Liquor to flow freely in Saudi Arabia, Prince Salman’s efforts bear fruit; Read details here

New Delhi: Saudi Arabia has long been considered a conservative Islamic country, but now it is rapidly breaking these restrictions. Drinks will flow freely in Saudi Arabia. A major change has been made to the rules for purchasing alcohol in Saudi Arabia. Following this significant change in alcohol-related regulations, the availability of alcohol for tourists and visitors has gradually and quietly expanded, reflecting the country’s social and economic transformation.

Official announcement waited

According to the new rules, non-Muslim expatriates holding premium residency can now purchase alcohol from liquor stores in Riyadh, previously reserved only for foreign diplomats. While no official announcement has been made by the government, those who have made purchases have confirmed this, stating that they learned of the change verbally. Spokespersons for the Saudi Premium Residency Program and the Ministry of Information declined to comment on the matter. Experts consider this move another major step in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to formalise alcohol sales.

Alcohol sales regulations in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is working to develop tourism under Vision 2030. Therefore, several changes have been made to regulations, including those related to alcohol. The government aims to attract 150 million tourists annually by 2030, for which significant investments are being made in hotels, resorts, entertainment projects, and cultural events. However, Saudi Arabia remains largely a dry country, where the consumption and sale of alcohol are strictly restricted. This is why Saudi Arabia is considered less attractive to tourists than other Gulf countries like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Bahrain. To address this, the first liquor store opened in Riyadh last year, but it was exclusively for diplomats. Now, these outlets will also serve alcohol to a limited number of non-Muslim premium residency holders.

Premium Residency Program

The Premium Residency Program, launched by the Saudi government in 2019, is considered a means of attracting high-income professionals and foreign investors to the country. The program’s eligibility criteria were later expanded, and it is now open to expatriates with monthly incomes exceeding 80,000 riyals (approximately $21,000) or those employed in specific professional fields. Analysts believe that by restricting alcohol purchases to this specific group, the government is adopting a soft but pragmatic strategy to attract international talent and investment.