What is the required salary to buy alcohol in Saudi Arabia? Here's the answer
In many countries around the world, including India, if you go to buy alcohol, you simply pay the price of the bottle and the shopkeeper will hand it to you. However, in Saudi Arabia, you must declare your salary or income before purchasing alcohol. Only then will you receive the bottle.
Although the sale and purchase of alcohol is currently prohibited in Saudi Arabia, non-Muslim foreigners living there can now purchase alcohol.
The country has loosened restrictions on the sale of alcohol. Foreigners living in the country will now be able to purchase alcohol, but they will need to disclose their salary at the store.
Several expatriates living in Saudi Arabia told AFP that the country has quietly loosened long-standing restrictions on the sale of alcohol, allowing non-Muslim foreigners to purchase alcohol.
Non-Muslim foreigners earning at least 50,000 riyals (about $13,300) a month can now purchase alcohol from the country's only government-approved liquor store in Riyadh. Previously, only those with premium visas or diplomatic visas were allowed to purchase alcohol.
Relaxation was given 2 years ago
Alcohol has been banned in Saudi Arabia since 1952. Two years ago, in January 2024, the first official liquor store for foreign diplomats was opened in the capital's diplomatic area.
This is the country's first and only legal liquor outlet. Now, two years later, foreign citizens can also purchase alcohol there.
Although the government has not issued an official statement on these new regulations, these changes indicate that the country is advancing its economic and social reforms to attract foreign workers, investors, and tourists.
Meanwhile, there are reports that preparations are underway to open liquor stores in other major cities across Saudi Arabia. It is reported that stores could also open in Jeddah and Dhahran by 2026.
Surprised people
"We were initially shocked and couldn't believe it," said a foreigner who bought alcohol from the shop. "We went in, got checked, and we were able to buy alcohol."
A female resident also said she had recently been able to buy alcohol. "People around us went crazy after hearing the news, as if they had never tasted alcohol before!"
Demand has increased since the rules were relaxed. It is reported that more than 12,500 foreigners holding premium visas have purchased alcohol from the Riyadh shop so far.