In a significant cultural shift and further alignment with Western-style social norms, Saudi Arabia has eased its long-standing restrictions on alcohol consumption, marking another major departure from the Kingdom’s conservative traditions.
The Gulf nation, known for its historically strict bans and severe penalties related to alcohol, has now granted permission for foreign residents to consume alcoholic beverages. This development comes shortly after the government allowed non-diplomatic staff to legally purchase drinks for the first time.
According to international media reports, the policy applies specifically to non-Muslim expatriates earning at least 50,000 Saudi riyals per month, which is approximately Rs3.7 million in Pakistani currency. Eligible residents can now buy alcohol from the country’s only licensed outlet.
The purchasing system is notably rigorous. Customers must present identification and financial documents to store personnel, who verify their monthly income through an official Saudi government platform before completing the transaction. This policy traces back to the premium residency program introduced in 2019, which targets highly skilled or wealthy foreigners. The program itself remains highly selective and requires applicants to pay a one-time fee of 800,000 riyals, equivalent to nearly Rs59 million.
Until now, alcohol consumption was largely limited to diplomatic compounds. Many expatriates resorted to brewing homemade wine or turning to an underground black market, where the price of a single bottle of whiskey could soar into hundreds of dollars.
This relaxation is widely seen as part of broader social and economic reforms being championed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. These reforms aim to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy beyond oil, strengthen the tourism industry, and make the Kingdom a more appealing destination for global investors and foreign professionals.
The latest move underscores how rapidly Saudi Arabia’s social landscape is evolving and signals the country’s continued push toward modernization
