New decree regulates real estate ownership by companies, funds, and investment portfolios
- Non-Kuwaiti partners listed on licensed Kuwaiti stock exchanges, along with real estate funds and investment portfolios licensed by Kuwaiti authorities, are permitted to own real estate under specific conditions.
- Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries shall continue to be treated as Kuwaiti citizens regarding the ownership of land and constructed properties within the State of Kuwait, in line with existing legal provisions.
Decree No. 195 of 2025 has been issued to establish regulations governing the ownership of real estate by companies, funds, and investment portfolios, in implementation of Decree Law No. 74 of 1979 concerning the ownership of real estate by non-Kuwaitis, while taking into account the provisions of the same law.
According to Article 1 of the decree, published in the Official Gazette (Kuwait Alyawm), companies with non-Kuwaiti partners listed on licensed Kuwaiti stock exchanges, along with real estate funds and investment portfolios licensed by Kuwaiti authorities, are permitted to own real estate under specific conditions.
The decree clarifies that the purposes of such companies, funds, and portfolios must include engaging in real estate activities. However, it explicitly prohibits dealing in any form—whether through ownership, transfer, or investment—with real estate, plots, or lands designated for private residential purposes, regardless of their location or the project they belong to.
Article 2 of the decree stipulates that its provisions do not affect the rights of entities supervised by the Central Bank of Kuwait or other authorized bodies to own real estate in accordance with the law.
It also reaffirms that citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries shall continue to be treated as Kuwaiti citizens regarding the ownership of land and constructed properties within the State of Kuwait, in line with existing legal provisions.
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