When entering Saudi Arabia, you must comply with the current entry regulations. We explain what you need to pay attention to before and after crossing the border and which documents you need for your journey.
You must have valid travel documents to enter Saudi Arabia. These include:
There are no special regulations for entering Saudi Arabia with children. Only in case a minor child travels alone do they have to carry a letter of consent from their legal guardians along with a copy of their identification documents and the child's birth certificate.
If you have a dual nationality from Saudi Arabia in addition to the nationality of your home country, you will be treated solely as a citizen of Saudi Arabia as soon as you cross the border. This also applies to minors under the age of 21 who, according to Saudi law, are not allowed to leave the country without the consent of their (Saudi) father!
Saudi Arabian border officials will make the final decision on your eligibility to enter the country at the border counter. For this purpose, they will check all the documents you present and may ask you some questions. You will be judged according to the following criteria:
Currently, there are no mandatory vaccinations for Saudi Arabia unless you have been in a yellow fever or poliomyelitis area prior to your departure.
Pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia are subject to special health and vaccination requirements, which are published annually by the Saudi Ministry of Health.
The following travel vaccinations are recommended for Saudi Arabia:
An international health insurance that covers all possible costs (e.g., treatment and hospital fees, return flight) is highly recommended for travelers to Saudi Arabia.
Usually, only private healthcare facilities are freely accessible to foreigners in Saudi Arabia. State clinics can only be used in emergency situations.
The import regulations for Saudi Arabia are very strict. Observe the following regulations and warnings:
Bringing drugs, alcohol, weapons, pork, and pornographic material into Saudi Arabia is strictly prohibited.
Please note: Saudi Arabia is a very conservative society where women must be covered from head to toe in public. What most of the world view as a harmless image (e.g., a model's bare arms and legs, too much cleavage) may be considered pornographic material in Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, bringing Bibles and other religious scriptures or videos can lead to problems at the border and confiscations.
The importation of drugs, even in small quantities, is punished very severely in Saudi Arabia. Even the death penalty can be imposed for it!
You are allowed to bring cash, convertible funds, precious metals, and precious stones to Saudi Arabia up to a total value of SAR 60,000 (approximately € 12,000). If you are carrying means of payment that exceed this value, you must complete the customs declaration of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Finance.
You may transport prescription drugs to Saudi Arabia. However, these must not exceed the amount you need for a maximum of 90 days. Furthermore, you must present a medical certificate and a prescription for the medication to the Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) at the border.
If you wish to bring pets such as dogs or cats to Saudi Arabia, you will need a veterinary certificate that includes proof of all necessary vaccinations and confirms that the animal is in good health. The veterinary certificate must also be authenticated by your country's Saudi Arabian embassy. To find out what conditions you must meet to import pets, contact the Saudi Arabian Embassy in your home country.
The following products may be brought into the country only with a special permit from the Saudi Arabian authorities:
You can view the complete list of the import regulations in Saudi Arabia here.