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Saudi Arabia
Middle East
Lucky Nomads World Index
69.44 / 100
Global rank
#65
Corporate tax
20%
Personal tax
0%
Lucky Nomads Proprietary Indices
22 scoring dimensions scored independently using a deterministic methodology built on primary sources and structured analytical inference.
- SafetyShield Index7.8 / 10
- Affordability Index6.2 / 10
- Entry Ease Index5.2 / 10
- Tax Freedom Index9.1 / 10
- WiFi Index8.7 / 10
- Admin Ease Index7.7 / 10
- Healthcare Index8.1 / 10
- City Comfort Index8.7 / 10
- WeatherComfort Index7.7 / 10
- Banking Index7.0 / 10
- GeoStability Index5.9 / 10
- Justice & Order Index4.8 / 10
- Quality of Life Index8.0 / 10
- Open Society Index3.0 / 10
- Flight Index5.5 / 10
- Environmental Quality Index5.2 / 10
- English Index4.2 / 10
- Wealth Protection Index7.5 / 10
- AI Access Index7.9 / 10
- Economic Openness Index6.3 / 10
- Market Depth Index7.7 / 10
- ClimateShield Index6.5 / 10
Country snapshot
- Capital
- Riyadh
- Population (approx.)
- 35,000,000
- Area (km²)
- 2,149,690 km²
- Currency code (ISO 4217)
- SAR
- Currency name
- Saudi Riyal
- Main airport IATA code
- RUH
- Airport name
- King Khalid International Airport
General facts
- Minimum monthly cost
- From $1,930/month
- Main languages
- Arabic
- Jurisdiction type
- Country
- Region
- Middle East
- Web TLD
- .sa
- Phone calling code
- +966
Web TLD and phone codes are general references and can differ for territories or special numbering plans.
Tax system
- Marginal CIT (corporate income tax)
- 20%HighWorldwide
- Marginal PIT (personal income tax)
- 0%Ultra lowNo personal income tax
Corporate taxation basis: Worldwide. The country generally taxes worldwide income of resident companies.
Resident capital companies are taxed on worldwide income including foreign branches, with foreign tax credit relief. Participation exemption available on dividends with at least 10% holding maintained for 1 year or more. Capital gains on Tadawul-listed shares acquired after 30 July 2004 are exempt subject to conditions. RHQ, SEZ and SILZ regimes overlay material concessions on top of the standard regime.
Headline 20% on the foreign-shareholding portion of resident capital companies and on non-resident permanent establishments. Saudi and GCC nationals are subject to Zakat at 2.5% of the Zakat base instead. Oil and hydrocarbon production is taxed at 50% to 85%. Standard 5% withholding tax applies on dividends, interest and most cross-border services, and 15% on royalties.
Personal income tax basis. No personal income tax. The country has no national personal income tax.
Strict no-personal-income-tax regime since the modern income tax law was enacted. The only individual-level levies are the annual expatriate dependent levy and GOSI social insurance (Saudi employees 21.5% split, non-Saudi 2% paid by employer). No wealth tax, inheritance tax, gift tax, capital gains tax or net worth tax for individuals in their personal capacity.
No personal income tax on employment, investment, capital gains or other personal income for residents and non-residents alike. Saudi and GCC nationals pay Zakat on business wealth, not on personal income. An annual expatriate dependent levy of (USD 1,280) applies per non-Saudi dependent residing in the Kingdom. Mandatory social insurance (GOSI) contributions apply on Saudi-source salaries.
Tax percentages here are editorial reference figures for comparison, not individualized tax advice.
Special tax regimes
For companies
Regional Headquarters Program (RHQ)
AvailableTax incentive package for multinational companies (MNCs) establishing their regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia.
Special Economic Zones (KAEC, Jazan, Ras Al-Khair)
AvailableThree location-based industrial Special Economic Zones administered by the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority (ECZA): King Abdullah…
Cloud Computing Special Economic Zone (CCSEZ)
Available, rules being updatedVirtual Special Economic Zone hosted at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh and dedicated to cloud computing, data…
Special Integrated Logistics Zone (SILZ)
AvailableSpecial Economic Zone located adjacent to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, also known as Riyadh Integrated.
You either qualify for Saudi Arabia's special tax regimes, or you don't. GeoCompass determines your eligibility, highlights the applicable conditions, and helps estimate your potential tax exposure.
Check my eligibilityVisa and mobility
Your access
Visa need and length of stay for Saudi Arabia. Saved on your device.
Overview
- Citizenship by investment
Not currently available
- Residence by investment
Available
- Remote work visa (digital nomad visa)
Not currently available
Programmes
Saudi Arabia lists several residency and mobility routes across residence by investment, business founder routes, work (employer sponsored), talent (points based), talent (outstanding), and family and dependant routes. Lucky Nomads tracks these programmes as editorial reference points. Thresholds, documents, and personal eligibility are evaluated in GeoCompass against your exact profile.
11 programmes listed · 11 are marked available in our editorial review
Residence by investment
4 programmesCapital, property, fund, or declared investment routes that can lead to longer-term residence.
- Available
Business Investor Residency
- Available
Limited Duration Premium Residency
- Available
Real Estate Owner Residency
- Available
Unlimited Duration Premium Residency
Business founder routes
2 programmesFounder, entrepreneur, or company-linked pathways for people building a business locally.
- Available
Entrepreneur Residency (Category 1, Early Stage)
- Available
Entrepreneur Residency (Category 2, Scale Up)
Work (employer sponsored)
2 programmesEmployer-linked permits and skilled employment passes for hired professionals.
- Available
Employment Visa and Iqama (Work Residence Permit)
- Available
Temporary Work Visa
Talent (points based)
1 programmePoints-based or criteria-driven talent routes for in-demand profiles.
- Available
Special Talent Residency (Exceptional Competence)
Talent (outstanding)
1 programmeOutstanding achievement or high-calibre talent categories.
- Available
Gifted Residency (Talent in Culture, Arts and Sport)
Family and dependant routes
1 programmeSpouse, dependant, and family reunion style permits.
- Available
Family Iqama (Dependent Visa)
Not all residency routes are accessible. Some require minimum income, investment thresholds, local substance, or strict eligibility conditions. GeoCompass evaluates which options you can actually secure in Saudi Arabia.
Evaluate my residency optionsVisa and programme labels reflect editorial research, not individualized legal advice. Thresholds, documents, and personal eligibility are evaluated in GeoCompass. Always confirm rules with official government sources before you plan a move.
Dimensions breakdown
Strongest dimensions
- Tax Freedom Index9.1 / 10Exceptional tax freedom
- WiFi Index8.7 / 10High-quality connectivity for remote work
- City Comfort Index8.7 / 10High urban quality of life
Weakest dimensions
- Open Society Index3.0 / 10
- English Index4.2 / 10
Published ranks by index
One row per leaderboard we publish (the composite index plus each proprietary dimension). A rank appears only when this country is currently in the published top 10 for that list. Open a row to see the full ranking. Hover an index name for the same short definition as elsewhere on the site.
This jurisdiction is not in the published top 10 on any of these lists right now.
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Founder, Lucky Nomads · Wealth manager
Researched from official sources, leading global indices and Lucky Nomads' own scoring.
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