Property Laws in Bahrain Explained - Guide 2026

🚨 0% Property Tax + $345k Golden Visa – Foreigner-Friendly Rules Decoded

⚖️ Bahrain's Decree 2/2001 enables 100% foreign freehold ownership in 16+ zones with zero rental/capital gains tax, 1.7% transfer fee only, and Golden Residency via $345k investment (family included, 10-year renewable). RERA safeguards buyers while mortgage LTV hits 70% foreigners at 5.2% rates.

📜 This complete legal guide breaks registration process, inheritance rules, Airbnb regulations, off-plan protections, and 2026 updates making Bahrain easier than UAE/Saudi for expat investors.

📋 Table of Contents

• 🔑 Foreign Ownership Rules
• 💸 Complete Tax Breakdown
• 🪙 Golden Residency Details
• 📋 Buying & Registration Steps
• 📜 Rental & Airbnb Regulations
• 🛡️ Buyer Protections & Risks

🔑 Foreign Ownership – Decree 2/2001 Framework

✅ 100% Freehold: No local partner/sponsor in 16+ designated zones (Amwaj, Bahrain Bay, Juffair etc.). Full title deed transferable/inheritable.

❌ Non-Freehold: Leasehold 99-years or Bahrain company ownership required.

💸 Zero-Tax Paradise – Full Breakdown

💼 Corporate: 0% first BHD 100k profit, then tiered.

🪙 Golden Residency – Property Path

🪙 Requirement: $345k freehold investment → 10-year residency renewable. Spouse/children under 24 included. No minimum stay.

✅ Process: Buy freehold → NPRA application → residency permit → family visas.

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📋 Official Buying & Registration Steps

1. 🔍 Due diligence: Title search Survey Office (€100-200)
2. 📋 NOC Ministry Interior (no liens)
3. ✍️ MOU 1-2% deposit (7-day binding)
4. ⚖️ Sales Agreement lawyer/notary
5. 💰 Balance + 1.7% transfer SLRB
6. 🏠 Title deed issued (1-2 weeks)
7. 🔑 Handover/utilities transfer

📜 Rental Regulations & Airbnb

📝 Standard Leases: 1-year Ejari-registered. 5% annual increases max.

🏠 Airbnb: Tourism Ministry license €500/year. 90-day max stays. 7-11% yields short-term.

• ✅ No restrictions foreign landlords freeholds
• ✅ Security deposit 1-month rent
• ✅ Eviction 60-day notice

🛡️ RERA & Buyer Safeguards

🛡️ Real Estate Regulatory Authority: Protects deposits, mandates completion bonds off-plan, dispute arbitration.

🏦 Mortgages: 70% LTV foreigners, 5.2% fixed, no stress test.

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Bottom Line: 🎯 0% tax paradise. 16 freeholds unlimited ownership. $345k Golden 10yr visa. 1.7% fees, 7-14 day closes. RERA protects fully. Easiest Gulf buy!