Is Tramadol legal in Saudi Arabia?
Also known as: ultram
- Legal status
- Tramadol is a controlled narcotic/psychotropic in Saudi Arabia under the Law of Combating Narcotics (Royal Decree M/39, 2005) and the SFDA controlled-drug schedules, requiring pre-arrival SFDA e-clearance (effective 1 November 2025).
- 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
- Dispensed as a controlled narcotic/psychotropic on prescription.
- Documentation
- A prescription alone is insufficient, obtain SFDA e-clearance before travel and carry a doctor's letter with original packaging and a personal quantity only.
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Court records
We have not yet assessed whether court records are publicly available for this jurisdiction.
Tramadol in related jurisdictions
Other substances confirmed in Saudi Arabia
Same substance, other countries
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.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately, not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →