Installing an EV charger at your home in Saudi Arabia is electrical work that connects your home to national infrastructure regulated by four government bodies: SEC, the Saudi Electricity Company; SERA, the Saudi Electricity Regulatory Authority; SASO, the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization; and MOMRAH, the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing.
If you install without the required permits, your power can be disconnected, your insurer can refuse cover, and you carry full personal liability for any electrical incident. This guide explains:
- Why a permit is mandatory
- The roles of the four authorities
- How to apply, step by step, on the SEC online portal
- Required documents
- Expected timeline
- How to speed up the process
Why a permit is mandatory
An EV charger adds load to your home's electrical supply. Installing one without coordinating with SEC can lead to:
- Exceeding meter capacity. The main connection goes past its rated limit, which causes repeated tripping or damages equipment.
- Grid disturbance. A non-standard installation can affect neighbors or overload the local distribution transformer.
- Insurance refusal. After a fire or damage, your insurer can refuse cover because the installation had no permit.
- Full legal liability. The owner is responsible for any damage from an unpermitted installation and may be fined.
The permit confirms that your meter panel can take the new load, that the charger meets quality standards, and that the installer is legally qualified.
The four authorities and their roles
Every EV charger installation in Saudi Arabia falls under four regulators, and each has a separate role:
1. Saudi Electricity Company, SEC
Role. SEC checks grid capacity and protection, issues the technical approval and connects the installation to the distribution network.
Official site: se.com.sa
2. Saudi Electricity Regulatory Authority, SERA
Role. SERA is the top-level regulator. It sets standards for the electricity sector and oversees SEC. Homeowners do not deal with SERA directly.
Official site: sera.gov.sa
3. Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, SASO
Role. SASO certifies the charger itself. Every EV charger installed in Saudi Arabia must carry a SASO Certificate of Conformity, or COC.
What SASO checks:
- Electrical protection against overcurrent, short circuits and ground faults
- Insulation quality
- Temperature monitoring
- Automatic shutdown on anomalies
- An IP rating against dust and moisture of at least IP65 for outdoor chargers
- Compliance with IEC international standards
Official site: saso.gov.sa
4. Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, MOMRAH
Role. MOMRAH sets location and regulatory requirements, including the 5% parking requirement for hotels and malls. For homes, it publishes the technical requirements for correct installation.
Reference document: Technical requirements for EV charging, PDF
When is a permit required?
A permit is required for every EV charger installation connected to SEC's network, including:
- Residential, such as villas, apartments and chalets. Even a small 7 kW charger needs formal coordination.
- Commercial, such as hotels, malls and offices. The MOMRAH 5% parking requirement also applies.
- Public charging stations. Their operators need extra approvals as infrastructure operators.
Installations above 22 kW need wider coordination with SEC to confirm that the local distribution transformer can take the extra load.
Who can install the charger?
Only licensed contractors. SEC keeps a list of "Qualified Contractors" who are officially approved for additional electrical installations, including EV chargers.
If a non-licensed technician installs the charger, the installation:
- Cancels any permit you obtained
- Can lead your insurer to refuse cover
- May have to be redone from scratch
Climatech Charger is one of the certified contractors and can carry out the whole installation, from design to commissioning.
How to apply on the SEC online portal
The government has launched the "Electric Vehicle Charging Gateway", a digital platform for permit applications. These are the main steps.
1. Prepare your documents
Collect these before you apply:
- A copy of a recent SEC bill to confirm your subscription
- National ID copy of the property owner
- Title deed or rental contract
- Property location as a Google Maps link
- Charger type and rated power in kW
- SASO Certificate of Conformity for the chosen charger
- Charger datasheet from the manufacturer
- Photos of the existing distribution panel and proposed install location
2. Log in to the portal
Go to the SEC EV Chargers Portal and sign in with your existing SEC account, the one you use for electricity bills, or create a new one.
3. Fill out the permit application
Select "EV Charger Installation Application" and enter:
- Property details
- Charger details such as model, rated power and COC reference
- Installer details from the certified contractor list
- Proposed installation date
4. Upload the documents
Upload all the required documents. Most rejections are caused by missing documents or an invalid COC.
