Riyadh . Saudi Arabia has allowed non-Muslim foreign residents to buy a limited amount of alcohol, relaxing a decades-old alcohol ban. The change has started with the only licensed liquor shop in the capital Riyadh, which was previously only for foreign diplomats. Now even high income non-Muslim expats can buy liquor from here. According to reports, to purchase liquor, a non-Muslim foreigner will have to prove a monthly income of at least 50,000 Saudi Riyals (about US$13,300 or ₹11-12 lakh Indian rupees). For this it is mandatory to show salary slip or income certificate.
There is a monthly quota applied to shop entry and purchases, which is linked to a government ID. This facility is limited only to premium residency holders or high-income expats. A complete ban on alcohol remains in place for Saudi citizens and Muslims. The government has not yet given any official statement on this, and the information has come from anonymous sources. The move is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to boost tourism, investment and business while reducing dependence on oil. Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country is relaxing social restrictions, such as allowing women to drive, and exempting public entertainment and concerts. The limited sale of alcohol aims to attract foreign talent and investors to make Saudi a global business hub. There are also plans to open new shops in Jeddah and Dhahran in the coming years. This change is an important step towards giving Saudi Arabia a modern and investment-friendly image, although it is highly controlled and selective.
