Yes. Non-Bahrainis, both people and companies, can own buildings, flats and land, but only in areas approved by the government. The rule is Decision No. 43 of 2003, which has been amended several times since.
Approved areas (Decision 43 of 2003 and later changes)
- In Manama, areas with residential and commercial buildings of 10 storeys or more. These include Ahmed Al Fateh district (formerly Juffair), Hoora, Bu Ghazal and the northern suburbs, including the diplomatic zone.
- Seef district.
- Tourist areas such as Durrat, the Bahrain Bay area, Danat Hawar and Amwaj Islands.
- The Bahrain Financial Port, Bandar Al Seef and Pearl Island projects.
- Other areas the Cabinet adds. For example, a 2025 decision replaced the area maps and added Bilaj Al Jazayer to the list.
- Platinum residency holders may also own property outside these areas, except in zones set by the Minister of Justice (Decision 48 of 2023).
Because the list keeps changing, the maps published by the Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB) for each governorate are the best guide to the current boundaries.
How to buy
- The purchase must follow the Land Registration Law and be registered with the SLRB. Its Watha'iq service handles property registration and ownership transfer.
- A company buying property needs property ownership among its objectives, or a board decision approving it.
What people miss
Check the exact plot or building on the SLRB maps before you pay a deposit. Being close to an approved area is not enough.
Steps
- Check the property's location on the SLRB foreign-ownership maps.
- Agree the sale and prepare the documents.
- Register the sale and ownership transfer with the SLRB (Watha'iq service).