Kuwait has introduced tight regulations for non-citizens aiming to buy property, as part of an initiative to prioritize housing for Kuwaiti nationals and stabilize the real estate market.
New regulations differentiate between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens and non-GCC residents, granting GCC nationals the same property rights as Kuwaitis while setting stricter requirements for non-GCC nationals.
Under the new policy, non-GCC nationals must have lived in Kuwait for a minimum of ten years, maintain a clean legal record, a proof of financial stability, and receive approval from the Kuwaiti Council of Ministers to purchase property.
Additionally, non-GCC Arab nationals can own only one property in Kuwait, restricted to a maximum of 1,000 square meters.
Special cases, such as inheritance and citizenship changes, are also addressed in the new rules.
Non-GCC heirs must sell the inherited property within a year unless given special permission, similarly, Kuwaiti women who lose their citizenship and adopt GCC nationality can retain property but may be required to sell if they become non-GCC nationals.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Justice now mandates digital verification of buyers’ citizenship status, especially for those whose citizenship has been revoked.
This policy shift follows the withdrawal of Kuwaiti citizenship from 489 individuals. The updated rules aim to clarify property ownership rights for non-citizens and reinforce economic stability.
