Areas Foreigners Can Own Properties In Qatar

Can foreigners own properties in Qatar? Here we will discuss areas where foreigners can own properties in Qatar.

Foreigners can have freehold ownership of property in 10 areas while 16 areas have been identified where they can lease for 99 years.

Under the provisions of the Qatar Law No. 16 of 2018, non-Qataris may own and use real estate in many areas according to the conditions, regulations and procedures, which shall be determined by a decision of the Cabinet based on the proposal of the Committee for the Regulation of Ownership and Use of Non-Qatari Property.

The freehold ownership areas are :-

1. WestBay (66)
2. The Pearl Qatar (66)
3. Al Khor Resort (74)
4. Rawdat Al Jahaniyah (investment area)
5. Al Qassar (administrative area 60)
6. Al Dafna (administrative area 61)
7. Onaiza (administrative area 63)
8. Al Wasail (69)
9. Al Khraij (69)
10. Jabal Theyleeb (69)

These areas offer 100% guaranteed return on investment and will represent a new investment model not only in Qatar, but also in the region and the world, as these areas combine capital development and promote cultural co-existence between developers, owners and investors, given their architectural symbolism that combines different world cultures.

The areas where foreigners can lease real estate for 99 years are:

1. Msheireb (Area 13)
2. Fereej Abdelaziz (14)
3. Doha Al Jadeed (15)
4. New Al Ghanim (16)
5. Al Refaa and Old Al Hitmi (17)
6. Aslata (18)
7. Fereej Bin Mahmoud (22)
8. Fereej Bin Mahmoud (23)
9. Rawdat Al Khail (24)
10. Mansoura (25)
11. Fereej Bin Dirham (25)
12. Najma (26)
13. Umm Ghuwailina (27)
14. Al Khulaifat (28)
15. Al Sadd (38)
16. Al Mirqab Al Jadeed (39)
17. Fereej Al Nasr (39)
18. Doha International Airport area (48)

Only non-Qatari individuals were allowed to own real estate in the country, whether for 99-year use or on free ownership basis. However, the new law and its regulations bestow this privilege also on non-Qatari companies in addition to real estate investment funds, whether these have been established within or outside Qatar.

Foreigners can own properties in Qatar of two types of real estate: offices and shops inside commercial complexes, and residential villas inside residential complexes. This is in accordance with the rules and regulations determined by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment.
Talking about the residency benefits to the new stipulations, owners of real estate valued at a minimum of $200,000 will be issued permanent residency cards for as long as they own the property. For other expatriates, the residency cards are issued for five years, which is renewable, in accordance with Law No 21 of 2015 regulating the Entry, Exit and Residence of Expatriates.

Permanent residency benefits for investors

Expatriates applying for permanent residency need to draw a minimum basic salary of QR20,000 for government sector employees and a total salary of QR30,000 for private sector workers, as stipulated by the Cabinet.
As for the investor category, applicants should have an actual investment valued at $1mn in the country. Those exempted from this condition include military personnel, those born in Qatar and persons who have resided in the country for a period exceeding 50 years.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani had issued Law No 10 of 2018 on permanent residency for non-Qatari individuals in 2018.