Nominal fixed investment
by end-2025
Saudi Arabia: Your New Market
Ready to do business in Saudi Arabia? MTSI helps you choose the right entity, establish your local presence, and take the practical steps needed to start operating in the Kingdom.
3 officesZagreb, Riyadh and London
8+ yearsAdvisory experience
100+Clients
Why companies are entering now
Saudi Arabia is growing while the route for foreign investors is becoming clearer. The right structure still depends on the activity and the work the company will perform.
Share of real GDP from non-oil activities in 2025
Foreign ownership may be available
Population in Saudi Arabia in 2024
Growth in manufacturing export value in 2025
GDP per person (PPP)
in 2025
From first review to operational company
We plan the setup through registration and the practical steps that follow, including banking and employment systems.
Assess the entry route
Confirm whether you need a company, branch, distributor or another structure, based on the client, tender and activity.
Complete investment registration
Register the foreign investment with MISA and confirm any conditions or approvals attached to the activity.
Establish the legal entity
Complete the trade name, Articles of Association, Commercial Registration, National Address and Chamber membership.
Commercial Registration issuedBanking and employment setup still follow
Open the bank account and employment systems
Prepare the banking file and activate Qiwa and Muqeem for hiring, work authorisations and residence administration.
Complete compliance and start operating
Activate accounting and any sector approvals, then confirm that the company can contract, invoice and hire as planned.
Who this service is for
Industrial and manufacturing companies
For manufacturers planning local production or assembly, and industrial companies that need a Saudi presence to serve customers, deliver projects or meet tender requirements.
Equipment and industrial suppliers
For companies selling machinery, components or industrial products, or installing and maintaining equipment. We review whether a distributor, branch or Saudi company fits the work you plan to do.
Where your company needs to register
These are the main authorities and systems involved in establishing and operating a Saudi company. The exact requirements depend on your activity.
MISARegisters the foreign investment and checks activity conditions
Saudi Business CenterHandles incorporation documents and the Commercial Registration
National AddressRecords the business address used across government and commercial systems
Chamber of CommerceProvides company membership and related formalities
Qiwa and MuqeemCover employment, work authorisations and residence administration
When can you start operating?
3 to 6 months in a well-prepared case
Some registrations move faster. Banking, employment setup, premises and additional approvals usually determine when the company can start operating.
What affects the timeline?
- Whether the parent company documents are ready for use in Saudi Arabia
- Whether the registered activities match the work you will deliver
- Any industrial, professional or sector licence your activity needs
- The appointment and Saudi status of the general manager
One team in Europe and Saudi Arabia
The same MTSI team coordinates the work with your European management and the relevant people and institutions in Saudi Arabia. Our work covers industrial investment, market entry and company establishment.
Explore MTSI’s market entry workWhat the establishment fee covers
From €5,000
We confirm the work and fee after reviewing your activity, ownership and route to operation.
Included
We review your entry route and activity, then support investment registration, incorporation and the core registrations needed to operate.
Additional expenses
Government fees, document certification and translation, office and banking costs, visas, ongoing accounting and payroll, and sector-specific approvals are quoted separately.
Check eligibility
Tell us your industry and what you plan to do in Saudi Arabia. You will see straight away whether it is supported.
Questions to answer before you start
Do we need a Saudi partner or sponsor?
It depends on the activity. Some activities require a Saudi partner, while others allow full foreign ownership. We check the current conditions before choosing the structure.
What is the minimum capital requirement?
There is no single amount for every foreign company. Capital and ownership conditions depend on the activity, so we check them before recommending a structure or estimating the total cost.
Does someone have to travel to Saudi Arabia?
The first applications can usually begin online. Banking, identity, residence and some signatures may still require the manager or authorised representative to be present. We identify those steps in the setup plan.
Does the regional headquarters rule apply to us?
An RHQ is relevant to some multinational groups pursuing Saudi government business at scale. It is a separate decision and is not the standard structure for every foreign company.
Could we work through a distributor instead?
Yes. A distributor or commercial agent may be enough while you test demand. Establishing a company makes more sense when there is a client, tender or operating need that requires one.
Does company setup include a factory?
Company establishment covers the legal entity and its registrations. Factory premises, industrial approvals and production setup depend on the project and need a separate scope.
What happens if we register the wrong activity?
The company may be unable to deliver or invoice for work outside its registered scope. Changing the activity later can add time and repeat documentation, so it should match the operating model from the start.
What will the complete setup cost?
The total includes the MTSI fee, government charges, document work, premises, banking, visas, accounting and any additional licences. We provide a scope and budget range after reviewing the activity.