Can foreigners buy property in Jordan?
Yes, but only with the Minister of Interior's approval. Reciprocity applies except to Arab nationals, and non-Jordanians are barred from border, archaeological and historic areas. Law No. 17 of 2026, published in September 2026, also lets foreigners own or lease a private residence outside urban planning zones up to 10 dunums with the Finance Minister's approval.
Sources: Ministry of Interior statement · Petra: Lower House approves foreign residential ownership · Petra: Law No. 17 of 2026 published · Law No. 13 of 2019 (law-firm summary) · Department of Lands and Survey.
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Who can buy property in Jordan, and who approves it?
Approval
The Minister of Interior must approve a non-Jordanian's request to own real estate, under the Real Property Ownership Law as amended in 2023, according to the Ministry of Interior.Reciprocity
Applies to most nationalities. The law exempts holders of Arab nationalities, and for dual nationals reciprocity applies to all their nationalities.Barred areas
Non-Jordanians are absolutely barred from owning property in border, archaeological and historical areas, and the Cabinet can bar more areas.Residential property
Under the 2006 law, foreigners may own property inside urban boundaries for residential purposes, with approval.Agricultural land
Expat guides say it is effectively off-limits to foreigners without a specific exemption.Larger plots
A private residence inside planning limits needs the director's approval up to 10 dunums if you own no other property in Jordan, the Finance Minister's up to 20 dunums, and the Council of Ministers' above that (law-firm summary of Law 13 of 2019 as amended).How a foreigner buys property in Jordan, step by step
- Step 1
Check the area and property type
Confirm the property is not in a border, archaeological or historic area, and that it is residential and inside urban boundaries. Agricultural land is effectively off-limits. - Step 2
Check reciprocity
Reciprocity applies to most nationalities; holders of Arab nationalities are exempt. Dual nationals must disclose every nationality. - Step 3
Get a site plan
The application needs a site plan issued by the municipality within the last year, plus a copy of your passport and the application form. - Step 4
Apply for approval
The Minister of Interior approves a non-Jordanian's request to buy. Ask your lawyer which office files it and how long it currently takes. - Step 5
Sign and pay fees
Agree the price, then pay the registration fee of up to 3% and the 3% sale tax at the Department of Lands and Survey, with the split agreed in the contract. - Step 6
Register the transfer
Ownership passes only when the Department registers the transfer and issues the title deed in your name.
What changed in 2026
The law
Law No. 17 of 2026 passed the House on 4 August and the Senate on 24 August and was published in the Official Gazette in September; it takes effect 30 days after publication.Residential ownership
Non-Jordanians may own or lease a private residence for themselves and their families outside urban planning zones, up to 10 dunums, where larger rural homes used to need Cabinet approval.Approvals
A Finance Minister decision on the Lands and Survey director general's recommendation.What stays
Border, archaeological and historic areas remain off-limits, and the Interior Minister's approval regime for purchases continues.Check the detail
We have read the government's parliamentary reports, not the Gazette text, so confirm how the two approvals interact.Costs and residency for foreign buyers
Registration fee
3% of the estimated value on a sale.Property sale tax
3%, cut from 4%.Residency
JD 200,000 from a developer, JD 300,000 from another seller, JD 150,000 outside the Capital Governorate.Mortgages
Non-citizens can borrow, but the process is more involved.Related guides
Property registration fees in Jordan
Part of our buying guides.Read more →Jordan residency by property
Part of our buying guides.Read more →Mortgages in Jordan
Part of our buying guides.Read more →How to buy property in Jordan
Part of our buying guides.Read more →Foreign ownership limits
Part of our buying guides.Read more →Property due-diligence checklist
Part of our buying guides.Read more →Related reading
Property tax in Jordan explained
Property taxes in Jordan: registration fee, 3% sale tax, the annual building and land tax (musaqafat), rental income…Read more →How to buy an apartment in Amman
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Living in Amman: climate, costs (about JD 565 a month for one person), transport, safety, schools, where to live and…Read more →Buying off-plan property in Jordan: risks and checks
Buying off-plan in Jordan: the registered promise-to-sell, the 2026 allocation certificates, what protections exist,…Read more →Foreigners buying property in Jordan: questions answered
Can foreigners buy property in Jordan?
Yes, with permission. The Minister of Interior must approve a non-Jordanian's request to buy property; reciprocity applies except to Arab nationals; and border, archaeological and historic areas are barred. Law No. 17 of 2026, published in the Official Gazette in September 2026 and in force from about October 2026, also lets non-Jordanians own or lease a private residence outside urban planning zones, up to 10 dunums, with the Finance Minister's approval. This guide →
Who approves a foreigner's property purchase in Jordan?
The Minister of Interior approves the request, according to the Ministry of Interior's statement that the rules are unchanged since the 2023 amendments. The Cabinet can separately bar non-Jordanian ownership in additional areas it designates. Law No. 17 of 2026 adds a Finance Minister decision for a private residence outside urban planning zones, up to 10 dunums. Foreign ownership limits →
Do Arab nationals need approval to buy property in Jordan?
Arab nationals are exempt from the reciprocity requirement, but the Ministry of Interior says approval is still required for non-Jordanians, and the restricted-area bans apply to everyone who is not Jordanian. Back to the guide →
Can foreigners buy land or agricultural land in Jordan?
Foreigners may own residential property inside urban boundaries with approval. Expat guides say agricultural land is effectively off-limits without a specific exemption, and larger holdings need higher approval: under Law 13 of 2019 as amended in 2023, the Lands and Survey director can approve a private residence inside planning limits up to 10 dunums if the buyer owns no other property in Jordan, the Finance Minister up to 20 dunums, and the Council of Ministers above that (law-firm summary of the statute, so confirm). Land for sale in Amman →
What documents do foreigners need to buy property in Jordan?
The application form with personal details, a copy of your passport and a site plan issued by the municipality within the last year, plus the sales agreement and title deed details. Dual nationals must disclose both nationalities, or the sale contract can be void (Tamimi & Co). How to buy property in Jordan →
What does it cost a foreigner to buy property in Jordan?
A registration fee of up to 3% and a 3% sale tax apply, with the split agreed between buyer and seller, plus agent and legal fees. On a typical three-bedroom apartment asking about JD 175,000, the two official charges come to about JD 10,500 if both fall on the buyer. Registration fees →
Can foreigners get residency by buying property in Jordan?
Yes, in some cases: property worth at least JD 200,000 from a developer or housing company, JD 300,000 from another seller, or JD 150,000 outside the Capital Governorate can earn a five-year residency, if kept for five years without being sold or mortgaged. Residency by property →
Did Jordan change the rules for foreign buyers in 2026?
Yes. Law No. 17 of 2026 amending the Real Estate Ownership Law passed the House of Representatives on 4 August and the Senate on 24 August and was published in the Official Gazette in September 2026. It takes effect 30 days after publication, so from about October 2026. Non-Jordanians may own or lease a private residence for themselves and their families outside urban planning zones, up to 10 dunums, by decision of the Finance Minister on the Lands and Survey director's recommendation, replacing Cabinet approvals for larger rural homes. Ministers said border, archaeological and historic areas stay excluded. We have not read the full text, so check the details. Prices by area →