Saudi Arabia has moved to further ease its restrictions on alcohol sales by permitting non-Muslim foreign residents who earn at least 50,000 riyals ($13,300) per month to purchase alcoholic beverages, according to individuals familiar with the developments. These residents are required to show proof of income—typically a salary certificate—to gain entry to the kingdom’s only liquor shop, which operates in Riyadh. The store originally opened last year exclusively for foreign diplomats but recently broadened access to include non-Muslims holding premium residency status.

No official public announcement has been made regarding the expanded access, and the Saudi government did not immediately reply to requests for comment on Monday. People knowledgeable about the situation said customers are allowed to buy alcohol under a monthly point-based system that limits the quantity they can purchase. Bloomberg has also reported that new liquor stores are under construction in two additional cities, suggesting a cautious but continued shift in policy.

This gradual relaxation of alcohol rules fits into the kingdom’s larger strategy to loosen long-standing social restrictions and position Riyadh as a more attractive destination for investors and skilled expatriates. Saudi authorities view the inflow of foreign expertise and capital as essential to achieving the economic diversification goals outlined in the country’s long-term transformation plans.

The kingdom has implemented a series of significant social reforms, including lifting the ban on women driving, permitting public entertainment and mixed-gender events, and expanding tourism initiatives. These changes underscore the sensitive challenge of modernizing a nation that is both the birthplace of Islam and home to its two holiest sites.

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