Starting a company in Saudi Arabia: The Encyclopedic Guide to Legislative Frameworks and Statistical Data for 2026

The process of Starting a company in Saudi Arabia serves as the primary gateway for global investments seeking to participate in the region's largest economic movement under Vision 2030. In 2026, based on Ministry of Investment reports, the Kingdom achieved a record figure in foreign direct investment inflows as a result of updated regulatory and legislative facilities. Precise knowledge of Business setup in Saudi Arabia requirements ensures full legal protection for the investor and maintains Business liquidity Saudi Arabia through sound financial planning and the avoidance of unexpected burdens.

Motaded Limited (Motaded), acting as your premier Legal consultant in Saudi Arabia and a business incubator certified by "Monsha’at," is committed to providing facts derived directly from sovereign regulations and ministerial decrees, supported by official figures from Saudi government sites, far removed from inaccurate narratives.

I. Investment Environment Indicators in Saudi Arabia (2025-2026)

According to open data issued by the General Authority for Statistics and the Ministry of Investment, the following figures demonstrate the vitality of the Saudi market:

II. Updated Sovereign Costs and Fees for 2026

When commencing Starting a company in Saudi Arabia, recent updates in the government fee structure must be considered to ensure financial compliance:

1. Ministry of Investment License (MISA License)

• Issuance Fees: The issuance of investment license fees (previously SAR 12,000 for the first year) has been suspended as a collaborative step to reduce Market entry into the Saudi Arabia costs.

2. Commercial Registration and Subscriptions

• Commercial Registration (CR): The annual fee is SAR 1,200 for Limited Liability Companies (LLC).

• Chamber of Commerce: The annual financial consideration is determined based on the "Entity Category." Fees for startups in the Sixth Category are only SAR 200, while for the First Category (capital exceeding SAR 1 million), they reach SAR 5,000.

3. Labor Costs (Professional Staff in Saudi Arabia)

• Work Permit: The fixed annual cost is SAR 9,700 per expatriate employee.

• Government Support: Industrial facilities holding an Industrial license Saudi Arabia receive special support to reduce the financial consideration for work permits through coordination between the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Industry.

III. Premises Solutions and Operational Innovation via "Motaded"

A core requirement for Starting a company in Saudi Arabia is providing a legal premises to issue municipal licenses and activate the National Address. Motaded offers smart solutions to serve the investor:

• Virtual Address: Allows the investor to activate entity files with all sovereign authorities at an economical cost, maintaining Business liquidity Saudi Arabia during initial stages.

• Ready-made Offices: Motaded provides furnished offices (30-60 sqm) including all technical services (Internet, telephones, secretarial support, meeting rooms) instead of high-cost traditional offices in Riyadh.

• Support Letters: As a certified business incubator, we support entrepreneurs in Starting commercial in Saudi Arabia pathways by providing official support letters to the Ministry of Investment.

IV. ZATCA Compliance Standards

After completing the Starting a company in Saudi Arabia procedures, tax requirements must be adhered to for operational integrity:

1. Electronic Invoicing: Compliance with Phase Two (Integration and Linking) to ensure issued invoices match Zakat Authority standards.

2. Value Added Tax (VAT): Adherence to the 15% rate on all taxable supplies, with mandatory registration upon reaching the regulatory threshold.

3. Audit: Preparation of audited annual financial statements, which is a fundamental requirement for Opening a bank account in Saudi Arabia for investors.

V. Data Integrity and Motaded’s Role as a Strategic Partner

As a Legal consultant in Saudi Arabia, we rely on sovereign sources and updated official statistics. We guarantee:

• Regulatory Accuracy: Reviewing all recent ministerial decrees to ensure no misinformation exists in the incorporation file.

• Financial Transparency: Clarifying all government fees and payment methods (annual/one-time) to avoid financial surprises.

• Procedural Integration: Managing the incorporation process from initial authentication to activating Professional Staff in Saudi Arabia files on the Qiwa and GOSI platforms.

Conclusion: Data-Driven Investment in Saudi Arabia

Starting a company in Saudi Arabia in 2026 requires a clear vision based on open government data and innovative operational solutions. Thanks to sovereign facilities and smart office solutions from Motaded , the Kingdom has become the most attractive and stimulating environment for qualitative investment.

Contact us today at Motaded , and benefit from our expertise as a business incubator and legal consultant to ensure the success of your investment launch in Saudi Arabia with the highest standards of accuracy and data integrity.