The map·Saudi Arabia·Government programmes

SAMA FinTech Sandbox

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.

What
Regulatory permission to test fintech and insurtech products.
Who
FinTech and InsurTech startups globally.
Cost
No equity — service or permission
Status
Active

Checked · September 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 (SPA, Sep 2025).

Amount
Regulatory permission to test
Eligibility
FinTech, InsurTech startups globally
Sectors
Financial Technology, Insurance Technology, Payments, Digital Banking
Status
Active

What the source says

“© 2025 Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). All rights reserved.”

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Sources

Primary source · sama.gov.sa/en-US/Pages/default.aspx · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/saudi-central-bank-sama · Checked September 2026