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Published on the website on May 2024

The Council of Ministers

Decision No. (43) of 2003 regarding Ownership by Non-Bahrainis of Built Properties and Land in the Kingdom of Bahrain

The Prime Minister: 

Having reviewed Legislative Decree No. (40) of 1999 regarding the Ownership by GCC Nationals of Built Properties and Land in the State of Bahrain; 

Legislative Decree No.(2) of 2001 regarding Ownership by Non-Bahrainis of Built Properties and Land; 

Council of Ministers Decision No. (5) of 2001 determining the areas in which non-Bahrainis are permitted to own Built Properties and Land; 

And the advice of the Economic Development Board approving the allocation of areas proposed by the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture for non-Bahrainis to own built properties and land 

And upon the submission of the Minister of Municipalities’ Affairs and Agriculture, 

And after the approval of the Council of Ministers, 

Decides: 

Article One 

Non-Bahrainis, whether natural or legal persons, are permitted to own built properties and land in the areas shown on the maps attached to this Decision, namely: 

1) Areas of residential and commercial buildings of (10) storeys or more in the city of Manama, which are: 

a) District of Ahmed Al Fateh (formerly Juffair). 

b) District of Hoora. 

c) Bu Ghazal area. 

d) The northern suburbs of Manama, including the diplomatic zone. 

2) Seef District (buildings of categories (10), (5) and (3) storeys). 

3) The following tourist areas: 

a) Durrat Bay, Bahrain Bay area. 

b) Danat Hawar area. 

c) Amwaj Islands area. 

4) The project areas of Bahrain Financial Port, Bandar Al Seef and Pearl Island. 

And any other area determined by a Council of Ministers Decision to attract investment to the Kingdom. 

Article Two 

In order to allow non-Bahrainis to own built properties, including flats and land, in the areas mentioned in the previous Article, the following are required: 

1) Compliance with the terms, conditions and procedures stipulated in the Land Registration Law promulgated by Legislative Decree No. (15) of 1979. 

2) The ownership of built properties and land shall be part of the objectives of the legal person, or a decision shall be issued by its board of directors approving the ownership of built properties and land in the Kingdom of Bahrain. 

Article Three 

Without prejudice to the right of ownership in accordance with the provisions of Articles One and Two of this Decision, commercial, industrial, tourism and other banking and financial institutions wholly owned by non-Bahrainis and licensed to operate in the Kingdom of Bahrain. are permitted to own built properties and lands for the purpose of establishing economic projects in the following areas: 

1) - The areas stipulated in Article One of this Decision. 

2) - Industrial areas for companies and institutions authorised to carry out industrial activities. As for the industrial zones subject to the provisions of Legislative Decree No (28) of 1999 regarding the Establishment and Organization of Industrial Zones, their use will be in accordance with the provisions laid down by the aforementioned Law. 

Article Four 

The Council of Ministers Decision No. (5) of 2001 determining the areas which non-Bahrainis are permitted to own Built Properties and Land shall be repealed. 

Article Five 

This Decision shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into force from the day following the date of its publication. 

The Prime Minister 

Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa 

Issued on: 13 Jumada Al-Akhir 1424 A.H. 

Corresponding to: 11 August 2003