Where to invest in international property
Looking to make an international property investment? The investment potential of Bahrain's property market continues to grow. The sector is supported by US$30 billion worth of infrastructure and remains a key pillar of the Kingdom's economy. The wide range of investment opportunities, combined with our liberal foreign property laws and robust regulatory systems, make Bahrain a highly competitive destination in the global property market.
Take advantage of Bahrain's property opportunities
Property in Bahrain is booming in communities across the Kingdom, with developments springing up that are attracting more foreign investment in large-scale commercial and residential projects. There is also significant interest from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), with many buyers from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. As a result, real estate investment trusts (REITs) may find significant opportunities in Bahrain's emerging communities.
5,3%
Contribution to GDP from real estate and commercial activities, Q3 2021.
42000
Housing units to be delivered (Government Action Plan)
36%
Real estate transactions in Bahrain grew 36% year-on-year to reach BHD226 million in the second quarter of 2021, compared to BHD166 million in the first quarter of 2020, according to SLRB.
100% foreign ownership
Commercial freedom gives you exceptional control over your business decisions when investing in property abroad. Bahrain is the only country in the GCC where developers can benefit from 100% foreign ownership, making it one of the best property investment destinations in the region for investors from outside the GCC. Foreign ownership provides opportunities for growth and investors an opportunity for success. Moreover, Bahrain does not impose any restrictions on repatriated capital, profits and dividends for property developers, making your decision to invest in the property sector even more lucrative.
7% gross rental income
Bahrain's rental market provides a stable and consistent income. Gross rental income is one of the highest in the GCC and is the main reason for the interest in this unconditional ownership market (REMI Global 2017), along with zero rental and property tax.
Proptech is the latest major opportunity to emerge in Bahrain as a result of the wider digital transformation of the property sector. Bahrain's first Proptech company, Estater, launched in 2019. Following in the footsteps of Zoopla and Rightmove, the Estater platform allows users to seamlessly navigate the Kingdom's property sector.
RERA - sets the standard for property development
Bahrain is always looking for ways to enhance the credibility of international property investment for investors from another country. RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) is committed to ensuring that Bahrain's property market operates to high standards by ensuring fair, efficient regulation and pricing. It works with the government and the industry to oversee the development of long-term national real estate policies to develop the sector, improve consumer protection and optimise real estate services.
Key real estate development programmes
Supports and participates in programmes aimed at enriching the real estate sector and enhancing real estate development opportunities for investors and developers.
Roundtables
Promoting real estate development in Bahrain as well as local and overseas property investment opportunities by creating unique, sustainable and diverse tourism offerings.
Investor Forum
An annual forum for key Gulf HNWIs, large family businesses and institutional investors on property investment and sales opportunities.
Legislative improvements
Continuous improvement of the legal and regulatory framework for the real estate sector by the Bahrain Legislation and Legal Opinions Commission.
Asset and project mapping
A national mapping system for tourism assets and projects is available through EDB Bahrain as a reference for local and foreign property investors.
Major upcoming property developments and business lines in Bahrain
The tourism sector represents a growing opportunity for international property investment in Bahrain. The Kingdom offers a wide range of major tourism-related projects, with excellent prospects for those looking to invest in construction. And these are just nine of the biggest:
King Hamad Road
Connecting Bahrain to Saudi Arabia in addition to the King Fahd Causeway is expected to reduce import costs by 30-50 per cent.
Estimated cost
4 billion dollars
Estimated completion
2025
Dilmunia Island
Residential and mixed-use development with a focus on health and preventative healthcare.
Total project area
~1.8 million m 2
Estimated cost
1.8 billion dollars
Estimated completion
2022
Bahrain Bay
An iconic waterfront development in the centre of Manama, including the Four Seasons and Wyndham Grand Manama hotels.
Estimated cost
2.5 billion dollars
Estimated completion
2025
Diyar Al Muharraq
A fully integrated modern city built on seven islands, with an urban centre the size of Lower Manhattan. Offering residential, hotel, commercial, healthcare, education and retail opportunities, the project has over 40 kilometres of waterfront and will eventually accommodate approximately 100,000 people.
Estimated cost
$3.2 billion
Estimated completion
2025
Al Zallaq Waterfront
Al Jazayer Beach
Fairmont Hotel & Resort
Al Sahel Resort
Estimated value
1.3 billion dollars
Estimated completion
2022
Marassi Al Bahrain
A very prominent urban development located on the Diyar Al Muharraq waterfront. It is planned to be a glorified entertainment and shopping centre filled with 4- and 5-star hotels, restaurants and cafes, parks, high-rise buildings and residential apartments.
Durrat Al Bahrain
The 21km2 master-planned development features both residential and mixed-use developments.
Hotels
Four Seasons
Ritz Carlton
Amwaj Rotana
Sofitel Al Zallaq
Jumeirah Saray
Novotel
Amwaj Islands
A waterfront estate of six islands off the coast of Muharraq, with international branded hotels, restaurants and more.
Al Sahel Resort
A five-star resort consisting of 700,000 square metres of beaches for relaxation, entertainment and tourist attractions.
Bilaj Al Jazar
A mixed-use leisure and tourism complex on Bahrain's southwest coast with public beaches, entertainment, accommodation and shopping.
Layan Resort Durrat Marina.
A residential waterpark, the first of its kind, located in Durrat Marina. Layan will offer several residential floors as well as leisure and shopping facilities.
