Saudi Arabia lifts alcohol ban for wealthy foreigners? Here’s what we know so far
In a striking policy turn that illustrates Saudi Arabia’s evolving approach to social and economic reform, the kingdom has quietly begun allowing wealthy foreign residents to legally purchase alcohol, a practice previously prohibited for more than 70 years. The shift reflects a cautious but significant opening in the ultra-conservative nation’s traditional stance on liquor.While the Saudi government has not made a formal public announcement, reports by BBC affirm that a discreet alcohol outlet in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter now sells alcoholic beverages to non-Muslim foreign residents meeting certain wealth and residency criteria. According to Arab Times Online, the exclusive shop in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter has been selling alcohol first to diplomats and now, by extension, to wealthy foreign professionals and long-term expats, despite the absence of a formal public announcement from Saudi authorities.
What’s changed in Saudi Arabia: From total ban to alcohol in restricted access
Alcohol has been banned across Saudi Arabia since 1952, when King Ibn Saud prohibited its sale and consumption, rooted in Islamic law and conservative social norms. Under those regulations, even diplomats could only access alcohol through imported diplomatic supplies or black-market channels.In January 2024, the first liquor shop in more than seven decades opened in Riyadh’s diplomatic district but only non-Muslim diplomats were initially permitted to purchase beer, wine and spirits under strict conditions. According to updated reporting, the group of people permitted to buy alcohol has recently expanded to include wealthy non-Muslim expatriates, notably those holding Premium Residency or those who can demonstrate a high monthly income.
How it works: Eligibility and access for alcohol in Saudi Arabia
Multiple reports, including analysis from Bloomberg, paint a more detailed picture of how access to alcohol is being managed –
- Premium Residency status: A special residence permit introduced in 2019 intended to attract skilled professionals, investors and entrepreneurs, is being used as a qualification criterion.
- Buyers often must demonstrate a high monthly income, with some sources mentioning thresholds equivalent to around 50,000 riyals ($13,300) per month to gain access.
- The shop itself remains discreet and unmarked, operating under strict controls and security practices that include eligibility checks and restrictions on photography or phones inside the premises.
This tiered access, allowing alcohol only for high-earning, non-Muslim residents with specific permits, highlights the cautious approach Riyadh is taking.
Who can buy alcohol: Wealth and residency requirements in Saudi Arabia
Under the evolving unofficial policy:
- Buyers must be non-Muslim expatriates residing in Saudi Arabia.
- Eligible individuals must hold a Premium Residency permit, a status granted to skilled professionals, investors and executives, typically requiring a substantial financial investment (the permit can cost around 100,000 Saudi riyals per year).
- Alternatively, expatriates may qualify by demonstrating a monthly salary of at least 50,000 riyals (approximately $13,300), a threshold that excludes most lower-income residents.
- Prospective buyers must present identification confirming their residency and religion, illustrating how tightly regulated and selective the program remains. Tourism and general public access, including for Saudis and Muslim residents, remain prohibited under current rules.
Despite the lack of an official announcement from the Saudi government, BBC-reported insights that the move is seen as an extension of broader reforms being pursued under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership. These reforms encompass economic diversification, social liberalisation and efforts to attract foreign talent and investment.
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The diplomatic-area store itself operates under unusually strict security conditions where mobile phones and cameras are banned inside, customers undergo identity checks and the shop is unmarked and omitted from public maps, reflecting caution in balancing tradition with change.Prices at the shop are reportedly high, often two to three times the cost of similar products in Western markets, a reflection of its exclusive status and perhaps a deliberate deterrent against widespread consumption.
How selective alcohol ban fits into Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s economic goals
This adjustment to long-standing alcohol policy aligns with the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s central strategy for diversifying its oil-dependent economy by boosting tourism, international business and investment while maintaining social order. Vision 2030 has already produced far-reaching changes: the lifting of the ban on women driving, major entertainment and cultural events and a move toward enhanced global tourism infrastructure, including projects like NEOM, the Red Sea resorts and expanded hospitality offerings.The decision to ease alcohol restrictions, even selectively, reflects a continuation of this pragmatic, measured approach to reform, aiming to maintain cultural values while attracting high-value expatriates to work, invest and settle in Saudi cities.
Social reaction and controversy regarding Saudi Arabia quietly opening doors for alcohol consumption
News of the policy change, even though incremental, has triggered global discussion. Some commentators see the move as a pragmatic adaptation to international norms, while others criticise it as elitist or symbolic rather than substantive reform, given access remains limited to high-income foreigners.
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Across social media and international news threads, critics argue that broad segments of society remain excluded from these benefits, while supporters point out that this could be a stepping stone toward more open policies in tourism hubs and licensed venues in the future.
Saudi Arabia’s expansion plans and future prospects
Reports suggest that Saudi authorities may open additional alcohol stores in cities such as Dhahran and Jeddah by 2026, aimed at serving non-Muslim employees of major corporations and diplomats. This incremental expansion underscores a cautious regime strategy with controlled liberalisation rather than full legalisation.There are possible future changes, reportedly, in designated tourism zones and high-end hotels, though official statements remain forthcoming. Importantly, while this limited access marks a notable departure from decades of absolute prohibition, official Saudi sources and past government statements have stressed that no complete legalisation of alcohol across the kingdom has been announced.In previous contexts, such as rumours about alcohol policies linked to hosting global events, officials have clarified that core restrictions would be maintained. Saudi Arabia’s move to permit alcohol sales to wealthy foreign residents, even on a highly restricted basis, is a landmark negotiation between deep-rooted cultural norms and modern economic imperatives.While the kingdom continues to uphold Islamic legal principles for its citizens and broader Muslim community, this policy adjustment signifies a targeted approach to liberalisation, aimed at attracting international talent and investment without undermining core societal values. Observers are now watching to see whether this measured opening will inform broader reforms, perhaps eventually extending to licensed venues, tourism zones and international events or whether it will remain a controlled concession for a select population. Go to Source
