Saudi Arabia begins selling alcohol to non-Muslim residents — but only if they’re rich enough

Saudi Arabia is loosening its staunch restrictions on alcohol sales for non-Muslim foreign residents, but only if they earn enough money to qualify.

Many practicing Muslims, particularly those in sects that lean more conservatively, abstain from consuming alcohol and other drugs to follow the tenets laid out in the Quran.

Since Islam is the official state religion in Saudi Arabia, the Quran’s principles have shaped its laws and social guardrails, though many like a countrywide ban on women driving have been reversed in recent years.

Now, non-Muslim foreign residents will be able to purchase alcohol in Saudi Arabia — but only if they make more than 50,000 riyals, or roughly $13,300, per month, sources familiar with the shift told Bloomberg.

The average monthly salary in Saudi Arabia is 10,250 riyal, or $2,750, according to a report from a Saudi law firm.

Residents interested in the new deal are required to show a salary certificate proving their income just to be allowed entry into the country’s only liquor store, located in its capital city Riyadh, sources told the outlet.

The liquor store opened last year and only sold spirits to foreign diplomats, but recently began offering access to non-Muslims with premium residency status.

The Premium Residency program, or the Saudi Green Card, is available to foreign “skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, talents, and investors” who have stayed in Saudi Arabia for at least 30 months over five years, according to the Saudi Visa website.

Customers previously had to register for slots at the liquor store through a mobile app, where they would receive a clearance code from the foreign ministry and set monthly quotas with their purchases.

A similar system appears to still be in place. Sources told the outlet that would-be customers can make purchases through a point-based system that sets a monthly allowance.

The move comes as Saudi Arabia tries to make its capital city a more competitive hub for international business and investment, plus efforts to expand its foreigner population, as part of its Vision 2030 plan.