Key Legislative Changes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2026

19 min 19 sec October 15, 2026 (Edited) الترجمة العربية

Written by

Omar Amery

Partner, Head of Litigation - Al Khobar

o.amery@tamimi.com

Ahmed Abdulbaqi

A.Abdulbaqi@tamimi.com View LinkedIn Profile

The year 2026 witnessed a remarkable legislative movement in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, consistent with the pace of comprehensive transformation the Kingdom is undergoing within the framework of “Saudi Vision 2030” objectives. During the months of this year, the Saudi Council of Ministers approved a package of new regulations and controls that touched key aspects of the lives of citizens, residents, and investors alike — starting with the enforcement judiciary, which redefined the creditor-debtor relationship, through the general education system that established a unified framework for all pre-university education stages, copyright that kept pace with the era of artificial intelligence, non-Saudi real estate ownership that opened unprecedented investment horizons, all the way to the system for managing seized and confiscated funds in money laundering and terrorism financing cases, and controls on the stay of GCC-registered vehicles within the Kingdom. These six regulations, though differing in their fields, all intersect in one goal: building a modern legislative system that is more transparent and efficient, keeping pace with the rapid economic, social, and technological transformations, and enhancing the Kingdom’s position as an attractive investment environment and a protector of rights. In this article, we review in some detail the most prominent of these regulations, the dates of their approval, publication, and enforcement, and the most important substantive amendments they contained that affected the regulatory landscape in the Kingdom. 

First: The New Enforcement Law 

– Approval, Publication, and Enforcement 

The new Enforcement Law is considered one of the most prominent milestones of transformation in the Saudi judicial system during 2026. The Council of Ministers approved the law in its session held on April 14, 2026, in preparation for its publication in the Official Gazette “Umm Al-Qura,” following intensive efforts led by the Ministry of Justice under the leadership of Minister of Justice Dr. Walid bin Mohammed Al-Samaani to accelerate the recovery of rights and improve the efficiency of enforcement judiciary. The pace of media and legal discussion about the details of the law accelerated during the months of April and May 2026, as multiple legal platforms covered it as a comprehensive “re-engineering” of enforcement justice in the Kingdom. 

– Key Substantive Changes 

1. Abolition of Enforcement Imprisonment for Financial Obligations 

This is considered the most prominent transformation in the new law; the philosophy of enforcement shifted from “physical restriction of the individual” to “direct access to funds.” Imprisonment was abolished with regard to financial obligations in general, and enforcement became focused on the debtor’s funds and assets instead of affecting their personal freedom. This transformation establishes the principle of “enforcement against property, not against the person,” ending a long era of linking financial default to deprivation of liberty, replacing it with strict digital tools for tracking wealth and liquidating assets. 

2. New Controls on Travel Bans 

Travel ban procedures underwent a substantive amendment; instead of the total and automatic ban that was previously prevalent, the ban became subject to specific controls and a defined time period. The purpose of this is to avoid disrupting the debtor’s life or preventing them from conducting their business that may help them repay, unless it is proven that they deliberately evaded fulfilling their obligations. 

3. Statute of Limitations for Enforcement Instruments Within Ten Years 

The law set a statute of limitations for enforcement instruments at ten years, which contributes to the stability of the legal positions of the parties and limits the indefinite suspension of claims. 

4. Requirement of Electronic Documentation for Enforcement Instruments 

The law mandated the electronic registration of enforcement instruments through official platforms, to ensure their enforcement power and reduce disputes related to proof. This digital transformation enhances the reliability of instruments and reduces opportunities for manipulation or forgery. 

5. Broader Tools for Asset Discovery 

The law adopted expanded tools enabling the enforcement court to uncover the debtor’s funds and assets more effectively, ensuring a greater balance between the creditor’s right to collect their debt and the debtor’s right not to be subjected to abuse. 

