Saudi Arabia has begun allowing foreign residents to purchase alcohol, ending a 73-year ban, officials and local reports confirmed.

The move applies to wealthy, non-Muslim expatriates living in the kingdom and is being seen as a significant step in the country’s ongoing social and economic reforms. Commentators expect the relaxed rules may soon extend to visitors.

Riyadh, the kingdom’s diplomatic and administrative hub, has long prohibited alcohol. The city attracts young Saudis and expatriates with its embassies, modern residences, green spaces, and growing cultural scene.

The ban, first introduced in 1952, had been a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s strict interpretation of Islamic law. In recent years, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom has pursued measures to broaden its international appeal, reopening cinemas and hosting major music festivals while encouraging investment.