Saudi Arabia Quietly Begins Alcohol Sales to Wealthy Foreign Residents

Saudi authorities have begun allowing the discreet sale of alcohol to select foreign residents, marking a notable shift in a policy that has been in place for more than seven decades.

According to a New York Times report, a liquor store in Riyadh has been offering whiskey, champagne, and other alcoholic beverages exclusively to non-Muslim foreigners who hold an expanded form of “premium residency.” The status is typically granted to wealthy or highly skilled expatriates working with state-owned enterprises or in strategic industries.

Although officials have not publicly announced any policy change, customers leaving the store described a rush of eager buyers filling their carts and spending thousands of dollars on drinks that have long been unavailable in the kingdom.

The change appears to come with a two-tier pricing structure. Several customers said diplomats were charged inflated prices, while premium residents paid even higher rates. While the ownership of the store remains unclear, aspects of its operation suggest state involvement.

Saudi Arabia banned alcohol in the 1950s, and for decades the country enforced strict social rules through religious police, mandated conservative dress, and prohibited women from driving. The kingdom has since moved through dramatic social reforms, now hosting mixed-gender events and allowing women greater freedom of movement and employment.

For years, much of the alcohol consumed privately by foreigners entered through diplomatic channels, which permitted unlimited imports. That system ended in January 2024, paving the way for new, tightly controlled avenues—such as the premium residency store—through which alcohol is now quietly being sold.