Looking to make an international property investment? The investment potential of Bahrain's property market continues to grow. The sector is supported by US$30 billion worth of infrastructure and remains a key pillar of the Kingdom's economy. The wide range of investment opportunities, combined with our liberal foreign property laws and robust regulatory systems, make Bahrain a highly competitive destination in the global property market.
Take advantage of Bahrain's property opportunities
Property in Bahrain is booming in communities across the Kingdom, with developments springing up that are attracting more foreign investment in large-scale commercial and residential projects. There is also significant interest from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), with many buyers from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. As a result, real estate investment trusts (REITs) may find significant opportunities in Bahrain's emerging communities.
5,3%
Contribution to GDP from real estate and commercial activities, Q3 2021.
42000
Housing units to be delivered (Government Action Plan)
36%
Real estate transactions in Bahrain grew 36% year-on-year to reach BHD226 million in the second quarter of 2021, compared to BHD166 million in the first quarter of 2020, according to SLRB.
100% foreign ownership
Commercial freedom gives you exceptional control over your business decisions when investing in property abroad. Bahrain is the only country in the GCC where developers can benefit from 100% foreign ownership, making it one of the best property investment destinations in the region for investors from outside the GCC. Foreign ownership provides opportunities for growth and investors an opportunity for success. Moreover, Bahrain does not impose any restrictions on repatriated capital, profits and dividends for property developers, making your decision to invest in the property sector even more lucrative.
7% gross rental income
Bahrain's rental market provides a stable and consistent income. Gross rental income is one of the highest in the GCC and is the main reason for the interest in this unconditional ownership market (REMI Global 2017), along with zero rental and property tax.
Proptech is the latest major opportunity to emerge in Bahrain as a result of the wider digital transformation of the property sector. Bahrain's first Proptech company, Estater, launched in 2019. Following in the footsteps of Zoopla and Rightmove, the Estater platform allows users to seamlessly navigate the Kingdom's property sector.
RERA - sets the standard for property development
Bahrain is always looking for ways to enhance the credibility of international property investment for investors from another country. RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) is committed to ensuring that Bahrain's property market operates to high standards by ensuring fair, efficient regulation and pricing. It works with the government and the industry to oversee the development of long-term national real estate policies to develop the sector, improve consumer protection and optimise real estate services.
Key real estate development programmes
Supports and participates in programmes aimed at enriching the real estate sector and enhancing real estate development opportunities for investors and developers.
Roundtables
Promoting real estate development in Bahrain as well as local and overseas property investment opportunities by creating unique, sustainable and diverse tourism offerings.
Investor Forum
An annual forum for key Gulf HNWIs, large family businesses and institutional investors on property investment and sales opportunities.
Legislative improvements
Continuous improvement of the legal and regulatory framework for the real estate sector by the Bahrain Legislation and Legal Opinions Commission.
Asset and project mapping
A national mapping system for tourism assets and projects is available through EDB Bahrain as a reference for local and foreign property investors.
Major upcoming property developments and business lines in Bahrain
The tourism sector represents a growing opportunity for international property investment in Bahrain. The Kingdom offers a wide range of major tourism-related projects, with excellent prospects for those looking to invest in construction. And these are just nine of the biggest:
King Hamad Road
Connecting Bahrain to Saudi Arabia in addition to the King Fahd Causeway is expected to reduce import costs by 30-50 per cent.
Estimated cost
4 billion dollars
Estimated completion
2025
Dilmunia Island
Residential and mixed-use development with a focus on health and preventative healthcare.
Total project area
~1.8 million m 2
Estimated cost
1.8 billion dollars
Estimated completion
2022
Bahrain Bay
An iconic waterfront development in the centre of Manama, including the Four Seasons and Wyndham Grand Manama hotels.
Estimated cost
2.5 billion dollars
Estimated completion
2025
Diyar Al Muharraq
A fully integrated modern city built on seven islands, with an urban centre the size of Lower Manhattan. Offering residential, hotel, commercial, healthcare, education and retail opportunities, the project has over 40 kilometres of waterfront and will eventually accommodate approximately 100,000 people.
Estimated cost
$3.2 billion
Estimated completion
2025
Al Zallaq Waterfront
Al Jazayer Beach
Fairmont Hotel & Resort
Al Sahel Resort
Estimated value
1.3 billion dollars
Estimated completion
2022
Marassi Al Bahrain
A very prominent urban development located on the Diyar Al Muharraq waterfront. It is planned to be a glorified entertainment and shopping centre filled with 4- and 5-star hotels, restaurants and cafes, parks, high-rise buildings and residential apartments.
Durrat Al Bahrain
The 21km2 master-planned development features both residential and mixed-use developments.
Hotels
Four Seasons
Ritz Carlton
Amwaj Rotana
Sofitel Al Zallaq
Jumeirah Saray
Novotel
Amwaj Islands
A waterfront estate of six islands off the coast of Muharraq, with international branded hotels, restaurants and more.
Al Sahel Resort
A five-star resort consisting of 700,000 square metres of beaches for relaxation, entertainment and tourist attractions.
Bilaj Al Jazar
A mixed-use leisure and tourism complex on Bahrain's southwest coast with public beaches, entertainment, accommodation and shopping.
Layan Resort Durrat Marina.
A residential waterpark, the first of its kind, located in Durrat Marina. Layan will offer several residential floors as well as leisure and shopping facilities.