Anti-Begging Law

Purpose and scope

• Prohibits begging in all forms whatever the justification, and the Ministry of Interior is responsible for arresting beggars (Article 2).
• A beggar is anyone who solicits others' money in cash or kind, directly or indirectly, in public places, private premises or through technology and social media; a habitual beggar is one arrested a second time or more (Article 1).

Key rules, rights and obligations

• A habitual beggar is referred to the investigating authority for legal action (Article 3).
• The ministry studies the situation of Saudi beggars, provides social, health, psychological and economic services and aftercare, and keeps a database of begging cases (Article 4).

Violations, penalties and common problems

• Habitual begging, or inciting or helping it: up to six months in prison, a fine of up to fifty thousand riyals, or both (Article 5).
• Within an organised begging group, or running beggars: up to one year in prison, a fine of up to one hundred thousand riyals, or both (Article 5).
• A convicted non-Saudi, other than the spouse or children of a Saudi, is deported and barred from returning except for Hajj or Umrah, and penalties may be doubled for a repeat (Article 5).
• Money obtained by begging or used for it is confiscated by court judgment, or a fine equal to its value is imposed if it cannot be seized (Article 6).
• Common problem: seeking donations through social media accounts with invented stories, which is a criminal form of begging (Article 1).

Procedures and key deadlines

• The Public Prosecution investigates and prosecutes before the competent court (Article 8), and the heavier penalty applies if the act is a crime under another law (Article 7).

An advisory summary prepared by Al-Bayan Al-Wadih Law Firm. It is not an official text and does not replace the law, its implementing regulations, or advice from a specialised lawyer. The official published text and its amendments prevail.