Residence by investment in Qatar: property-linked residency from QAR 730,000

Qatar opened its property market to non-Qataris through Law No. 16 of 2018 on non-Qatari ownership and use of real estate, and Council of Ministers Resolution No. 28 of 2020, which designated 25 areas: nine for freehold ownership and sixteen for usufruct of up to 99 years. Well-known freehold locations include The Pearl, Qetaifan Island, Lusail's Marina and Fox Hills districts. Ownership is possible for residential units, villas within complexes, and shops and offices in malls and mixed-use developments. The same framework links property to residence: an owner of property worth at least QAR 730,000 may obtain a residence permit for themselves and their family that is not tied to an employer and remains available for the duration of ownership. At QAR 3.65 million the owner receives the benefits associated with permanent residency, which include access to government healthcare and education and the right to invest in certain commercial activities.

In October 2025 the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat), working with the Ministries of Interior, Justice and Labour and the Investment Promotion Agency, announced that buyers of qualifying property from USD 200,000 would receive the title deed and residency within days through a single digital platform, and that buyers in projects licensed in 2025 would benefit from the new system. Transfer costs remain modest, with a freehold registration fee of about 0.25% of the property value. Qatar levies no annual property tax, and there is no published minimum stay for the property permit; in practice, however, the permit is maintained only while the property is held, and holders must keep their Qatar ID and residence details current with the Ministry of Interior.

Qatar's tax position is a major attraction. The country applies a territorial system and does not tax salaries, wages or allowances of employed individuals. Individuals are taxed only on qualifying Qatar-source business or professional income, generally at a flat 10%, and there is no tax on personal investment income from abroad, no wealth tax and no inheritance tax. As a result, residence in Qatar does not by itself bring foreign income into the tax net, although clients should still review their home country's exit and continuing-tax rules before relocating.

Property residency is distinct from Qatar's statutory Permanent Residence Card under Law No. 10 of 2018, which the Ministry of Interior grants mainly to long-term residents (20 years for those born abroad, 10 years for those born in Qatar) with sufficient income, good conduct and Arabic, and to certain relatives of Qatari citizens or persons of exceptional service. Citizenship is more restrictive still: Law No. 38 of 2005 requires at least 25 consecutive years of regular residence and a good command of Arabic, naturalisation is discretionary, and the original nationality may be retained only in limited public-interest cases. For investors, Qatar is therefore best viewed as a stable, tax-efficient Gulf residence rather than a route to a second passport.