A new law regulating property ownership for non-Syrians has been enacted by the Syrian President.
Law N°11, which was passed on 25 June, provides a set of regulations and restrictions for the purchase of properties by foreigners, or more precisely, non-Syrians. Syrian Law does not categorize Arab citizens as foreigners and as such the current Law applies to all non-Syrians, i.e. both those that fall under the category of Arabs and that of Foreigners.
The Law is viewed by experts as a small step towards facilitating the purchase of residential property by foreigners within the broader aim of encouraging foreign investment in the country.
The Law allows the purchase by non-Syrians of real estate property for the purpose of residency, provided that the unit bought has a total area of at least 200 square metres, that it is the permanent residence of its occupiers and that the latter do not resell it or conduct any other sale or rent act within five years from the date of purchase. The act of purchase needs a preliminary approval from the Ministry of Interior.
Foreign embassies and diplomatic institutions, as well as diplomats, are also allowed to purchase property provided they receive a formal approval from the Prime Minister’s Office and on the basis of a similar treatment in the country to which they are attached.
Meanwhile, a property owned by a non-Syrian through inheritance will have to be transferred to a Syrian national within a year. Otherwise, at the end of the period, the property will be transferred to the State.
Also, foreign individuals and companies are allowed to rent offices and residences for a maximum period of 15 years, which is not renewable.
