The Qatari government plays a crucial role in shaping the real estate landscape by imposing specific conditions and regulations. These measures serve to oversee the real estate industry, safeguard the interests of consumers, and maintain the integrity of the local real estate market. They compel firms to adhere to legal norms and maintain predefined standards by fostering a fair and transparent real estate environment.
The foreign real estate brokerage companies must follow these rules to operate in Qatar. These rules and regulations constitute the conditions and controls for licensing non-Qatari real estate brokerage firms.
Real Estate opportunities available to Non-Qatari
In Qatar, non-Qatari citizens have access to a variety of real estate ownership and usufruct options. These options include 16 areas where they can enjoy 99-year usufruct rights and 9 areas where freehold ownership is permitted for property owners.
Additionally, non-Qatari citizens can acquire residential units within residential complexes. They can also acquire offices and shops within commercial complexes throughout the country. This broad range of choices provides ample opportunities for non-Qatari citizens to invest in Qatar’s real estate market.
The usufruct areas for non-Qatari residents includes: Mshereib (13), Fereej Abdul Aziz (14), Al Doha Aljadeeda (15), Old Al Ghanim (16), Al Rufaa and Old Al Hitmi (17), Al Salata (18), Fereej Bin Mahmoud (22), Fereej Bin Mahmoud (23), Rawdat Al Khail (24), Al Mansoura and Fereej Bin Durham (25), Najma (26), Um Ghuwailina (27), Al Khulaifat (28), Al Sadd (38), Al Mirqab Al Jadeed and Fereej Al Nasr (39), and the Doha International Airport Area (48).
The freehold areas for non-Qatari include: West Bay-Legtaifiya(66), The Pearl (66), Al Khor Resort (74), Lusail (69), Al Kharaj (69), Jabel Thuaileb(69), Aldafna (60), Aldafna (61), Onaiza (63).
Limitations for a Non-Qatari in Owning Real Estate
As per the real estate ownership regulations in Qatar, there is no fixed limit on the number of properties an individual can own within the “freehold areas”. In these freehold areas, individuals can own as many properties as they desire when investing in real estate.
However, if they wish to own properties in residential complexes that are located outside of these “freehold areas” then there is a different rule that applies. In such areas, individuals are allowed to own only one housing unit in residential complexes. It means that if they want to invest in real estate outside the freehold zones then they are limited to owning a single housing unit in any given residential complex as per the prevailing rules and regulations. The sole purpose of this limitation is to control property ownership and distribution in non-freehold areas.
Requirements for obtaining residency in Qatar:
- The first important condition to qualify for real estate residency is that the property’s value must exceed 730,000 Qatari riyals.
- The second important condition to obtain real estate residency with additional privileges of permanent residency which includes benefits like access to healthcare, education, and participation in certain economic activities is that the property’s value should exceed QAR 3,650,000 (three million, six hundred and fifty thousand Qatari riyals).
If in case the real estate’s value falls below 730,000 Qatari riyals, then the owner or beneficiary can purchase the property without obtaining residency.
To apply for real estate ownership or use in Qatar, individuals can follow these simple steps:
- Visit the Ministry of Justice website (www.moj.gov.qa).
- Select the electronic services section.
- Navigate to the option for submitting a purchase request for foreign investors.
- Fill in the required information along with attaching the title deed, a copy of the ID/passport, and also attach a certificate of good conduct if you are a Non-Qatari resident as it is mandatory.
Furthermore, individuals can also obtain information and guidance on real estate ownership and residency application procedures for non-Qataris through two specific offices:
- The office for non-Qatari ownership and use of real estate in Al Mahara building which is located in the Pearl District.
- The office for non-Qatari ownership and use of real estate in the Lusail area (Lusail Real Estate Development Company) is operated by the Qatari Diar Company.
These offices can provide you with assistance and clarification regarding the process of owning and using real estate in the State of Qatar.
Contact details of these offices are mentioned below:
Pearl Office Phone Number – 40216669
Lusail Office Phone Number – 40216674 / 40216675
Email – nqo@moj.gov.qa