No, Public intoxication is illegal under Saudi Arabia’s Sharia-based legal framework, as outlined in the 2020 Penal Code (Article 37) and enforced by the Public Prosecution and the Ministry of Interior. Non-Muslim expatriates face deportation or imprisonment, while Muslims may receive lashings or fines. The 2026 National Human Rights Strategy has reinforced these penalties to align with Vision 2030’s social reforms.
Key Regulations for Public Intoxication in Saudi Arabia
- Sharia-Based Prohibition: Alcohol consumption and public intoxication are haram under Islamic law, criminalized under the 2020 Penal Code (Article 37) and the 2019 Anti-Narcotics Law, which treats intoxication as a public order offense.
- Enforcement Agencies: The Mutawa (Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice) and the Jawazat (Passport Department) collaborate with the Public Prosecution to detain offenders, particularly during religious seasons (e.g., Ramadan) or high-profile events.
- Expatriate Penalties: Foreign nationals caught intoxicated face immediate deportation (per the 2021 Labor Law amendments) alongside judicial proceedings, while Saudi citizens may receive corporal punishment (e.g., lashings) or fines up to SAR 50,000 (≈$13,300).