South Korea – Saudi Arabia Tax Treaty
The South Korea-Saudi Arabia tax treaty caps withholding on dividends at 10% for portfolio investors and 5% for qualifying direct investment, and interest at 5%. Royalties are taxed at a uniform 10% across all categories. Private pensions are taxable only in the country of residence, with no withholding at source. This is one of 48 active treaties in South Korea's network and one of 23 in Saudi Arabia's. The general dividend rate of 10% compares to a median of 15% across South Korea's network and 5% across Saudi Arabia's.
Verified data
ZATCA Tax Treaty Network (zatca.gov.sa) (Treaty list verified April 2026. Rates from individual treaty texts (Articles 10-12). Saudi Arabia charges 5% WHT on dividends and interest, 15% on royalties.)
Withholding Rate Summary
Source: Saudi Arabia Treaty Reference| Income Type | Treaty Rate | Statutory Rate (Saudi Arabia) |
|---|---|---|
| Dividends (general) Portfolio investors | 10% | 5% |
| Dividends (qualified) Beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock | 5% | 5% |
| Interest Bank interest, bonds, loans | 5% | 5% |
| Royalties (avg) Patents, copyright, know-how, film/TV | 10% | — |
| Pensions Private pension distributions | 0% | — |
| Social Security Government social security benefits | 0% | — |
“Treaty Rate” is the maximum withholding permitted under this treaty. The actual effective rate may be lower if domestic law provides a more favorable rate independently. “Statutory Rate (Saudi Arabia)” shows the rate that applies when no treaty benefit is claimed. Qualified dividend rate requires: Beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock.
Dividends
The general dividend rate of 10% applies to portfolio investors. A reduced rate of 5% is available when beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock. Without the treaty, the statutory withholding rate on dividends is 5%.
Source: Saudi Arabia Treaty Reference
Interest
Interest payments (bank interest, bonds, loans) are subject to 5% withholding under this treaty, compared to the 5% statutory rate. This represents a no reduction from the statutory rate.
Source: Saudi Arabia Treaty Reference
Royalties
Royalty withholding rates vary by the type of intellectual property. This treaty distinguishes 4 categories, with rates ranging from 10% to 10%.
Source: Saudi Arabia Treaty Reference
Pensions & Social Security
Private pension distributions are taxable only in the country of residence, with no withholding at source. Government social security benefits are exempt from source-country withholding.
Source: Saudi Arabia Treaty Reference
Comparative Context
🇰🇷South Korea's Network
Among South Korea's 48 active treaty partners, the 10% general dividend rate ranks 12th (median: 15%).
| Partner | Rate |
|---|---|
| Poland | 10% |
| Romania | 10% |
| Russia | 10% |
| Saudi Arabia (this treaty) | 10% |
| Slovak Republic | 10% |
| Thailand | 10% |
| Vietnam | 10% |
🇸🇦Saudi Arabia's Network
Among Saudi Arabia's 23 active treaty partners, the 10% general dividend rate ranks 20th (median: 5%).
| Partner | Rate |
|---|---|
| South Africa | 5% |
| Italy | 10% |
| Japan | 10% |
| South Korea (this treaty) | 10% |
| Netherlands | 10% |
| Pakistan | 10% |
| Turkey | 10% |