Qatar's newest foreign-ownership zone
Simaisma Freehold Zone Guide
In June 2026, Qatar designated Simaisma Resort and Beach Project (Zone 70) in Al Khor municipality as a freehold area open to non-Qatari buyers, under Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2026 (Official Gazette Issue 9/2026). That brought Qatar's total freehold zones to 10, alongside 16 usufruct zones, under the framework set by Law No. 16 of 2018 (as amended by Law No. 1 of 2025) and Cabinet Decision No. 28 of 2020.
Simaisma is a coastal resort project in Al Khor, not a central Doha or Lusail-style CBD district, so it plays a different role in a buyer's shortlist than The Pearl or Lusail. It joins Al Khor Resort as the second freehold zone in Al Khor municipality, and as a newly designated zone, its live listing inventory and pricing history are still emerging.
Simaisma at a glance (2026)
Official name
Simaisma Resort and Beach Project
Zone code
70
Municipality
Al Khor
Ownership type
Freehold
Added
2026, via Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2026 (Official Gazette Issue 9/2026)
Qatar's total freehold zones after this addition
10, up from 9
Nearest comparable existing zone
Al Khor Resort — also Al Khor municipality, coastal, family-oriented
Market stage
Newly designated; listing inventory and pricing history are still emerging compared with The Pearl or Lusail
Use this guide if you are
- Tracking Qatar's newest freehold zones as they are designated
- An investor scanning Al Khor and coastal areas outside Doha and Lusail
- Comparing Simaisma against the established Al Khor Resort freehold zone
- Verifying whether a listing marketed as "Simaisma freehold" is actually inside the designated zone
What changed, and when
Qatar's non-Qatari ownership map is set by Law No. 16 of 2018, as amended by Law No. 1 of 2025, and detailed by Cabinet Decision No. 28 of 2020. In 2026, Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2026, published in Official Gazette Issue 9/2026, added Simaisma Resort and Beach Project (Zone 70) to the freehold list. That takes Qatar's headline freehold zone count from 9 to 10, while the 16 usufruct zones are unchanged.
This is a recent regulatory change, so buyer-facing information about Simaisma is still catching up. If you see marketing material or listings referring to "Simaisma" property, the zone status described here reflects the most current gazetted designation as of 2026; always verify the exact plot against the Ministry of Justice record before relying on it.
Where Simaisma sits and what kind of project it is
Simaisma is located in Al Khor municipality, north of Doha, and is structured as a resort and beach project rather than an urban apartment district. That makes it functionally closer to a coastal, resort-style development than to the CBD or marina-style freehold zones like West Bay Lagoon, The Pearl, or Lusail.
It is not the same project as Al Khor Resort, an existing freehold zone in the same municipality. The two are separate designated zones; Simaisma is the newer of the two and, as of 2026, the smaller in terms of established inventory and price history.
How it compares to Qatar's other freehold zones
Qatar's freehold zones now split roughly into two groups: established, high-liquidity CBD or marina districts (The Pearl, Lusail, West Bay Lagoon), and coastal, resort-style zones with smaller, earlier-stage inventory (Al Khor Resort, and now Simaisma).
- The Pearl and Lusail: deepest resale liquidity, largest inventory, marina and CBD-adjacent lifestyle
- West Bay Lagoon: smaller freehold villa pocket close to the West Bay business district
- Al Khor Resort: established coastal, family-oriented freehold compound in Al Khor
- Simaisma: newest freehold zone, also Al Khor, coastal resort character, inventory still emerging
What to verify before buying in a newly designated zone
Because Simaisma was only added in 2026, treat it with the same diligence you would apply to any newly opened zone: confirm that the specific plot or unit sits inside the officially gazetted zone boundary, rather than simply being marketed as "near Simaisma." Confirm the freehold title registration process directly with the Real Estate Registration Department rather than relying on a developer's or agent's summary.
Because the zone is new, there is little resale-price history to benchmark against, unlike The Pearl or Lusail, where years of transaction history exist. Price a Simaisma purchase more conservatively than a comparable Pearl or Lusail unit until more transaction data accumulates.
Where this fits in a Qatar property search
Simaisma is most relevant to buyers specifically looking for a coastal, resort-style freehold property in Al Khor, or comparing it directly against the existing Al Khor Resort zone. Buyers focused on CBD commute, marina lifestyle, or the deepest resale liquidity should still look first at The Pearl, Lusail, or West Bay Lagoon.
If you are earlier in your research, start with the full freehold-areas guide to understand how Simaisma fits into Qatar's complete ownership map before narrowing to a specific zone.
Frequently asked questions
What is Simaisma in Qatar?
Simaisma Resort and Beach Project is a coastal development in Al Khor municipality, north of Doha. In 2026 it became Qatar's 10th designated freehold zone for non-Qatari buyers.
Is Simaisma a freehold zone for foreigners?
Yes. Simaisma (Zone 70) was added as a freehold zone in 2026 via Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2026 (Official Gazette Issue 9/2026), meaning non-Qataris can own freehold property there under the same framework that covers The Pearl and Lusail.
When did Simaisma become a freehold zone?
In 2026, under Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2026, published in Official Gazette Issue 9/2026, which amended Cabinet Decision No. 28 of 2020.
How many freehold zones does Qatar have now?
10, following the 2026 addition of Simaisma. The other 9 are The Pearl, Lusail (including its Kharaiej and Jabal Thuaileb precincts), West Bay Lagoon, Onaiza, Al Dafna, Al Qasar, and Al Khor Resort. There are also 16 separate usufruct zones.
Is Simaisma the same as Al Khor Resort?
No. They are two separate designated freehold zones, both in Al Khor municipality. Al Khor Resort is the established zone; Simaisma is the newer addition, with smaller and earlier-stage inventory as of 2026.
Should I buy in Simaisma or The Pearl or Lusail?
Simaisma suits buyers specifically wanting a coastal, resort-style property in Al Khor. The Pearl and Lusail suit buyers prioritizing CBD proximity, marina lifestyle, or the deepest resale liquidity, since both have far longer transaction histories than the newly designated Simaisma zone.