Saudi Arabia Quietly Opens Alcohol Access To Wealthy Foreign Residents

Saudi Arabia, long known for its strict ban on alcohol, is reportedly allowing some wealthy foreign residents to purchase whiskey and champagne, according to The New York Times.

The store, which was previously limited to diplomats, is now said to sell alcohol to non-Muslim foreigners holding “premium residency” permits, five customers told the newspaper.

Premium residency is a special status granted to highly skilled or affluent expatriates working in strategic sectors such as healthcare or state-owned enterprises. The sources spoke anonymously due to local sensitivities and the desire to maintain continued access to the store.

No official announcement has been made about changes to the kingdom’s alcohol policy. However, the unmarked Riyadh store reportedly sees significant traffic, with luxury SUVs lining up outside its gated location in the Diplomatic Quarter. A receipt seen by the newspaper showed a bottle of mid-range white wine priced at about $85, more than five times the cost in the U.S.

The store appears to operate under government oversight, with purchases limited by a monthly quota linked to government-issued IDs. Access requires a smartphone app created by the tax and customs authority. A Saudi government media office did not respond to requests for comment.

The move comes as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s wider social and economic reforms. In recent years, the kingdom has eased restrictions on women, hosted mixed-gender events, and gradually relaxed other social regulations. Analysts suggest that permitting controlled alcohol sales could help attract foreign professionals, increase tourism, and generate revenue, while still managing conservative public sentiment.