6. Consideration of Family Aspects in Enforcement 

The new law did not overlook the humanitarian and family dimension; it emphasized consideration of all family aspects during enforcement, especially in matters of custody, visitation, and family enforcement, granting utmost priority to the best interest of the child when enforcing custody and visitation rulings, while establishing controls that prevent the use of compulsory enforcement in a manner that harms the psychological stability of children in custody due to family disputes. The law also strengthened urgent protection for rights of a humanitarian nature, where it emphasized the immediate enforcement of alimony rulings and urgent rulings related to seeing or handing over a minor, without being bound by some customary procedures, to ensure that these rights related to daily life are not delayed. 

7. Deportation of Non-Saudi Convicted Individuals 

The law stipulated the deportation of a non-Saudi convicted individual after serving their sentence, and banning them from entering the Kingdom in the future, with the exception of performing Hajj or Umrah rituals according to specific controls. 

8. Transfer of the Burden of Proving Reciprocity in Enforcing Foreign Judgments 

The law transferred the burden of proving the fulfillment of the reciprocity condition in enforcing foreign judgments to the applicant for enforcement themselves, which enhances the principle of transparency and prevents the misuse of enforcement procedures by those who do not meet the reciprocity conditions with their countries. 

Second: The General Education Law 

Approval, Publication, and Enforcement 

The new General Education Law was issued by Royal Decree and its full text was published in the Official Gazette “Umm Al-Qura” on 10 Safar 1448 AH, corresponding to July 24, 2026. This law is considered a qualitative and historic leap in the governance and regulation of education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it officially takes effect 180 days after its publication date, thereby repealing all previous provisions that conflict with it. 

Key Substantive Changes 

1. Unifying the Regulatory Framework from Nursery to Grade Twelve 

The law expanded the concept of “general education” to include nursery and kindergarten stages, and grades one through twelve, within a unified legal framework that had not been this comprehensive before. The law also defined “early childhood stage” as the education and care provided from the beginning of nursery through the end of the third grade of primary school, a new definition reflecting growing attention to the foundational early years of a child’s life. 

2. Integration of Virtual Education into the General Education System 

Among the notable developments in the law is the official incorporation of “virtual educational institutions” into the general education system, including governmental or licensed private electronic institutions and platforms providing electronic educational services for any educational stage, keeping pace with the accelerating digital transformation in the education sector globally. 

3. Compulsory Education Age 

The law set the compulsory education age to extend from 6 to 15 years, affirming that general education is a right for all and free in public schools, which establishes the principle of equal educational opportunities among all members of society. 

4. Involvement of the Private and Non-Profit Sectors 

The law affirmed the importance of involving the private sector and the non-profit sector in providing general education services and raising the quality of services provided, including providing specialized education in a specific field, or operating, managing, and investing in government buildings, in a step that opens the door to broader private sector participation in educational development. 

5. Regulation of Private Schools and Their Fees 

The Ministry was entrusted with the task of supervising private schools and issuing their licenses, and setting fee adjustment standards approved by the competent council, with each institution setting its fees according to these standards. The law imposed penalties for violations including fines ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 Saudi Riyals, and the penalty in the most severe cases may reach complete revocation of the license. The law also affirmed that the Ministry, upon detecting any violation in a private educational institution, is obligated to ensure that students’ educational progress is not affected or their rights lost due to that violation. 

6. Investigation Committees for Teacher and Administrator Violations 

The law stipulated the formation of one or more committees by decision of the Minister of Education to investigate violations by administrative staff and teachers in public educational institutions, provided that the committee consists of at least three members, including a specialist in the educational aspect and another in human resources, chaired by a Sharia or legal advisor. The law granted those against whom a penalty was issued the right to appeal before the competent judicial authority within 60 days from the date of their knowledge of the decision, achieving a balance between controlling violations and protecting the rights of appellants. 

7. General Education Affairs Council 

The law stipulated that the General Education Affairs Council shall meet at least once every 90 days, chaired by the Minister of Education, to follow up on the implementation of the law’s provisions and supervise its application. 

8. Repeal of the Adult Education and Literacy Eradication Law with Transitional Provisions 

The Royal Decree stipulated the repeal of the existing Adult Education and Literacy Eradication Law, while continuing to apply the regulatory provisions contained therein until the necessary provisions are approved by the General Education Affairs Council, within a period not exceeding one year from the date of enforcement of the new law, ensuring no regulatory vacuum occurs in this area. 

