Kuwait has implemented stricter rules for non-citizens regarding property ownership to ensure economic stability in the real estate sector.
The new regulations establish varying requirements based on the nationality of buyers, differentiating between citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and other foreign nationals. Citizens from GCC nations, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman, now have the same property rights as Kuwaiti citizens, reflecting the region’s strong economic connections.
For non-GCC Arab nationals, specific conditions apply to property ownership. These include a minimum of ten years’ residency in Kuwait, a clean legal history, proof of financial capacity, and approval from the Kuwaiti Council of Ministers. Moreover, non-GCC Arabs are restricted to owning a maximum of 1,000 square meters of property and are limited to one property.
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The new regulations also cover special cases like inheritance and changes in citizenship. Non-GCC heirs inheriting property in Kuwait must sell it within a year unless granted special permission. Kuwaiti women who lose their citizenship but acquire GCC nationality can retain their property, whereas those who adopt non-GCC nationalities may face restrictions or need to sell their property.
Additionally, the Ministry of Justice has introduced a measure requiring notaries to digitally verify citizenship status, particularly for individuals who have had their Kuwaiti citizenship revoked, following the revocation of citizenship from 489 people.
These updated rules are designed to strike a balance between maintaining economic stability and safeguarding national interests, while providing clear guidelines for non-citizen property ownership.
