Saudi Arabia Opens Limited Alcohol Sales to Wealthy Foreign Residents

Saudi Arabia has begun a tightly controlled rollout allowing a select group of wealthy foreign residents to legally purchase alcohol, signaling another cautious shift in the kingdom’s long-standing social policies. The change follows decades of a total ban and is being implemented without public fanfare.

The sales are taking place in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, an upscale area housing embassies and high-end residences. A low-profile retail outlet there is serving as the pilot location for the policy, which permits non-Muslim foreigners to buy alcoholic beverages under strict conditions.

Alcohol was prohibited nationwide in 1952, a rule closely tied to Saudi Arabia’s religious identity as custodian of Islam’s two holiest cities. However, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s broader reform agenda, the kingdom has eased several social restrictions in recent years as it seeks to modernise its economy and attract foreign investment.

The store reportedly began operations in early 2024 but initially catered only to diplomats. New guidelines introduced quietly toward the end of 2025 expanded eligibility to include affluent expatriates who meet specific financial and residency criteria. Eligible buyers must either hold a Premium Residency permit,typically issued to senior executives, investors and specialised professionals or earn a high monthly income.

Access remains highly regulated. Customers are required to present official identification indicating their residency status and religion, and purchases are subject to a monthly quota system. Tourists are excluded, and there has been no indication of when, or if, access might be broadened further.

Those who have visited the outlet describe a tightly managed process. Phones are secured upon entry, queues can be lengthy, and prices are significantly higher than in most international markets. Even so, legal availability is viewed by some expatriates as preferable to the risks and inflated costs of the black market.

Saudi authorities have not issued a formal announcement on the policy, and the outlet is not publicly listed. Analysts say the low-key approach reflects the sensitivity of alcohol-related reforms in the kingdom, even as expectations grow that controlled access could eventually be extended to a wider foreign population as part of Saudi Arabia’s gradual opening.