step 4 — Power of Attorney. If you will not be physically present in the UK at exchange and completion, a Power of Attorney authorises your solicitor to execute documents on your behalf. Saudi powers of attorney typically require notarisation in the Kingdom and an apostille certification for UK recognition. Your solicitor will advise on the specific requirements.
Step 5 — Currency transfer. Completion funds must arrive in your solicitor’s UK client account in sterling. Using a specialist FX provider rather than a bank typically saves 0.5 to 2% on the conversion — on a £1,000,000 purchase this is £5,000 to £20,000. Book a forward contract in advance to fix the exchange rate and eliminate currency risk between offer acceptance and completion.
Step 6 — Exchange and completion. Exchange of contracts is the legally binding moment — at this point, a deposit (typically 10% of the purchase price) is transferred and the completion date is fixed. Withdrawal after exchange forfeits the deposit. Completion transfers legal title; SDLT must be filed and paid within 14 days.
Read also- How to buy London property without visiting the UK
Leasehold: What Saudi Buyers Must Understand
The majority of London flats are leasehold — you own a long lease rather than freehold ownership of the land and building. This is a fundamental difference from most Saudi property ownership conventions, where freehold ownership is standard.
A leasehold flat with a 999-year lease and a zero ground rent clause (required for new leases from 2022 and for extended leases) is a very good ownership position — the long lease and no ongoing ground rent cost make it functionally similar to freehold for most practical purposes.
A leasehold flat with fewer than 80 years remaining on the lease is a serious due diligence issue — extension costs rise significantly below this threshold, and many mortgage lenders will not lend on short-lease properties. Under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, leaseholders can now extend their lease to 990 years immediately on purchase.
Your solicitor must check and report to you specifically on: remaining lease term, annual service charge and history, ground rent terms, any anticipated major works, and the freeholder’s management track record.
For official HMRC guidance on SDLT for non-UK residents, check: GOV.UK — SDLT non-resident surcharge
Ongoing Tax Obligations After Purchase
Owning London property creates UK tax obligations that apply regardless of where you live.
Council tax. The annual local government tax paid by the occupier. If you let the property, the tenant pays. If the property is empty, you pay.
Rental income tax. If you let the property while living abroad, rental income is subject to UK income tax. The Non-Resident Landlord Scheme enables HMRC to collect tax through your UK letting agent. A UK accountant who handles non-resident landlord returns is advisable.
Capital gains tax on disposal. Saudi nationals, like all non-UK residents, are subject to UK CGT on gains from UK residential property. Since April 2015, non-residents must report and pay CGT within 60 days of completing a sale.
High Value Council Tax Surcharge (from April 2028). A new annual charge of £2,500 to £7,500 applies to homeowners with properties valued above £2 million in England. This is payable by the homeowner, not the occupier.
For Law Society guidance on finding a solicitor experienced with international transactions, check: Law Society — find a solicitor
Conclusion
Saudi nationals can buy any type of property in London with full legal rights and no restrictions. The primary financial complexity is the stacking of SDLT surcharges — standard rates plus 5% additional dwelling plus 2% non-resident for most Saudi buyers — which can exceed 11% of the purchase price on a £1 million property. Instructing a UK solicitor with Gulf client experience, assembling AML documentation early, planning the Power of Attorney and currency transfer, and calculating the full SDLT position before any offer are the four most important practical steps.
Frequently Asked Question
Can I get a UK mortgage as a Saudi national?
Saudi nationals living in Saudi Arabia can access specialist and private bank UK mortgage products for non-resident buyers — typically requiring a minimum 30 to 40% deposit. The mainstream UK mortgage market is primarily accessible to UK residents. Many Saudi buyers at the London price points typical for Gulf buyers (£1 million and above) purchase in cash, which simplifies the transaction significantly.
Do Saudi buyers need a UK visa to purchase London property?
No — you do not need a UK visa, UK residency, or any UK immigration status to purchase property in England. The purchase process can be completed entirely remotely with a Power of Attorney authorising your UK solicitor to act on your behalf if you do not wish to travel to the UK for exchange and completion.
How much stamp duty does a Saudi buyer pay on a London property?
Most Saudi buyers pay standard SDLT rates plus the 5% additional dwelling surcharge plus the 2% non-resident surcharge. On a £1 million purchase, this totals approximately £113,750 — around 11.4% of the purchase price. On a £500,000 purchase the total is approximately £52,500. Calculate the precise amount with your UK solicitor before making an offer.
