Saudi Aramco, officially the Saudi Arabian Oil Company, is the world’s largest oil producer. Based in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, it manages the Kingdom’s oil and gas reserves and is one of the largest listed companies in the world.
For years, UK investors could not buy Aramco shares directly. That changed: since 2024 some international brokers give foreign clients access to the Saudi stock exchange, and since 1 February 2026 Saudi Arabia allows all foreign investors to own listed shares directly. Here is how you can invest in Aramco from the UK.
What is Saudi Aramco?
Saudi Aramco is Saudi Arabia’s state-controlled oil company. It manages the Kingdom’s hydrocarbon reserves of 247.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent (end of 2025) and works across the whole value chain, from exploration and production to refining, chemicals and marketing.
Key facts about Saudi Aramco:
- Production: 12.9 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025, with a maximum sustainable crude oil capacity of 12 million barrels per day.
- Profit: adjusted net income of $104.7 billion in 2025.
- Dividends: $85.5 billion paid to shareholders in 2025.
- Employees: 76,664 at the end of 2025, with operations in more than 50 countries.
- Listing: Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) since December 2019, under the ticker 2222.
Source: Aramco at a glance and Aramco Annual Report 2025.
Can I buy Aramco shares in the UK?
Yes, but not on a UK exchange. Aramco is only listed on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul), so you can’t buy it through most UK platforms such as Hargreaves Lansdown or Interactive Investor.
When Aramco listed in December 2019, foreign individuals could not buy its shares directly. In October 2024, Interactive Brokers and SNB Capital opened access to the Saudi Exchange for eligible international clients, including UK investors. Then, from 1 February 2026, Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority removed the Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI) regime, so all foreign investors can now own shares on the Saudi Main Market directly.
Some limits remain. A single non-resident foreign investor cannot own more than 10% of a listed company, and all foreign investors together cannot own more than 49%. For a private investor buying Aramco shares, these limits make no practical difference.
How to invest in Aramco from the UK
You have three main ways to invest in Aramco from the UK:
| Route | Cost | Do you own the shares? |
| Shares via Interactive Brokers | 0.10% per trade (fixed) or 0.05% (tiered) | Yes |
| Saudi Arabia ETF (IKSA) | 0.60% a year, plus your broker’s fees | Yes, as part of a fund |
| CFD | Spread and overnight fees, depending on the provider | No |
Sources: Interactive Brokers commissions (Saudi Arabia) and iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia Capped UCITS ETF, October 2026.
Buy Aramco shares through Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) was the first global broker to give foreign clients direct access to the Saudi Exchange. Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), with reference number 208159.
With IBKR you buy real Aramco shares on the Tadawul, so you receive the dividends and own the stock. The commission on Saudi stocks is 0.10% of the trade value with fixed pricing, or 0.05% with tiered pricing plus exchange and regulatory fees. The shares trade in Saudi riyals (SAR), so you also pay a small fee to convert your pounds.
Invest in a Saudi Arabia ETF
If you prefer a fund, the iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia Capped UCITS ETF (IKSA) is listed on the London Stock Exchange and available on most UK platforms. It tracks the MSCI Saudi Arabia 20/35 index, which caps the largest company at 35% of the fund and all other companies at 20%.
Aramco is one of its largest holdings, at about 13% of the fund in early 2026, next to banks such as Al Rajhi, Saudi Telecom and mining group Ma’aden. The ongoing charge is 0.60% a year.
The benefit of an ETF is that you get Aramco as part of a diversified basket of Saudi companies. The downside is that you don’t control how much of your money goes into Aramco. You can find more options in our guide to the best ETF broker in the UK.
Trade Aramco with CFDs
Some UK providers offer contracts for difference (CFDs) on Aramco shares. With a CFD you bet on the price moving up or down, but you never own the shares. CFDs usually use leverage, which multiplies both gains and losses.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Check the percentage published by your provider and consider whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money.
