Quick Summary — What You Need to Set Up
- Electricity: Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) — register at mysec.com.sa or in person with Iqama + lease
- Water: NWC (National Water Company) in most cities — often pre-connected by landlord
- Gas: LPG cylinder delivery — no registration needed, just call a local supplier
- Internet: STC is the largest and most reliable — fibre available in most urban areas from SAR 199/month
- Mobile SIM: STC, Zain or Mobily — need Iqama for postpaid, passport for prepaid
- Streaming: Netflix, Spotify, Disney+ and YouTube all work without VPN
- Average monthly utility total: SAR 300–700 for a 2-bed apartment (excluding summer AC peak)
Who Pays Utilities — Landlord or Tenant?
In the vast majority of Saudi Arabia apartment rentals, utilities are the tenant's responsibility. Electricity and water bills are registered in the tenant's name (or sometimes the landlord's name with costs passed through), and the tenant pays monthly based on usage. Gas cylinders are always the tenant's responsibility.
Some furnished serviced apartments include utilities in the rent — always confirm this in writing before signing. Standard unfurnished or semi-furnished apartments almost never include utilities. Always ask your landlord before moving in:
- Is electricity registered in your name or the landlord's name?
- Is water included or separate?
- Is there a building water tank / pump charge?
- Is the building on a district cooling system (which has its own billing)?
The Four Utilities — Costs and Setup
Electricity — SEC
Saudi Electricity Company
- Register at mysec.com.sa or any SEC office
- Need: Iqama, meter number, lease contract
- Connection fee: approx. SAR 100–200 for new accounts
- Rates are government-subsidised — much cheaper than Europe
- Tiered pricing — heavy users pay more per kWh
- Bill via SMS — pay online, at ATM or SEC app
Water — NWC / SWCC
National Water Company
- Water is very cheap — heavily subsidised
- Often already connected when you move in
- Register at nwc.com.sa or NWC office
- In Eastern Province: MARAFIQ handles utilities
- In many apartments: water included in rent or building charges
- Drinking water: most expats use bottled or filtered water
Gas — LPG Cylinder
Cylinder Delivery Service
- No piped gas in most residential buildings
- LPG (butane/propane) cylinders used for cooking
- Ask your building guard or landlord for a local supplier number
- Delivery within hours — no registration needed
- An average kitchen uses 1 cylinder per 3–6 weeks
- Some newer buildings have piped gas — check with landlord
Internet — Fibre Broadband
STC / Zain / Mobily
- Fibre (FTTH) widely available across Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam
- STC is the most widely available and reliable
- Contract: 12 months typical — need Iqama to sign
- Installation: usually within 3–7 working days
- Speeds: 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps available in most areas
- Router included in subscription
Internet Providers in Saudi Arabia — Which Should You Choose?
Saudi Arabia has three main telecoms providers for both home broadband and mobile data. STC dominates the market but competition has improved quality and pricing significantly since 2022. Here is how they compare for expats:
SIM Cards — Getting Connected Immediately
Getting a local SIM card should be one of your first tasks after arriving in Saudi Arabia. Mobile data is excellent across all three networks in urban areas, and prepaid packages are among the most affordable in the Gulf region.
| Provider | Prepaid Available | Typical Data Package | Monthly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STC | Yes — passport only | 50GB + unlimited calls | SAR 85–120 | Best overall coverage and reliability |
| Zain | Yes — passport only | 40GB + calls | SAR 65–100 | Value packages, good for data-heavy users |
| Mobily | Yes — passport only | 40GB + calls | SAR 60–95 | Popular prepaid — often cheaper entry plans |
Step-by-Step — Setting Up Home Internet (STC)
Check building fibre availability
Go to stc.com.sa and enter your address to confirm fibre coverage. Most urban apartments in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar built after 2015 are fibre-ready. Older buildings may only have ADSL or 4G home broadband options.
Choose your package
STC offers tiered packages — typically 100 Mbps (SAR 199), 300 Mbps (SAR 249), 500 Mbps (SAR 299) and 1 Gbps (SAR 399–499). For a single person or couple, 100–300 Mbps is more than sufficient. For families or multiple devices streaming simultaneously, 500 Mbps or above.
