- What
- Regulatory permission to test fintech and insurtech products.
- Who
- FinTech and InsurTech startups globally.
- From abroad
- Not stated on the programme’s site (checked September 2026) All programmes open to founders from abroad →
Checked · October 2026 · sama.gov.sa/en-US/Pages/default.aspx · How we check ↗
In detail
SAMA FinTech Sandbox is a regulatory sandbox in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Central Bank Regulatory Sandbox — live testing of fintech solutions for a minimum of six and up to 12 months, open to local and international firms: licensed innovators, non-licensed local and international fintechs, and licensed firms partnering with innovators. Now an Always Open Model — applications accepted at any time; 25 companies currently operate in the sandbox (SAMA, September 2025).
- Amount
- Regulatory permission to test
- Eligibility
- FinTech, InsurTech startups globally
- Sectors
- Financial Technology, Insurance Technology, Payments, Digital Banking
- Status
- Active
Is this for you?
Where is your company?
Are you open to giving equity?
We match them against what SAMA FinTech Sandbox publishes.
A guide to the published criteria, not a decision — the programme selects.
What the source says
“Innovators have a minimum of (6) six months and a maximum of (12) twelve months from the receipt date of the LoA to complete their test.”
“The Regulatory Sandbox is a live environment that enables fintechs to test innovative financial products and services in the market with real consumers, with testing carried out over a defined period under controlled conditions.”
“Regulatory Sandbox applicants can fall into one of the following four categories:”
“the key differentiator of the updated framework is to move from a cohort based approach to an Always Open approach which will give greater flexibility to those applying.”
“According to a press release issued by the SAMA today, the total number of FinTech companies currently operating under SAMA’s Regulatory Sandbox has increased to 25, underscoring the Central Bank’s ongoing efforts to develop the Saudi FinTech sector and its commitment to promoting financial inclusio”
“Testing – up to 12 months”
Closing soon on the map
No published deadline in the next 30 days · All published deadlines →
Compare government programmes in Saudi Arabia
| Cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| SAMA FinTech SandboxRegulatory permission to test fintech and insurtech products. | not published | No equity | Active |
| CMA FinTech Lab (ExPermit)Regulatory permission to test products live; no funding provided. | not published | No equity | Open |
| KAUST UniversityR&D grants (NextEra), TAQADAM non-dilutive funding up to $140K, KIV equity $100K–$700K. | $100K–$700K | Equity or convertible note | Open |
| MCIT — Ministry of CommunicationsAccess to CODE programmes: Tech Founders, incubation and CODE Nine 66. | not published | Not published | Active |
| MISA — Ministry of InvestmentInvestor registration, entrepreneur registration and RHQ programme access. | not published | No equity | Active |
| Premium Residency — Entrepreneur TrackResidency for founders with a round of SAR 400K+ (20% share) or SAR 15M+ (10% share). | not published | No equity | Active |
| SHIFT Innovation Center RiyadhInnovation hub with the Digi X-Lab data and AI facility. | not published | No equity | Active |
| Cloud Computing SEZCST-supervised zone: onboarding support and incentives for data centres nationwide. | not published | No equity | Active |
| Cybersecurity Accelerator (National Cybersecurity Authority)Government accelerator for cybersecurity startups; financial support is a goal. | not published | Not published | Closed |
| MEWAMentorship, access to funding and technical assistance. | not published | Not published | Closed |
| Monsha'atLoan guarantees and programme support for SMEs. | not published | Not published | Active |
| PIF Startup EcosystemNot a direct-application fund — invests in funds rather than startups. | not published | Indirect | Active |
| SDAIASaudi AI authority; runs the GAIA generative AI accelerator. | not published | Not published | Active |
| Tourism Development Fund (TDF)Tourism fund: MSME loans via partner banks and lenders, plus a non-financial accelerator. | not published | Loans | Active |
No programmes match these filters.
Highest amount in each programme’s own “What” line. Other currencies converted for sorting only (Gulf pegs; KWD, EUR, GBP approximate).
All government programmes in Saudi Arabia → · Across the Gulf →
More programmes that take no equity →
Questions founders ask
What does SAMA FinTech Sandbox offer?
Regulatory permission to test fintech and insurtech products.
Does SAMA FinTech Sandbox take equity?
No equity — service or permission.
Can founders from abroad apply?
Not stated on the programme’s site (checked September 2026).
How do I apply?
Through its own application form — the Apply button on this page goes straight there.
Sources
Primary source · sama.gov.sa/en-US/Pages/default.aspx · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/saudi-central-bank-sama · Checked October 2026