Third: The Copyright Law 

Approval, Publication, and Enforcement 

The Saudi Council of Ministers approved the new Copyright Protection Law in its session held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, pursuant to Resolution No. (560) dated 08/08/1447 AH. The law was then published in the Official Gazette “Umm Al-Qura” on 25/8/1447 AH, corresponding to February 13, 2026, replacing the previous law issued approximately twenty-three years ago. The law is scheduled to take effect 180 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, i.e., as of August 12, 2026. 

Key Substantive Changes 

1. Exception Related to Artificial Intelligence Training 

Among the most prominent and important developments of the new law is the creation of an exception allowing the copying of works for the purposes of training and developing artificial intelligence products and algorithms, which was not regulated at all in the previous law. This exception reflects the Saudi legislator’s comprehension of emerging technologies and their requirements, and places the Kingdom among the countries that seek to balance the rights of creators with the requirements of contemporary technological innovation. 

2. Regulation of Neighboring Rights to Copyright 

The new law regulated neighboring rights to copyright more clearly, precisely delineating the legal positions of the holders of these rights (such as performing artists, producers of sound recordings, and broadcasting organizations), which previously lacked clear and detailed regulation under the former law. 

3. Perpetual Moral Rights of the Author 

The law affirmed that the moral rights of the author are perpetual rights that do not expire by statute of limitations, may not be waived or seized, and transfer to the author’s heirs upon their death. These rights include: 

• Right of Paternity (Attribution): The author’s right to have the work attributed to them and their name mentioned on it with every use or publication, or to publish it under a pseudonym or without a name if they so choose. 

• Right of Publication: The author’s right to decide on the first publication of their work, and to determine the method and timing of publication. 

• Right of Withdrawal: The author’s right to withdraw their work from circulation if serious reasons arise justifying such withdrawal, with the obligation to compensate those harmed by this withdrawal. 

• Right of Integrity of the Work: The author’s right to object to any modification, deletion, addition, or distortion that affects their work and causes harm to their reputation or literary honor. 

4. Stricter Penalties Against Infringers 

The law imposed more stringent deterrent penalties than its predecessor against copyright infringers, including unauthorized alteration and distortion of works, and unauthorized broadcasting and public display of audio or visual works in public places without a license. The law also stipulated the doubling of penalties in cases of repeat offenses, and authorized the competent court to order the closure of the violating establishment in cases where circumstances warrant. 

5. Regulation of Internet Content Providers’ Liability 

The law included detailed provisions regarding the liability of internet content providers for infringements committed by users of their services; the content provider is not considered a party to the infringement if specific conditions are met, the most prominent of which are: that the transmission, storage, and display of data is purely automatic and technical without substantive modification of its content, that they are not aware of the existence of the infringement, that they promptly remove the infringing content upon becoming aware of it within a reasonable time, and that they establish measures enabling the rights holder to notify them of any infringement using their service. This regulation keeps pace with international practices in dealing with the liability of digital intermediaries, achieving a balance between protecting authors’ rights and not imposing absolute liability on technical service providers for what their users publish. 

Fourth: The Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership Law 

Approval, Publication, and Enforcement 

The year 2026 witnessed major updates to the non-Saudi real estate ownership law, as the new law entered into force as of January 22, 2026, i.e., 180 days after its official publication in the Official Gazette. This law replaces the previous law issued since 1390 AH, within a broader strategic direction to open the field for non-Saudis to purchase real estate in geographically defined areas, and according to new controls that achieve a balance between encouraging foreign investment and maintaining the stability of the local real estate market. 

Key Substantive Changes 

1. Defining Geographic Zones for Ownership 

Instead of the general undefined framework that previously existed, the new law established specific geographic zones in which non-Saudis are permitted to own real estate, allowing the relevant authorities to control density and real estate distribution in a manner that serves the Kingdom’s urban and economic planning. 