Now that UK investors can buy the real shares, a CFD only makes sense if you want short-term trades or to bet on a fall in the price.
Aramco bonds
Aramco has also issued international bonds, including a $12 billion offering in 2019 that was listed on the London Stock Exchange. These bonds are mainly aimed at institutional investors and often have high minimum trade sizes, so check the minimum with your broker before buying. Bonds pay interest but do not give you a share of Aramco’s profits.
Step-by-step guide to buying Aramco shares
This is how to buy Aramco shares through Interactive Brokers:
- Open an account: open an Interactive Brokers account and complete the identity checks.
- Add the trading permission: in the settings menu, go to “Trading Permissions” and add stocks for Saudi Arabia.
- Fund your account: deposit pounds by bank transfer.
- Search for Aramco: type “2222” in the search bar and select Saudi Arabian Oil Co on the Tadawul.
- Place your order: choose how many shares you want, select a market or limit order and click “Buy”.
- Track your position: your Aramco shares appear in your portfolio, and dividends are paid into your account.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than you invest.
Is buying Aramco shares a good investment?
Aramco gives you exposure to one of the world’s largest oil businesses, but it also carries specific risks. Weigh both sides before you invest.
| Category | Pros | Cons |
| Financials | High profits and large dividends ($85.5 billion paid in 2025) | Revenue depends on oil prices |
| Resources | 247.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent in reserves | Little diversification beyond oil, gas and chemicals |
| Ownership | Strong backing from the Saudi state | The state controls decisions, with only about 2.5% of shares in public hands |
| Geopolitics | Central role in Saudi Arabia’s economy | Risks from tensions in the Middle East and OPEC+ production decisions |
| ESG | Investment in gas and lower-carbon projects | Many investors and funds exclude oil companies |
| Currency | The riyal is pegged to the US dollar | Returns in pounds move with the GBP/USD exchange rate |
Conclusion
UK investors can now buy real Aramco shares. The most direct route is Interactive Brokers, at 0.10% per trade with fixed pricing. If you prefer a fund, the iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia Capped UCITS ETF holds about 13% in Aramco and trades on the London Stock Exchange for 0.60% a year.
As with any single stock, research the company and consider your risk tolerance before buying Aramco shares.
FAQ
Can you buy Aramco shares in the UK?
Yes. Aramco is not listed in London, but UK investors can buy its shares on the Saudi Exchange through a broker with access to it, such as Interactive Brokers. Since February 2026, all foreign investors can own shares on the Saudi Main Market directly.
Which ETF contains Saudi Aramco?
In the UK, the iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia Capped UCITS ETF (IKSA), listed on the London Stock Exchange, holds Aramco as one of its largest positions. Broad emerging markets ETFs also hold Aramco, but with a much smaller weight. US-listed funds such as the iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF (KSA) are generally not available to UK retail investors.
How do I invest in Saudi stocks?
You can buy Saudi shares directly through a broker with access to the Saudi Exchange, such as Interactive Brokers, or invest in a Saudi Arabia ETF listed in London.
What is Aramco’s ticker?
Aramco trades on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) as Saudi Arabian Oil Co, under the ticker 2222.
Who is the largest shareholder of Aramco?
The Saudi government. At the end of 2025 it owned 81.48% of Aramco directly. The Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, and companies it owns held another 16%. Only about 2.5% of the shares are held by the public.
Is Saudi Aramco publicly traded?
Yes. Aramco has been listed on the Saudi Exchange since its IPO in December 2019. The government sold more shares in a secondary offering in June 2024, but the public still holds only a small part of the company.
Is Aramco listed on the London Stock Exchange?
No. Aramco shares are only listed on the Saudi Exchange. Some Aramco bonds are listed in London, but the shares are not.
Can you buy shares without a broker in the UK?
In practice, no. To buy listed shares you need an account with a broker or investment platform, which places the orders on the exchange for you.