Order online or visit an STC store
You can order online at stc.com.sa or visit any STC store. Bring your Iqama and a copy of your lease contract. The agent will check your address, confirm the package and schedule a technician visit for installation.
Technician visit and installation
A technician will visit within 3–7 working days to install the fibre connection and router. The router is included in the package. Installation typically takes 1–2 hours. Make sure someone is home during the appointment window.
Activate and download the MySTC app
Once connected, download the MySTC app to manage your account, pay bills, monitor usage and contact support. Bills are issued monthly and can be paid via the app, online banking or at any STC store or ATM.
Monthly Utility Cost Summary — What to Budget
| Utility | 1-Bed Apt (Low Season) | 1-Bed Apt (Summer Peak) | 3-Bed Villa (Summer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity (SEC) | SAR 80–150 | SAR 300–600 | SAR 600–1,200 |
| Water (NWC) | SAR 20–40 | SAR 30–60 | SAR 60–150 |
| Gas (LPG) | SAR 15–30 | SAR 15–30 | SAR 25–50 |
| Internet (fibre) | SAR 199–299 | SAR 199–299 | SAR 249–499 |
| Mobile SIM (1 person) | SAR 65–120 | SAR 65–120 | SAR 65–120 |
| Total Estimate | SAR 380–640 | SAR 610–1,100 | SAR 1,000–2,020 |
Streaming, Apps and What Works in Saudi Arabia
The digital landscape in Saudi Arabia has improved dramatically since 2019. Most major streaming and communication platforms work without any issues:
- Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video — all work, with Saudi Arabia-specific content libraries
- Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music — all available
- WhatsApp (calls and video) — works fully since 2017 reform
- FaceTime, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Zoom — all work normally
- YouTube — fully available, no restrictions
- Instagram, X (Twitter), Snapchat, TikTok — all available
- LinkedIn, Facebook — available
- Talabat, HungerStation, Careem, Uber — all work and are extensively used
Some adult content sites, gambling sites and certain politically sensitive content remains blocked. For typical expat day-to-day digital life, virtually nothing you need will be unavailable.
Related Expat Life Guides
Frequently Asked Questions — Utilities in Saudi Arabia
Who pays utilities in Saudi Arabia — landlord or tenant?
In the vast majority of Saudi Arabia rentals, utilities are the tenant's responsibility. Electricity and water are paid by whoever uses them. Always confirm in writing with your landlord before signing — some furnished apartments include utilities in the rent, but most standard rentals do not. Gas cylinders are always the tenant's responsibility.
How much is the electricity bill in Saudi Arabia?
Electricity is heavily subsidised in Saudi Arabia — much cheaper than Europe or North America. For a 1-bedroom apartment, expect SAR 80–150 per month in winter and SAR 300–600 per month in summer (June–September) when air conditioning runs constantly. A large villa can reach SAR 1,000–1,500 per month in peak summer. Budget carefully for your first summer.
What is the best internet provider in Saudi Arabia for expats?
STC (Saudi Telecom Company) is the largest and most widely available provider and the default choice for most expats. Fibre packages start at SAR 199/month for 100 Mbps. Zain and Mobily are good alternatives — Zain often has competitive bundle deals. Check which provider has existing infrastructure in your building before ordering, as this affects installation speed.
Can expats get a SIM card in Saudi Arabia?
Yes — easily. Prepaid SIM cards are available at the airport with just your passport. For a postpaid contract with a monthly plan, you need your Iqama. STC, Zain and Mobily all sell SIMs at retail stores across the country. Prepaid data packages are very affordable — around SAR 60–120 per month for 40–50GB plus calls.
Does WhatsApp work in Saudi Arabia?
Yes — WhatsApp calls, video calls and messaging all work fully in Saudi Arabia. This has been the case since 2017 when Saudi Arabia lifted restrictions on VoIP calling. FaceTime, Zoom, Teams, Skype and most other communication platforms also work normally. No VPN is needed for WhatsApp or most standard communication apps.
Are there VPN restrictions in Saudi Arabia?
VPNs are not explicitly banned for personal use in Saudi Arabia, and many expats use them without issue. Saudi Arabia blocks some websites — primarily adult content, gambling sites and certain politically sensitive material. For typical expat digital life, almost nothing you need is blocked. Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, YouTube, WhatsApp and social media all work without a VPN.