Saudi Arabia has recently loosened its strict rules on alcohol, but only for a small group of non-Muslim foreign residents. People in this group who earn about $13,300 per month (around ₹12 lakh) can now buy alcohol from the country’s only liquor store in Riyadh, according to Bloomberg.

This is a big change for a country where many Muslims avoid alcohol because of religious teachings in the Quran. Saudi Arabia is also home to Islam’s two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. Traditionally, alcohol has been banned in the kingdom, and strict laws have been in place for decades. However, in recent years, Saudi Arabia has been slowly relaxing some rules, like allowing women to drive.

The liquor store in Riyadh is located in the diplomatic quarter and opened in January 2024 after more than 70 years of prohibition. Initially, it was only for foreign diplomats and holders of Premium Residency, such as entrepreneurs and major investors. Diplomats used to import alcohol in sealed packages, and they had to register via a mobile app to get a monthly purchase quota. Now, high-income non-Muslim residents can also buy alcohol. Saudi Arabia plans to open new liquor stores in two other cities, Jeddah and Dhahran, soon.

To buy alcohol, foreign residents must show proof of their income at the store. This means the average worker, who earns about $2,750 per month (₹2.47 lakh), cannot access alcohol. Only the wealthy foreigners are eligible. The strict alcohol prohibition started in 1952 after the son of King Abdulaziz killed a British diplomat in a drunken incident. The new rule is a significant step in relaxing these long-standing restrictions.

This move is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to attract international business, tourists, and diversify the economy away from oil. The government is also preparing to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, and easing alcohol restrictions is seen as part of making the country more welcoming to foreigners and international events.