Saudi Arabia Loosens Alcohol Restrictions for Foreign Residents
Saudi Arabia, long known for its strict prohibition on alcohol, is quietly easing restrictions for certain foreign residents — a significant development in the kingdom’s ongoing modernization efforts.
12/3/20251 min read
What’s Changing
Traditionally, alcohol has been banned across Saudi Arabia, with only limited exceptions for non-Muslim diplomats. However, in recent months, the government has begun to expand access:
Diplomats and select foreign residents: Since January 2024, alcohol could legally be purchased by non-Muslim diplomats in the Diplomatic Quarter of Riyadh.
Premium visa holders: By late 2025, this privilege expanded to include non-Muslim foreign residents with premium residency status or certain high-salary thresholds (around 50,000 Saudi riyals per month).
Official stores only: Alcohol sales remain strictly limited to licensed outlets, primarily in Riyadh, and are not yet available to the general public.
Why This Matters
This change is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to attract international talent and boost tourism, reflecting a cautious but notable shift toward more liberal social policies. While alcohol is still highly regulated, allowing non-Muslim residents to access it under specific conditions signals the kingdom’s willingness to modernize without fully opening alcohol to the general population.
The Current Reality
For now, this easing is still tightly controlled:
Only certain non-Muslim foreign residents can purchase alcohol.
The sale is confined to official stores.
There is no official blanket legalization of alcohol for the wider public.
Looking Ahead
Experts suggest this move could be the first step toward a more flexible approach to alcohol consumption in Saudi Arabia, particularly for residents and international visitors. Whether these reforms will expand further remains to be seen, but they are an important indicator of the kingdom’s ongoing social and economic transformation.
In summary: Saudi Arabia is not yet selling alcohol to everyone, but foreign residents meeting specific criteria can now legally access it — a small but meaningful change in a country historically known for strict prohibition.
Disclaimer
This update is shared based on publicly available information. VOTG News is not responsible for any decisions made based on this news. The image is AI-generated only for illustration