Laws in Saudi Arabia
How Saudi Arabia is classified on 34 of the 48 laws this site maps, grouped by subject. Each links to the full answer and its source.
Body & Life
- Abortion
- Legal (limited) Abortion is permitted on limited grounds such as a risk to health.
- FGM Laws
- No specific ban There is no specific legal ban on FGM.
- Surrogacy
- Banned Religious authorities prohibit the use of gestational carriers in Saudi Arabia.
- Organ Donor Consent
- Opt-in (explicit consent) Saudi Arabia requires express consent from the deceased or next of kin for organ donation.
Money & Games
- Gambling Age
- Gambling prohibited Gambling is prohibited at any age.
- Cryptocurrency
- Banking ban / restricted Cryptocurrency is legal to hold but banks are barred from handling it.
Daily Life
- Drinking in Public
- Illegal Alcohol is prohibited entirely in Saudi Arabia, including any public consumption.
- Public Smoking Bans
- Partial ban Saudi Arabia bans smoking in many public places and workplaces but allows it in some areas like private homes and certain venues.
- Driving Age
- 16–17 Minimum age to drive a car: 17.
Animals & Environment
- Fur Farming
- Legal No ban on fur farming.
- Cosmetic Animal Testing
- No ban No ban on testing cosmetics on animals.
Civic & Family
- Voting Age
- 18 The voting age is 18.
- Compulsory Voting
- Voluntary Voting is voluntary.
Relationships & Sexuality
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Not recognized Same-sex unions have no legal recognition.
- Same-Sex Activity
- Death penalty possible Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and can carry the death penalty under Sharia law.
- Age of Consent
- 18+ The age of consent is 18.
- Sex Work
- Illegal Prostitution is illegal in Saudi Arabia, punishable by prison, flogging, or death.
- Pornography
- Illegal Pornography is explicitly defined as a crime under Sharia Law.
- Divorce
- Legal Divorce is legal and generally available by mutual consent without fault.
- Same-Sex Adoption
- Not permitted Same-sex couples cannot adopt.
- Incest Laws
- Criminal offense
- Marriage Age
- 18+ Minimum marriage age: 18.
Speech & Belief
- Blasphemy Laws
- Death penalty possible Blasphemy is a criminal offense punishable by penalties up to the death penalty.
- Apostasy Laws
- Death penalty possible Apostasy is actively enforced with the death penalty under Sharia law in Saudi Arabia.
- Holocaust Denial
- No specific law No specific law against Holocaust denial.
- Flag Desecration
- Criminal offense Desecrating the national flag is considered blasphemy and is strictly prohibited.
- Conversion Therapy
- No ban No legal ban on conversion therapy.
Justice & Weapons
- Death Penalty
- Retained / in use Retained in law and used.
- Gun Laws
- Restrictive Handguns are licensed only at the authorities' discretion, or only to club members or existing owners.
- Military Conscription
- No conscription
Substances
- Cannabis
- Illegal Cannabis is illegal for all purposes.
- Drinking Age
- Alcohol prohibited
- Smoking Age
- 18 Minimum age to buy tobacco: 18.
- E-Cigarettes
- Regulated E-cigarettes are legal but nicotine strength is capped by law.
Nearby countries
A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.