Saudi Arabia has begun allowing a select group of wealthy foreign residents to legally purchase alcohol, marking a significant departure from a prohibition that has been in place for more than seven decades. The move, introduced quietly and without any formal government announcement, is being seen by observers as a potential precursor to a wider relaxation that could eventually include foreign tourists.
The change is unfolding discreetly in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, a leafy and affluent enclave long associated with embassies, upscale housing and a cosmopolitan atmosphere distinct from the rest of the capital. Hidden within an unmarked beige building in the area, a small liquor outlet has become the focal point of what many analysts describe as one of the kingdom’s most sensitive social experiments to date.
Saudi Arabia banned the sale of alcohol in 1952, a policy closely tied to its religious identity as the custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina. However, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom has embarked on far-reaching social and economic reforms aimed at modernising society and making the country more attractive to foreign investors, professionals and visitors. Over the past few years, cinemas have reopened, large-scale music and entertainment events have been hosted, women have been allowed to drive, and the authority of the religious police has been sharply reduced.
Against this backdrop, the controlled legalisation of alcohol sales to non-Muslim foreigners is being viewed as the boldest reform so far. The liquor store in Riyadh first opened in January 2024, but access was initially limited to non-Muslim diplomats. Towards the end of 2025, the eligibility criteria were quietly expanded to include wealthy non-Muslim expatriates residing in the kingdom.
To qualify, foreign residents must either hold a Premium Residency permit, which costs 100,000 Saudi riyals annually, or earn a monthly salary of at least 50,000 riyals. The Premium Residency programme is generally aimed at senior executives, investors and highly skilled professionals. Eligible buyers are required to present their residence identification cards, which specify religion and residency status, while those without the premium permit must also provide a company-issued salary certificate. Tourists are not permitted to enter the store.
Several expatriates who have used the facility described a tightly controlled but smooth process. Mobile phones are sealed in tamper-proof bags before entry, and while queues can last more than an hour, customers say purchases are straightforward once inside. Alcohol is sold under a points-based monthly quota system that allows for substantial quantities, with diplomats receiving additional discounts.
Customers report that the shop is well-stocked with beer, wine and spirits, though prices are significantly higher than in Western countries. However, they remain far below black-market rates that have long existed in the kingdom. Many buyers said they learned about the policy change through word of mouth, noting that the store has no visible signage and does not appear on online maps.
While authorities have remained silent, the development is widely seen as a calculated step in Saudi Arabia’s gradual social transformation, signalling a willingness to test boundaries while maintaining tight control over one of the country’s most sensitive issues.
