Saudi ministry issues over 34,000 building permits in first half of 2026

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipalities and Housing reported a significant surge in construction activity, issuing more than 34,000 building permits across the Kingdom during the first six months of 2026. This issuance reflects a robust development landscape within the nation.

The majority of these permits were for residential projects, accounting for over 28,000 licenses granted between January and the end of June. Additionally, the ministry approved more than 5,000 commercial building permits and over 1,000 permits for government facilities, indicating diverse development across various sectors.

Ministry officials attributed this substantial growth to ongoing enhancements within the municipal licensing system. The expansion of digital services, particularly through the Balady platform, has been instrumental. These digital tools have streamlined permit procedures, expedited application processing, and improved the overall customer experience. Enhanced coordination among government entities also contributed to the efficiency gains.

The ministry stated that the high volume of permits underscores the breadth of development projects underway, supporting urban expansion throughout the Kingdom. They affirmed their continued commitment to working with municipalities to facilitate further growth and development.