Is Xanax (Alprazolam) legal in Saudi Arabia?

Legal status

Controlled psychotropic under Royal Decree M/39 (2005), Schedule 2 (psychotropic substances), Category D, Saudi adopts the 1971 Convention Schedule IV by reference for alprazolam; it appears by name (Xanax) on SFDA traveller-permit lists. Capital exposure attaches to smuggling or trafficking-with-intent-to-promote under Article 37 (no schedule carve-out); no alprazolam/benzodiazepine capital case is documented, so drug-specific capital application is left to confirmation.

Consequences if caught

Capital exposure: not established for this substance. Saudi Arabia retains the death penalty for drug offences, under Royal Decree M/39 of 2005, article 37, for smuggling or trafficking with intent to promote, and that much is established here. What is not established is this substance's own position under it: the source read here gives neither the article that would carry it nor any quantity at which it would apply. No threshold is stated in this cell because none was established. Do not read the absence of a figure as a safe amount. The country level position is the one to act on, and the substance specific position has to be settled against the current instrument.

If prescribed or medical

Prescribable controlled psychotropic (anxiolytic); import requires the SFDA Traveler's Permit, mandatory advance electronic clearance from 1 Nov 2025, with an attested prescription/medical report and ID; alprazolam (Xanax) is expressly named on SFDA permit guidance.

Documentation

Royal Decree M/39 (2005), Schedule 2 psychotropic substances (Category D = 1971 Convention Schedule IV), per SFDA General Provisions for the Schedules; SFDA Traveler's Permit guidance; Art. 37 penalties.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Saudi Arabia’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.