Based on a proposal presented by the Crown Prince, a monthly allowance of SAR 500 for employees, retirees, and social security beneficiaries, along with raising the minimum wage required for a Saudi employee to be fully counted under the Nitaqat program to SAR 6,000 in two stages, coinciding with adjustments to electricity and water tariffs.

Riyadh | October 25, 2026

BETH News Agency

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, based on a proposal presented by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has directed the implementation of a package of measures to support citizens and ease living expenses, coinciding with the announced adjustments to electricity and water consumption tariffs, effective January 1, 2027.

The directives include an increase of SAR 500 in the monthly allowance for civilian and military employees covered by civil service pay scales and operational program provisions, retirees, and family members of deceased contributors or retirees covered by the Social Insurance Law.

The measures also include monthly support of SAR 500 for families benefiting from social security, in accordance with the applicable mechanisms and regulations, to help mitigate the financial impact of adjustments to electricity and water tariffs.

Raising Wages for Saudi Employees

The measures also extend to Saudi employees working in private-sector establishments by raising the minimum wage required for a Saudi employee to be counted in full toward Saudization ratios under the Nitaqat program, in two stages:

First Stage: Raising the minimum wage to SAR 5,000, with implementation beginning six months after the effective date of the measure.

Second Stage: Raising the minimum wage to SAR 6,000, 12 months after the first increase takes effect.

The decision aims to enhance wage levels and ensure sustainable employment for Saudi citizens in the private sector by linking the full counting of Saudi employees toward Saudization ratios to a higher wage level.