OWNERSHIP · FREEHOLD · RESIDENCY
Own property in Bahrain.
Know exactly how.
Where you can buy, what it costs, and how ownership
can lead to residency, laid out simply, before you land
in Manama.
24 – 28 November 2026
Exhibition World Bahrain
Non-Bahrainis may own real estate on a 100% freehold basis within officially designated areas and developments approved under Kingdom of Bahrain regulations.
INVESTOR INCENTIVES & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
0%
Direct Real Estate Tax
Property investments in Bahrain are subject to 0% personal income tax, 0% capital gains tax, and 0% annual direct property tax on residential real estate.
10 Year
Golden Residency Visa
Foreign buyers purchasing residential real estate valued at BHD 130,000 (~USD 345,000) or more qualify for a 10-Year Renewable Golden Residency Visa. This grants long-term residency, family sponsorship, and complete work authorization.
2–5 Year
Standard Investor Residency
Properties purchased at lower value thresholds (starting from BHD 50,000 / ~USD 132,600) may qualify foreign buyers for self-sponsored renewable residency permits under Ministry of Interior guidelines.
RERA
Regulatory Oversight
Beyond title registration with the SLRB, off-plan real estate developments and project escrow accounts are strictly governed by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA Bahrain) to safeguard investor capital.
WHERE CAN NON-BAHRAINIS OWN FREEHOLD PROPERTY?
Approved areas, mapped by SLRB
Non-Bahrainis may own property in the approved projects below and in designated mixed-use building zones, as shown on the official maps published by the Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB). The maps are the legal reference and are updated from time to time, so always check the latest version before you commit.
Capital Governorate
- Bahrain Bay
- Bahrain Harbour
- Bahrain Marina
- Jawhara Market
- Manama Lagoon
- Nurana
- Reef Island
- Water Garden City
Muharraq Governorate
- Amwaj Islands
- Dilmunia Island
- Diyar Al Muharraq
- Hidd Bay
- Investment Gateway Bahrain
- Muharraq Lagoon
Southern Governorate
- Bilaj Al Jazayer
- Danat Albahrain
- Durrat Al Bahrain
- Nuun Bahrain Project
- Riffa Views
Northern Governorate
- Marsa Al Seef
BEFORE YOU SIGN
Five Checks Before
You Commit
Confirm the Location
Verify on SLRB official maps that the exact plot, tower, or community allows foreign non-Bahraini freehold title deed registration.
Verify Property & Developer
Use SLRB’s Property Check service to confirm the property’s legal status and that it is free from restrictions. For off-plan transactions, confirm the developer is RERA-licensed and payments are held in an authorised escrow account.
Review the Contract
Verify agreed pricing, structural payment milestones, delivery timelines, maintenance fee structures, and party obligations prior to signing.
Prepare Supporting Documents
Ensure valid passports, title deed copies, notarized sales agreements, and proof of financial settlement are fully prepared.
Confirm Necessary Approvals
Where special zone clearance or foreign ownership approvals apply, ensure formal documentation is attached to the application file.
SLRB PROPERTY CHECK
Check the property before you commit
SLRB’s Property Check service lets you confirm a property’s legal status and whether it is free from restrictions that would stop it being sold or transferred at the time you check. It also shows price indicators and average prices of registered properties in the area over the past three years, so you can assess the market before you buy.
THE OWNERSHIP PROCESS
From Agreement to Formal Title Registration
Complete Sales Documentation
Buyer and seller execute the standardised sale and purchase agreement.
Notarise the Contract
Have the sale agreement officially authenticated by a recognized notary public.
Prepare Application File
Compile buyer passports, notarised contract, existing title deed, and identification cards.
Attach Foreign Ownership Approvals
Include necessary authorisation documents for regulated developments where mandatory.
Submit via Watha'iq
File the transfer application online through SLRB's official Watha'iq electronic portal.
Pay Required Registration Fees
Settle government land registration fees upon official application processing.
Track & Receive Title Deed
Track status online until the official SLRB title deed transfer is completed and issued.
RESIDENCY THRESHOLDS
Two Property Values to Know
BHD 130,000
10-Year Golden Residency Visa
About USD 345,000. Residential real estate at or above this value qualifies foreign buyers for a 10-Year Renewable Golden Residency Visa.
BHD 50,000
2-to-5 Year Investor Residency
About USD 132,600. Purchases from this value may qualify for self-sponsored renewable residency permits.
FEES AND TIMELINES
Verified Fee Structures
ITEM / METRIC ITEM / METRIC | ITEM / METRIC OFFICIAL FIGURE | ITEM / METRIC DETAILS & TERMS |
Standard SLRB Registration Fee Standard SLRB Registration Fee | Standard SLRB Registration Fee 2% | Standard SLRB Registration Fee Standard government transfer fee calculated on total property valuation. |
Discounted Registration Fee Discounted Registration Fee | Discounted Registration Fee 1.7% | Discounted Registration Fee Reduced rate applied when application is submitted within 60 days of notarization. |
Application Form Fee Application Form Fee | Application Form Fee BHD 1 | Application Form Fee Fixed administrative form processing charge. |
Published SLRB Processing Time Published SLRB Processing Time | Published SLRB Processing Time 3 Working Days | Published SLRB Processing Time Official turn-around time for title ownership transfer processing. |
Brokerage Commission Brokerage Commission | Brokerage Commission 1.5% – 3% | Brokerage Commission Standard commercial real estate transaction fee (subject to 10% VAT). |
BE READY ON THE DAY
Mandatory Document
Checklist
Original Title Deed
Notarized Sales Contract
Passport Copies for all non-Bahraini Buyers
Foreign Ownership Approval Clearances (where mandatory by zone)
Proof of Payment / Financial Settlement Confirmation
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Property Ownership,
Answered Directly
Yes. Foreign nationals can own freehold real estate with 100% individual ownership rights within government-designated freehold zones.
No. Foreign real estate purchases are restricted to approved zones and master developments mapped out by the SLRB.
Property ownership provides eligibility to apply for residency, but it is not automatic. Buying real estate valued at BHD 130,000+ qualifies investors to apply for the 10-Year Golden Residency Visa, while purchases of BHD 50,000+ qualify for 2-to-5 year investor permits through immigration authorities.
AT CITYSCAPE BAHRAIN
Opportunity becomes action
Meet the people who can answer your ownership questions in person, and plan your purchase before you commit.
CONNECT
Meet the developers, investors, advisors and decision-makers shaping Bahrain's real estate market.
COMPARE
Compare live projects, locations, property types and investment opportunities.
INVEST
Find the opportunity aligned with your ambitions and take your next step with greater confidence.