Is Saudi Arabia tax free for expats?
Henry Morales
Published Feb 14, 2026
Like many Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia has no tax on business income and no tax on investment income. Expats from the United States can apply for a permit at any Saudi Arabian embassy. Since there are no taxes on earned income or capital gains, individuals are not required to file a tax return.
How much do expats earn in Saudi Arabia?
Average Asian expat salaries in Saudi Arabia rose 8.3 per cent, reaching $11,066 from $10,214 from last year. Western expats saw slightly slower salary growth of 7.7 per cent, reaching $14,302 in 2015 from $13,274 in 2014. While Arab pay packets saw growth of four per cent, rising from $13,042 to $13,567.
How many expats left Saudi in 2020?
The estimated migration happening to KSA per day is 237. In 2020, the General Authority for Statistics reported a drop in numbers and forecasted that Saudi Arabia would shed 1.2 million expats over the year….Saudi Arabia Population by Nationality in 2021.
| Nationality | Population (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Somalia | 65,000 |
Is salary tax free in Saudi Arabia?
There is no individual income tax scheme in Saudi Arabia. Income tax is not imposed on an individual’s earnings if they are derived only from employment in Saudi Arabia.
Do foreigners pay tax in Saudi?
There is no personal income tax in Saudi Arabia. A flat income tax rate of 20% is applied to the tax-adjusted profit of resident non-Saudi and non-GCC individuals. The withholding tax rates are: Management fees are taxed at 20%.
Is Saudi Arabia safe for expats?
So, how safe is Saudi Arabia for expats or tourists? In general, Saudi Arabia is a very safe country for residents, visitors and tourists. Threat levels are low. There are few if any instances of muggings, terrorist attacks, street violence, personal injury and very little crime.
Can you marry an expat in Saudi Arabia?
Only Muslims can marry in Saudi Arabia, therefore expat couples of other faiths need to wed outside the country; or at the embassy of either partner. They must hand a translated version of their marriage certificate to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be authenticated.
Can a foreigner own property in Saudi Arabia?
However, foreign residents can now purchase property units in most parts of Saudi Arabia, subject to approvals from the licensing authority. Only Saudis may own property in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina; although inheritances are exempt. Non-Saudi Muslims can take out renewable leases of up to two years within these cities.
What’s the life like for an expat in Saudi Arabia?
Either way, though, guest workers, as expat staff are referred to, agree on a couple of things: life in Saudi Arabia is vastly different from anywhere else. An expat posting can be enormously lucrative here, but any prospective expat is bound to have plenty of questions. So, what is life in Saudi Arabia like?
How is the population of Saudi Arabia estimated?
Several authentic sources like World Bank, United Nations, WorldoMeters.info, WorldPopulationReview.com and PopulationPyramid.net have estimated the population of several countries including Saudi Arabia until 2050.