2. Registration Requirements for Foreign Companies 

The law required foreign companies wishing to own real estate to register with the Ministry of Investment, disclose the direct and indirect owners of the company, in addition to appointing a legal representative within the Kingdom, opening a local bank account, and obtaining an official registration number before commencing any ownership procedures. The law also imposed ongoing supervisory and disclosure obligations regarding any substantive changes that subsequently occur to the ownership or control of the owning company. 

3. Defining the Purpose of Ownership 

The law allows non-Saudis to own real estate for the purposes of private residence or for conducting commercial activity, provided that the necessary licenses are obtained from the Ministry of Interior or the Ministry of Investment, depending on the type of residence and the purpose of ownership, ensuring that each ownership is linked to a clear and specific purpose that can be monitored and supervised. 

4. Imposition of Fines on Violators 

The regulator in the implementing regulations of the same law set violations ranging from 1% to 10 million Riyals, in addition to selling the property and issuing warnings. 

Fifth: The Law on Management of Seized and Confiscated Funds in Money Laundering Crimes, Related Predicate Offenses, and Terrorism Financing Crimes 

Approval, Publication, and Enforcement 

This law was issued pursuant to Council of Ministers Resolution No. (16) dated 1/1/1448 AH, and was published in the Official Gazette “Umm Al-Qura” in its issue No. (5164) dated 3/1/1448 AH. 

Key Changes and Substantive Features 

1. Precise Definitions for Seized and Confiscated Funds 

The law precisely defined what is meant by “seized funds,” which are funds for which a seizure order has been issued by the competent court or by the competent authority, in accordance with the provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering Law or the Anti-Terrorism Crimes and Financing Law. “Confiscated funds” are the funds, proceeds of crime, or instrumentalities for which a final judicial ruling has been issued by the competent court ordering permanent deprivation and forfeiture thereof. 

2. Objectives of the Law 

The law explicitly stated that it aims to regulate the preservation of seized funds in a manner that ensures their protection from exploitation, concealment, or encroachment, and to regulate the management of seized and confiscated funds in a manner that serves the public and private interest, and contributes to supporting economic and social development in the Kingdom. Thus, the role of the law is not limited to the punitive aspect alone, but extends to the optimal investment of these funds for the benefit of the national economy. 

3. Assignment of the Task to the General Authority for Guardianship over Minors’ Funds 

The “General Authority for Guardianship over the Funds of Minors and Those of Similar Status” undertakes the preservation and management of seized funds in accordance with the provisions of the law, based on an order from the competent court to transfer these funds to the Authority, upon a request from the competent authority for their preservation or management. Assigning this task to a specialized entity with experience in fund management (although originally specialized in minors’ funds) represents a qualitative expansion of its competencies, and reflects legislative confidence in its institutional capacity to manage complex and diverse assets. 

4. Competencies of the Authority’s Board of Directors in Preserving and Managing Funds 

According to Article Four of the law, the Authority’s Board of Directors, in order to achieve the preservation and management of seized funds, undertakes several tasks, the most prominent of which is developing plans, rules, and methods for preserving and managing these funds in a manner consistent with the nature of each type (whether cash, real estate, shares, commercial establishments, or others), which allows procedural flexibility that takes into account the diversity of assets subject to seizure or confiscation. 

5. Enhancing Financial Compliance Responsibility for Companies and Institutions 

With the entry into force of this law, the responsibility of companies and financial and commercial institutions in implementing financial compliance policies increases, as any negligence in due diligence regarding the sources of funds of clients or partners may expose the commercial entity to legal suspicion that may lead to the freezing of its accounts or precautionary seizure of its assets, imposing a higher level of vigilance and internal governance on the private sector. 

