Moving to Saudi Arabia: taxes, residence and life
How to become tax resident in Saudi Arabia: personal, dividend and corporate tax, 10 residence programmes, tax-residency requirements and climate. Explore the basics and compare residence routes.
Taxes
In Saudi Arabia the top income tax rate is 0%, dividends are taxed at up to 0% and companies pay 20% corporate tax.
How to move and become tax resident
To become tax resident in Saudi Arabia you need at least 30 days a year (Permanent home in KSA + ≥30 days in tax year; or 183 days). The typical route is Premium Residency (unlimited, SAR 800k one-off fee): One-off fee SAR 800k (or SAR 100k/yr limited; or property ≥SAR 4m owner tier); age 21+, financial solvency, clean record, health report There are 10 open residence programmes in Saudi Arabia — see the list below.
Living there
Riyadh has a hot desert climate with winter highs around 20.5 °C and summer highs around 43.5 °C.
Key facts
| Top income tax | 0% |
|---|---|
| Dividend tax | 0% |
| Corporate tax | 20% |
| Residencia fiscal | tras 30 días — Permanent home in KSA + ≥30 days in tax year; or 183 days |
| Vía de residencia típica | Premium Residency (unlimited, SAR 800k one-off fee) — One-off fee SAR 800k (or SAR 100k/yr limited; or property ≥SAR 4m owner tier); age 21+, financial solvency, clean record, health report |
| Tipo de clima | hot desert · 20.5° / 43.5° (Riyadh) |
| Military service | none |
| Taxed for holding the passport | none — Residence-based taxation; citizens abroad not taxed on foreign income |
| Can you give it up? | difficult — Requires royal/Interior approval; loss on unauthorised naturalisation |
| Passport reputation (banks, sanctions) | low risk — Standard KYC; widely accepted by Swiss/international banks |
Residence programmes in Saudi Arabia
Active programmes
- Premium Residency – Unlimited Duration — Inversión CHF 170'400 · 2026-10
- Premium Residency – Limited Duration — investment · 2026-10
- Premium Residency – Real Estate Owner — Inversión CHF 852'000 · 2026-10
- Premium Residency – Investor — Inversión CHF 1'491'000 · 2026-10
- Premium Residency – Entrepreneur — Inversión CHF 85'200 · 2026-10
- Premium Residency – Special Talent — Ingresos / año CHF 35'784 · 2026-10
- Premium Residency – Gifted — other · 2026-10
- MISA Investor Licence – Company-Owner Residence (Iqama) — entrepreneur · 2026-10
- Employment Residence (Iqama) — employment · 2026-10
- Family (Dependant) Residence — Ingresos / año CHF 10'220 · 2026-10
Plan your residence route
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to spend in Saudi Arabia to become tax resident?
tras 30 días. Permanent home in KSA + ≥30 days in tax year; or 183 days No PIT on employment/passive income; non-Saudi business profits taxed 20%; Premium Residency
How much tax will I pay in Saudi Arabia?
In Saudi Arabia the top income tax rate is 0%, dividends are taxed at up to 0% and companies pay 20% corporate tax.
Which residence programmes does Saudi Arabia offer?
Premium Residency – Unlimited Duration (CHF 170'400); Premium Residency – Limited Duration; Premium Residency – Real Estate Owner (CHF 852'000); Premium Residency – Investor (CHF 1'491'000); Premium Residency – Entrepreneur (CHF 85'200)
What is the usual way to move to Saudi Arabia?
Premium Residency (unlimited, SAR 800k one-off fee). One-off fee SAR 800k (or SAR 100k/yr limited; or property ≥SAR 4m owner tier); age 21+, financial solvency, clean record, health report
Compare with nearby countries
Bahrain · Kuwait · Oman · Qatar · United Arab Emirates
General information only — not tax, legal, immigration, investment or financial advice, and no client relationship. Figures are simplified, indicative and may be out of date. Always verify with the official authority and a licensed professional in the country concerned before acting. Partner links, if any, are marked and may earn us a fee.