Background of the 15% sports and gym localization decision
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, has established a mandatory 15% Saudization quota for private-sector sports centers and gyms across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The ministerial decision takes full legal effect on 18 November 2026 (corresponding to 8 Jumada Al-Thani 1448 AH). Following the conclusion of its official grace period, labor inspection teams will begin field audits across commercial fitness centers to verify compliance on the Qiwa platform.
The 12 targeted coaching and supervisory professions
The 15% localization quota does not apply across all general gym staff equally; it targets 12 core athletic, coaching, and supervisory occupational titles officially registered in the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations:
1. General Sports Coach
2. Fitness and Personal Trainer
3. Sports Supervisor
4. Professional Football Coach
5. Professional Aquatic and Swimming Coach
6. Professional Self-Defense and Martial Arts Coach
7. Professional Ice Sports Coach
8. Professional Racket Sports Coach (Tennis, Padel, Squash)
9. Professional Athletics Coach
10. Professional Equestrian Coach
11. Professional Ball Sports Coach (Basketball, Volleyball, Handball)
12. Specialized Sports and Fitness Specialist
Auxiliary gym staff—such as equipment maintenance technicians, janitorial staff, general receptionists, and clinical sports nutritionists—are governed by their respective general sector Nitaqat rules and are excluded from this specific 15% coaching pool.
Establishment size threshold: who must comply?
The ministerial directive specifically applies to private-sector establishments operating men’s or women’s sports centers and gyms that employ 4 or more workers in the targeted professions combined.
For example, a fitness center employing 8 personal trainers and 2 sports supervisors has 10 total targeted workers. To satisfy the 15% threshold, at least 2 of these positions (1.5 rounded up to the nearest whole integer) must be held by qualified Saudi nationals registered under GOSI.
Small boutique fitness studios, private personal training rooms, or yoga lofts employing 1 to 3 trainers are officially exempt from the mandatory quota, although hiring national trainers is incentivized.
HADAF wage subsidies and employer financial support
To assist sports facility operators in recruiting and retaining qualified Saudi coaching personnel, the Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) provides robust employment incentive programs:
Under the HADAF Employment Support program, the fund subsidizes 30% to 50% of the Saudi employee’s monthly wage for a duration of up to 24 months, subject to standard wage caps.
Additionally, specialized sports training institutes and technical academies accredited by the Ministry of Sports offer subsidized professional certification courses for Saudi sports graduates entering the fitness industry.
What this means for expatriate personal trainers and coaches
Expatriate fitness coaches and trainers currently working in Saudi Arabia on valid employment contracts can continue their legal duties, provided their employing establishment maintains its 15% quota on Qiwa.
However, if an establishment falls below the 15% threshold after 18 November 2026, its Qiwa file will be restricted from issuing new foreign work permits or transferring expat coaches until the deficit is resolved by hiring national talent.
Penalties for non-compliance and inspection procedures
Establishments that fail to achieve the 15% localization quota by the deadline face statutory labor penalties:
Under MHRSD violation tables, non-compliant gyms face financial fines of up to SAR 20,000 per unfulfilled localization quota, suspension of recruitment services on Qiwa, and immediate reclassification to lower Nitaqat color bands.
Field inspectors from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Ministry of Sports will conduct joint inspection visits to audit attendance logs, GOSI contributor lists, and professional coaching licenses.