Alcohol Rules for Tourists and Visitors in Saudi Arabia
When it comes to a suitable beverage for any occasion, many people find it hard to find anything that beats alcohol. However, while the Western world is known for its love for alcohol, the opposite is true in most Asian nations.
In particular, the Muslim dominant nations have always held a strong stance against the consumption of alcohol as it is seen as highly disrespectful to religious norms. While over time, many of these nations have reduced their restrictions on alcohol consumption, Saudi Arabia has stood strong on its ban on alcohol consumption.
So, keep reading to learn all the alcohol rules for tourists and visitors in Saudi Arabia.
Why is Saudi Arabia Against Alcohol Consumption?
The restrictions in Saudi Arabia against alcohol consumption mostly stem from the Muslim culture that is dominant inside the country. Saudi Arabia is known as the birthplace of Muslim Religion and as such holds significant importance for every Muslim follower around the world.
In particular, the interpretation of the Sharia law (one of the schools of thought in Muslim Culture) forbids the consumption of alcohol as it is mentioned as one of the haram acts under Sharia Law.
While other Muslim-dominated nations around the South are not as strict on alcohol consumption, Saudi Arabia's importance to the Muslim Culture has led the country to have one of the strictest stances on this subject.
Saudi Arabia's Punishments and Prohibited Acts Related to Alcohol
There are severe punishments that Saudi Arabia dishes out to anyone who is seen consuming, storing, or selling alcohol within the country. In Saudi Arabia, people who are caught committing such actions may be subjected to:
- Serving a prison sentence
- Heavy fines
- Public flogging that can include almost 360 lashes
- Deportation from the country
If caught engaging in any activity related to alcohol, you can't expect to receive just one of these punishments; most of the time, it will be a combination of several. The country is reported to have conducted several raids of secret distilleries and has rigorous border checks to prevent the smuggling of alcohol within the country.
Saudi Arabia also has a defined list of goods that will incur these punishments if anyone is found engaging in them within the country. These include:
- Alcohol-flavored products.
- Alcohol flavoring extracts.
- Cooking wines.
- Wine-making kits.
- Alcohol books on producing such beverages or dishes using alcohol or extracts as a component.
- Distillation equipment.
It should be obvious, but if you are caught trading in these items rather than consumption, your punishment is going to be more severe. Keep in mind that these same rules apply equally to tourists from foreign countries as well.
Pleading ignorance of law is not a valid defense in Saudi Arabia for consuming, making, or trading alcohol in the country and even tourists will be subjected to the same punishments that the locals are subjected to if caught.
Can I Get Alcohol Inside Hotels in Saudi Arabia?
A common relaxation in alcohol laws for tourists in most Muslim-dominated countries is that you can consume alcohol inside hotel premises. Sadly, this is not the case in Saudi Arabia, consuming alcohol inside hotel premises whether in hotel restaurants, bars, or private minibars will lead to severe punishments.
Hotels are also prohibited from serving their guests any alcohol-related dishes so you are out of luck to buy alcohol in Saudi Arabia for now. However, there is hope for tourists since Saudi Arabia is planning to lower its restrictions on alcohol consumption for non-muslims to increase tourism within the country.
The progress on this is presently slow due to anger of the locals, but it is expected that by 2030, non-muslim tourists will not face any restrictions to consume alcohol in Saudi Arabia. Presently, hotels in Saudi Arabia offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverages and a ton of fun activities for their guests which keeps them happy without the consumption of alcohol.
Saudi Vision 2030 Development Plan
The Saudi Vision 2030 Development Plan is an initiative in which the Saudi Arabian government wishes to improve its tourism industry to diversify the economic growth of the country which currently depends mostly on the oil reserves of the country.
The plan is to encourage more tourism and spending by the younger generations by providing them with places to enjoy their life.
To achieve this, the government plans to build several hotels, resorts, entertainment areas, and most importantly, reduce strictness on alcohol-related laws. The government has already started the work towards this plan by opening the first alcohol bar in January 2024 and a nightclub for party-loving youngsters.
The country has also lifted restrictions on consuming alcohol by diplomats who are non-Muslim. Previously, they were allowed to bring alcohol into the country via sealed packages known as diplomatic pouches, but there is no need to do this.
The First Bar In Saudi Arabia
The bar opened in January 2024 is a government-run alcohol store that is significant in that it is the first bar opened in Saudi Arabia in almost 70 years of the country's history. The main objective behind this move from the government is to reduce the illegal manufacturing and smuggling of alcohol into the country.
However, there are still many restrictions that are imposed by the government of Saudi Arabia. One of these is who can enter this store. Presently, only non-muslim diplomats are allowed to enter this store to purchase alcohol.
They are also allowed to store any bought alcohol from this store with them and are allowed to take the stored alcohol out of the country after the end of their term. Other than these, there are several other rules which are mentioned below:
Individuals under the age of 21 years are prohibited from entering this store.
Every diplomat will be allotted 240 points each month, and this will be the limit of their alcohol consumption. These points are the currency for purchasing alcohol in this store. Prices here are as follows:
- 6 points for every liter of Spirits
- 1 liter of wine will cost 3 points
- A liter of beer is only 1 point.
Prior authorization must be requested from the government. This can be done through an app and once the official consent from the Government is received, people can enter inside the shop.
Cell phones are prohibited inside the store and visitors must wear modest clothing inside the liquor store.
Whoever wishes to make the alcohol purchase must visit the store in person. Purchasing on behalf of someone is strictly prohibited.
General Tips Regarding Alcohol Consumption for Tourists Visiting Saudi Arabia
For tourists who are used to the norms of the West, you must keep the following things in mind when planning a trip to Saudi Arabia:
Research and Familiarize with Social Norms
In most Asian countries including Saudi Arabia, disrespecting the social norms can cause a lot of trouble for tourists with both locals and officials. So, do research and familiarize yourself with the norms of the local population before traveling to Saudi Arabia.
Do Not Ask Inappropriate Questions
When in Saudi Arabia, do not ask locals questions like: Where can I find alcohol? Which alcohol is the best in the country? These can be perceived as highly disrespectful and will cause problems for you. So, maintain decent etiquette.
Consume Alternatives
Saudi Arabia has a large selection of tasty dishes that are served with some excellent beverages like coffee, tea, and fruit juices. These can help you during your cravings for a drink without resorting to alcohol.
Saudi Arabia is a great tourist destination in the West Asia region. The nation has several important places to the Muslim culture like Jeddah and Makkah along with several beaches and desert scenery for you to enjoy. While its current position on alcohol is very much against it, this is set to change soon.
So, if you wish to visit Saudi Arabia, start applying for your Saudi Arabia tourist e-visa as early as possible and start booking your reservations in advance.
Check your eligibility for Online Saudi Visa and apply for Online Saudi Visa 3 days in advance of your flight. Austrian citizens, Cypriot citizens, Finnish citizens, Malaysian citizens and Croatian citizens can apply online for Online Saudi Visa.