Saudi Arabia Reportedly Extends Alcohol Sales to High-Earning Non-Muslim Residents

Overview

• Multiple outlets report that the Riyadh government-run liquor store now allows non-Muslim foreign residents earning at least 50,000 riyals a month to buy alcohol.
• Prospective buyers must present a salary certificate for entry, with purchases limited by a monthly point-based allowance, according to people familiar with the process.
• The outlet opened in 2024 for diplomats and more recently permitted access for non-Muslims with premium residency status.
• Reports indicate additional stores are planned in Jeddah and Dhahran to serve non-Muslim foreigners, though timelines and official details remain unconfirmed.
• Officials have not publicly confirmed the expansion, local coverage has been scant, and the high income threshold effectively excludes most lower-paid migrant workers given average salaries near 10,250 riyals per month.