Sixth: Controls on the Stay of Vehicles Registered in a GCC Member State in Saudi Arabia 

Approval, Publication, and Enforcement 

The Saudi Council of Ministers approved the “Controls on the Stay of Vehicles Registered in a Member State of the Gulf Cooperation Council in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” pursuant to Council of Ministers Resolution No. (637). These controls were published in the Official Gazette “Umm Al-Qura” on February 26, 2026. The controls consist of only seven articles and take effect 180 days after their publication date, i.e., as of August 27, 2026, which is the date the controls actually entered into force, coinciding with the issuance of the Implementing Regulations for the Controls on the Stay of Vehicles Registered in a Member State of the Gulf Cooperation Council in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

Key Provisions and Substantive Changes 

1. Scope of Application of the Controls 

The controls apply to a private vehicle for which a road driving license has been issued by the competent authority in any of the GCC member states (other than the Kingdom), and is owned by a citizen or resident within the Kingdom, or either of them has been authorized to drive it. The controls exempted vehicles rented from licensed rental establishments in any of the GCC states, taking into account the reality of tourism and cross-border business movement within the Gulf. 

2. Maximum Permitted Duration for Vehicle Stay 

The new controls stipulated that a GCC vehicle may not remain in the Kingdom for a period or periods totaling more than 90 days, whether continuous or intermittent, and this period is calculated within a time cycle of 365 days, starting from the first day the vehicle enters through the customs port. 

3. Mechanism for Requesting an Extension of Stay 

The controls allowed the vehicle owner, or the person authorized to drive it, to apply to the Ministry of Interior for an extension of the period before its expiration, and the Ministry may grant this extension according to the circumstances it deems appropriate. Subsequent executive details specified that this extension can be for an additional period not exceeding 30 days, and the request for this service can be submitted through the government “Absher” platform, facilitating the procedure for beneficiaries without the need for in-person visits. 

4. Mandatory Registration of Vehicle Data at the Customs Port 

The controls required the vehicle owner, or the person authorized to drive it, to register the vehicle’s data at the customs port upon entry, according to the requirements and procedures determined by the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority, allowing the linking of entry data with customs ports to ensure accurate calculation of stay periods and the automated and reliable application of relevant regulations. 

5. Coordination Among Competent Authorities 

The Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority provides the Ministry of Interior with the necessary data for the application of these controls. 

6. Penalties for Violators 

The controls stipulated that whoever exceeds the legally prescribed period for the vehicle’s stay within the Kingdom shall be penalized in accordance with the Saudi Traffic Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/85) dated 26/10/1428 AH and its amendments. The executive procedures for the Controls on the Stay of Vehicles Registered in a Member State of the Gulf Cooperation Council in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stated in Article Five: Fines and Penalties, that the violation shall not be less than 1,000 and not more than 2,000 Saudi Riyals, and the vehicle shall be impounded until the violation is rectified, with the vehicle owner bearing any amounts resulting from the towing and impoundment of the vehicle. 

These six regulations, which were approved, published, or entered into force during 2026, reflect the scale of legislative transformation taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of its journey toward achieving the objectives of Vision 2030. From the enforcement judiciary that ended the era of debtor imprisonment in favor of tracking funds and assets, to a unified educational system that keeps pace with digital transformation, to copyright that accommodates the era of artificial intelligence, to a real estate market more open to foreign investment, to a strict system for managing seized and confiscated funds that enhances financial transparency, to precise regulatory control over the movement of GCC vehicles — the features of a state that is rebuilding its legislative infrastructure in an integrated and interconnected manner become clear, where each regulation serves and complements the others within the vision of the Kingdom, which God has honored with Islam and its rulers, may God protect them. 

It should be noted that during the current year, other regulations, bylaws, and resolutions were also issued, such as: 

• The State Revenues Law. 

• The Handicrafts and Manual Industries Law. 

• The Entertainment Activities and Supporting Activities Law. 

• The Implementing Regulations of the Associations and Civil Institutions Law. 

• The Rules Regulating the Financial Consulting Profession (for non-securities). 

• Warning to all who committed a violation of non-disclosure of beneficial owner data. 

• The Organizational Arrangements for the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy. 

• The shutdown and permanent closure of the “Murasalat” platform, and the establishment and development of the “National Platform for Government Correspondence.” 

• Approval of the General Authority for Roads Regulation. 

• Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.