5. SEC technical review
SEC reviews:
- Current meter capacity
- Local transformer capacity
- Charger compliance
- Installer eligibility
6. Receive approval
Once approved, you receive a formal permit that lets the contractor start installation to the approved specifications.
7. Installation and commissioning
The contractor installs and tests the system, then sends a completion report to SEC.
8. Final inspection and activation
SEC may send an inspector to the site, then formally activates the charger on the supply network. After that, the charger's consumption appears on your regular bill.
Expected timeline
From application to live operation:
- Application review takes 5 to 14 business days
- Installation takes 1 to 5 days, depending on site complexity
- Final inspection and activation take 3 to 7 business days
The total is 2 to 4 weeks for a standard home installation. Complex installations, such as older villas, 22 kW setups and meter panel upgrades, can take 6 to 8 weeks.
Cost
The application fees on the SEC portal are small, and in many cases there are none. Most of the cost comes from:
- Distribution panel upgrade if existing capacity is insufficient
- Cable runs from the main panel to the charger location
- The charger itself, SASO-compliant
- Contractor fees for design, installation, and commissioning
The total cost for a standard home charger depends on several factors. See our guide Home EV charger installation cost for details.
Consequences of installing without a permit
We often hear about "quick" installations done without a permit. Here is what can happen:
- Insurance refusal. If an unpermitted charger causes a fire or damage, the loss is not covered.
- SEC fines. Fines can reach thousands of riyals if the installation is found, and you will have to reinstall it legally.
- Service disconnection. SEC can cut power to the property until the problem is fixed.
- Problems when selling. An unpermitted installation is recorded as a technical defect when you sell the property.
A permit protects you from these fines and from insurance refusal.
How to get the permit faster
Three ways to get your permit faster:
- Choose an SEC-certified contractor from the start. A certified contractor knows the process and submits the right documents the first time.
- Buy a SASO-certified charger. Confirm the charger's COC before you buy it. SEC will not accept imported chargers without a COC.
- Prepare property documents early. Have the bill, title deed and ID ready, because missing documents cause delays.
How Climatech Charger handles the permit
Climatech Charger handles the whole permit and installation process:
- Design and consulting. We assess the site, size the charger and check the meter panel.
- Charger supply. We supply only SASO-certified chargers, with the COC ready.
- SEC application. We submit the application for you with all documents.
- SEC coordination. We follow up on the technical review and answer any questions.
- Installation. Our certified engineering team installs to the Saudi Building Code.
- Commissioning. We test the charger, check its operation and document the completion.
- Maintenance. We offer optional maintenance contracts to keep the charger operating to standard.
We cover Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Makkah.
Get a complete estimate including the permit
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a portable charger?
Portable chargers that plug into a standard 220V socket usually do not need their own permit, because they work within the capacity of an existing circuit. Any fixed installation does need coordination.
Is the permit tied to the property or to the charger?
To the property. The permit is issued for the property and names the installed charger. If you later replace the charger with one of a different rating, the permit has to be updated.
Can a tenant apply for the permit?
Yes, with the owner's written permission. SEC asks for proof of your relationship to the property.
How long is the permit valid?
The permit stays valid as long as the installation matches the approved specifications. Any change, such as a new charger or higher power, needs an update.
Can I apply myself without a contractor?
You can submit the application, but an SEC-certified contractor must do the installation. Most owners prefer to give the whole process to the contractor.
What if SEC rejects my application?
SEC sends the reason for the rejection. Common reasons are an invalid COC, too little meter capacity, or a contractor who is not certified. Each of these can be fixed.
Summary of the steps
- Pick a SASO-certified charger and verify the COC
- Pick an SEC-certified contractor
- Prepare property documents, meaning the bill, deed, ID and photos
- Submit the application via the SEC portal
- Wait for review, 5 to 14 business days
- Installation and commissioning
- Final inspection and activation
Start with Climatech Charger and we handle the full permit
Official sources
- Saudi Electricity Company EV chargers, the official portal
- SEC procedures and guides
- SASO certificate of conformity
- MOMRAH technical requirements for EV charging, PDF
- Saudi Electricity Regulatory Authority, SERA
- IEC 62196 and IEC 61851, the international standards
Note. Requirements and procedures can change. Check the SEC official site for the latest information before you start.
