Under the Saudi Personal Status Law, gifts exchanged during an engagement are treated differently depending on who ends the relationship and why. Article 3 establishes that anything given between an engaged couple during the engagement period is considered a gift — unless the giver explicitly stated it was part of the dowry (mahr), or local custom treats it as such.
Article 4 sets the key rule: if the party who breaks off the engagement is the one who caused the breakup, they cannot reclaim the gifts they gave. However, they can recover any gifts they received from the other party — either the item itself if it still exists, its equivalent, or its market value at the time it was received. An important exception applies if the gift was consumed in a way that was clearly expected (e.g., food or perishables).
Practically speaking, expats should keep records of any items or money given during an engagement. If the engagement ends, you may need to present evidence to a Saudi court about who initiated the breakup and the nature of the gifts. It is advisable to consult a licensed Saudi lawyer if significant assets were exchanged.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Saudi Arabia.