Nafath and National Address in Saudi Arabia: What They Are and How to Set Them Up

Nafath is the national sign-in system that lets you use your Absher identity to log in to government and other online services. The National Address is Saudi Post's official address for where you live. You need both for almost every online service and for opening a bank account, so set them up in your first weeks.

Nafath

What it is. Nafath (Unified National Access) is Saudi Arabia's single sign-on. It was announced by the Ministry of Interior in November 2016 and lets citizens and residents use their Absher account to sign in to other services, with a companion app that approves sign-in requests on your phone, according to Wikipedia's summary of the official sources.

Where you will see it. The Absher login page offers "Login via Nafath" next to the username and password. Other official services use it too: for example, the Council of Health Insurance tells you to log in through the National Unified Access Platform (Nafath) before filing a complaint.

Activating it. We could not open Nafath's official pages while checking this guide, so we am not going to list steps from memory. What the Absher page does confirm is that you need an Absher account first, and that it links to "National ID Activation Channels" and "Registration and Subscription" under its support section. The Absher support number shown is 920020405. A sensible order is:

1. Make sure your iqama is valid. If you have not used Absher before, start with the Absher guide.
2. Open Absher and use its activation or registration links to activate your account.
3. When a service offers "Login via Nafath", pick it and approve the request in the Nafath app.

If you are stuck at step 2, use the Absher support line instead of trying other apps.

National Address

What it is. SPL describes the National Address as an official address for a location made up of a building number, street, secondary number, district, postal code and city. The short address is 4 letters followed by 4 numbers, which is easy to memorize and to type into delivery and bank forms.

Cost. SPL describes the National Address service as free of charge. Separate services such as a plate may be priced differently, and SPL's page does not say.

How to register.

1. Go to SPL's National Address page and choose "Register Now" under National Address for Individuals.
2. Sign in or create an account, then request your National Address identification through the National Address services.
3. Save both your short address and the full address.

You can also find your short address in the SPL Online app, SPL's Maha virtual assistant, Tawakkalna, Sehhaty or Absher.

Updating it. Use the "Manage Address" option in SPL's e-services to add dependants and manage your address. SPL's page gives no deadline for updating after a move, so update it as soon as you change address, because banks and deliveries use whatever is on record.

Checking an address. SPL provides a National Address Proof Verification service at proof.address.gov.sa.

Why banks and services ask for them

• Banks. The SAMA account-opening form includes the customer's national address along with name, nationality, ID number and ID expiry date. Expect your bank's app to ask for it too. See the bank account guide.
• Deliveries and official post. SPL says you can use Absher to receive Ministry of Interior documents, and SPL's address system is what deliveries use.
• Government services. Many services ask you to sign in through Absher or Nafath. Which ones also ask for a National Address varies, so check the form in front of you.

Checklist for your first month

• Activate your Absher account and Nafath.
• Register your National Address and save the short address in your phone notes.
• Give the same address to your bank, employer and landlord.
• Update the address whenever you move. If you are leaving the country, see the final exit visa guide.

Sources

Facts in this guide were checked on 22 October 2026 against these pages. Fees and rules change, so confirm on the official page before you pay or apply.

• Saudi Post (SPL): National Address
• SAMA Rulebook: Documents Required to Open a Bank Account
• Absher individuals login page (Nafath login, activation channels, support)
• Council of Health Insurance: complaint against the Council (login via Nafath)
• Wikipedia: Nafath (background; cites iam.gov.sa, DGA and SPA)