01
Eligibility comes before the sale contract
Before an offer or reservation, review the buyer, nationality and ownership vehicle, the precise plot, permitted area, intended use, financing and approvals. Only then select an asset deal, share deal, lease, usufruct or another available instrument.
- Buyer
- Individual, company, fund or financing vehicle
- Asset
- Land, completed property, off-plan unit or project
- Right
- Title, lease, usufruct and related rights
- Authorities
- SLRB, RERA, municipality and sector approvals
- Exit
- Sale, lease, succession or corporate transfer
02
Foreign ownership is tied to approved locations
SLRB publishes official maps of approved areas and projects where non-Bahrainis may own property. Verify the plot boundary, type of right, title-deed data and any separate ownership approval rather than relying on the development name.
A marketing reference to freehold does not replace the official map and registry review for the specific property.
03
Title due diligence separates the asset from the sales story
Review the title deed, owner, boundaries and plan, mortgages and restrictions, access rights, leases, service charges, common property, zoning and physical condition. For a corporate seller, also check its CR, signatory authority and approvals.
04
The transfer completes through the registration route
SLRB lists the title deed, notarised sale contract and non-Bahraini applicant's passport among the core Watha'iq documents. Its service page states a 2% fee, reduced to 1.7% if filed within 60 days of notarisation; confirm the applicable amount and conditions before completion.
05
An off-plan sale requires a licensed project
Law No. 27 of 2017 and RERA instruments regulate developers and off-plan sale projects. Before payment, check the developer and project licences, registry entry, approved plans, advertising approval, contract form, completion timetable and refund triggers.
06
Buyer payments must follow the project route
RERA explains that an off-plan sale project requires a dedicated escrow account. Match the agreement and bank details to the licensed project, then review release mechanics, permitted expenses, the financing plan and reporting.
A seller, group or broker account is not a project escrow account merely because an invoice describes it that way.
07
The construction contract must control change
Connect scope, drawings, hierarchy, design responsibility, permits, programme, milestones, variations, certification, delay, defects, insurance, bonds and termination. For every change order retain authority, price, time effect and evidence of performance.
08
Financing changes the transaction structure
Before signing, review valuation, conditions precedent, mortgage, receivables assignment, insurance, escrow controls, sponsor support and bank KYC. For an SPV, verify corporate authority, source of funds, tax residence and the vehicle's real function.
FAQ
Bahrain real-estate questions
Can a foreigner buy property in Bahrain?
Yes, in areas and projects permitted by official rules. Eligibility must be checked for the specific buyer and property.
How should the property be checked?
Match the title deed and SLRB record, owner, charges, plan, zoning, service charges, leases and physical condition.
Is escrow mandatory for an off-plan project?
RERA states that Law No. 27 of 2017 requires an escrow account for an off-plan sale project.
What registration fee applies?
SLRB states a 2% base fee and 1.7% within the stated 60-day period; confirm the amount on the registration date.
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Related Bahrain routes
- Company registration
- Open route
- Bank accounts
- Open route
- Disputes and arbitration
- Open route