Saudi Arabia: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic

Extreme

Overall verdict for Saudi Arabia: Extreme. Below, the risk level of each of the 23 topics that get travellers fined or arrested. The exact rule, thresholds and penalties are in the LawsTravels app.

Saudi Arabia: read the 3 riskiest rules free →

🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Medicines, Smoking

The 23 topics at a glance

Banned or serious riskAllowed, with limitsRelaxed

Get the exact rules for your trip

This page gives you the level. The app gives you the rule, the numbers and the penalties for Saudi Arabia, offline, in 23 languages.

Saudi Arabia: read the 3 riskiest rules free →

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How Saudi Arabia compares

With 15 of 23 topics flagged red, Saudi Arabia is stricter than 10 of the 11 other countries in Middle East & Caucasus (regional average: 7.0). Worldwide, Saudi Arabia ranks #3 of 148 for strictness (tied with 1 other countries).

What sets it apart

Internet & VPN: flagged red here, while only 5 of 148 countries are this strict.
Medicines: flagged red here, while only 13 of 148 countries are this strict.
Alcohol: flagged red here, while only 13 of 148 countries are this strict.
Theft & scams: relaxed here, while 118 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.

What to watch most in Saudi Arabia

💉 Medicines · Guides by topic

ADHD medicine is the number one problem: banned outright in some countries, prescription or not.
Codeine and tramadol are ordinary painkillers in Europe and controlled narcotics in the Gulf and Egypt.
CBD is legal in much of Europe and completely banned in the Gulf and parts of Asia — including cosmetics.

🍺 Alcohol · Guides by topic

Drinking in the street: allowed in some countries, heavily fined in most tourist city centres.
Being visibly drunk in public is an offence in itself in the Gulf, in Japan's stations, and in many resort towns.
Sale hours: several countries block alcohol sales during afternoons, election days or religious holidays.

Saudi Arabia at a glance

CapitalRiyadh

CurrencySaudi Riyal (SAR)

LanguageArabic

Emergency number999

Driving sideRight

Mains voltage220 / 230 V

Calling code+966

Time zoneUTC+03:00

Plug typesG

Land borders🇦🇪 UAE (Dubai)Iraq🇯🇴 Jordan 🇰🇼 Kuwait 🇴🇲 Oman 🇶🇦 QatarYemen

Frequently asked questions

Is Saudi Arabia strict with tourists?

Overall verdict: Extreme. 15 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Medicines, Smoking, Alcohol, Sex & dating, Religion, Photo & video, Weapons, Fines, Behavior, Jail risk, Extradition, Internet & VPN, Drones, Politics & protest), 5 require caution.

What can get me fined or arrested in Saudi Arabia?

The strictest topics for travellers in Saudi Arabia are: Drugs, Medicines, Smoking, Alcohol, Sex & dating, Religion, Photo & video, Weapons, Fines, Behavior, Jail risk, Extradition, Internet & VPN, Drones, Politics & protest. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.

Where do I find the exact rules for Saudi Arabia?

In LawsTravels: open Saudi Arabia, each topic shows the level, the rule, the thresholds and what to do at customs, offline. 3 topics are free on every country; the other 20 unlock for the price of a coffee.

What is the emergency number in Saudi Arabia?

In Saudi Arabia, dial 999. Capital: Riyadh. Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR). Main language: Arabic.

Which side of the road do they drive on in Saudi Arabia?

In Saudi Arabia, traffic drives on the right. Mains voltage: 220 / 230 V. Calling code: +966. Time zone: UTC+03:00. Plug types: G.

Countries with the closest profile

🇦🇪 UAE (Dubai) 🇶🇦 Qatar 🇱🇾 Libya 🇰🇼 Kuwait 🇪🇬 Egypt 🇸🇩 Sudan

Levels summarise publicly available legal information for travellers and are not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies: confirm with the embassy or consulate of your destination.