What are the limits on foreign property ownership in Jordan?
Interior Minister approval, reciprocity except for Arabs, no ownership in border, archaeological or historic areas, and size limits: for a private residence inside planning limits, up to 10 dunums if the buyer owns no other property (Lands and Survey director) or 20 (Finance Minister), and more needs the Council of Ministers. Law No. 17 of 2026 adds a Finance Minister route up to 10 dunums outside planning zones. A dunum is 1,000 m².
Sources: Jordan Times: Interior Ministry on foreign ownership · Law No. 13 of 2019 (law-firm summary) · Petra: Lower House approves foreign residential ownership · Petra: Law No. 17 of 2026 published. Legal points come from law-firm summaries and text mirrors of the statutes, not the Official Gazette, so confirm anything you rely on with the Department of Lands and Survey or a Jordanian lawyer.
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The conditions on foreign ownership in Jordan
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Who approves | The Interior Minister, with the Department of Lands and Survey handling the application and registration |
| Reciprocity | Applies, except for Arab nationals; dual nationals from non-Arab states must meet it |
| Barred areas | Border, archaeological and historic areas; the Cabinet can bar others |
| Private residence inside planning limits | Director of Lands and Survey up to 10 dunums if the buyer owns no other property in Jordan; Finance Minister if he does, or up to 20 dunums; Council of Ministers above |
| Arab nationals outside planning limits | Finance Minister up to 200 dunums for farming, reclamation, industrial or residential projects; Cabinet above |
| Private residence outside planning zones (Law 17 of 2026) | Up to 10 dunums, by Finance Minister decision on the Director's recommendation |
| Permit | Personal and non-transferable; lapses after one year if the purchase is not completed; decisions are not appealable |
| Projects | Residential projects within 4 years and others within 6, with a 2% of assessed value annual penalty for delay |
| Family | Spouse and minor children count as one person |
| Inheritance | No permit needed |
| Renting | Interior Minister permission needed for a lease over 10 dunums and 3 years; no lease over 99 years |
Legal points come from law-firm summaries and text mirrors of the statutes, not the Official Gazette, so confirm anything you rely on with the Department of Lands and Survey or a Jordanian lawyer.
What the 2026 law changed
Passed
The House on 4 August, the Senate on 24 August 2026.Published
In the Official Gazette in September 2026, effective 30 days later.The new route
Private residence for the owner and family outside urban planning zones, up to 10 dunums, by Finance Minister decision.What did not change
Border, archaeological and historic areas remain barred, according to the ministers.Related guides
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What are the limits on foreign ownership of property in Jordan?
Approval from the Interior Minister, reciprocity (except for Arabs), no ownership in border, archaeological or historic areas, and size limits that depend on use and location: for a private residence inside planning limits, up to 10 dunums by the Lands and Survey director if the buyer owns no other property, up to 20 by the Finance Minister, and more by the Council of Ministers. Law 17 of 2026 adds a Finance Minister route up to 10 dunums outside planning zones. This guide →
How much land can a foreigner own in Jordan?
It depends on the use and location. For a private residence inside planning limits the thresholds are 10 dunums (director, if no other property) and 20 dunums (Finance Minister), per a law-firm summary of Law 13 of 2019 as amended in 2023; Law 17 of 2026 adds up to 10 dunums outside planning zones. A dunum is 1,000 m². Land for sale →
Do foreigners need approval to rent in Jordan?
Not for an ordinary apartment lease, as far as we found: Interior Minister permission is needed for foreigners renting more than 10 dunums for more than 3 years, and one reading of Law 13 of 2019 also refers to a regulation on permission for foreigners renting for work or residence, which we could not resolve. Ask the Department if in doubt. Rental contracts →
Can a foreigner sell property in Jordan?
Yes, but foreign owners cannot transfer before the project-completion periods (4 years residential, 6 years other) without Minister approval, except property held to develop and sell units under the Department's instructions. How to buy →
What happens if a foreign owner does not complete a project in time?
The statute sets a penalty of 2% of the assessed value for each year of delay. Foreign buyer rules →
Can foreigners inherit property in Jordan?
No permit is needed for inheritance, according to the law-firm summary of the statute. Foreign buyer rules →
Do Arabs need approval to buy in Jordan?
Arab nationals are exempt from reciprocity but still need approval, per the Interior Ministry, and have higher limits outside planning limits (up to 200 dunums by the Finance Minister). Foreign buyer rules →
Did the 2026 law change foreign ownership?
Yes: Law No. 17 of 2026, published in the Official Gazette in September 2026, lets non-Jordanians own or lease a private residence outside urban planning zones up to 10 dunums by Finance Minister decision, replacing Cabinet approvals for larger rural homes. Ministers said border, archaeological and historic areas remain excluded. Foreign buyer rules →