Saudi Arabia’s National Arabic language policy: What businesses need to know

Approved by the Saudi Council of Ministries, Saudi Arabia has officially adopted the “National Arabic Language Policy,” marking a notable development in how Arabic is positioned and used across different sectors in the Kingdom. This decision reflects national pride and affirms the Arabic language as a fundamental element of the Kingdom’s future.

Background

This policy extends beyond administrative guidance and reflects a broader cultural and national direction. As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has modernised and integrated into the global economy, concerns became evident regarding the impact of increased reliance on English on cultural identity. These concerns led to the reaffirmation of the Arabic language as a core element of national identity, thereby placing it at the centre of wider discussions around culture and social values in the Kingdom. Although Arabic has always been incorporated in the Kingdom’s governance, as reflected and codified in foundational laws and reinforced through decades of royal decrees, the new policy does not operate as a standalone enforcement instrument. Instead, it provides a unified framework and guiding principles for public, private, and non-profit entities to enhance the role of the Arabic language across society. On that basis, the policy aims at strengthening cultural identity and linguistic sovereignty, in addition to influencing how businesses communicate and operate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

Is the Policy Mandatory and Why Does It Matter for Businesses?

Businesses entering the Saudi market are expected to give due consideration to the use of Arabic when presenting their products and services. Working with licenced translation offices and localisation ensures that businesses are complying with cultural, legal, and linguistic requirements, enabling foreign companies to establish a strong and effective market presence. When looking at the legislative aspect in the Kingdom, the care for the Arabic language is evident in many regulations and decisions issued in various aspects, including:

• Royal Will No. (5604/20/8) dated 22/2/1374H (corresponding to 20/10/1954), concerning the Saudi Arabian Nationality Law, which provides that proficiency in the Arabic language is a requirement for any person granted Saudi nationality. 
• Council of Ministers Resolution No. (266) dated 21/2/1398H (corresponding to 29/1/1978), which provides that foreign companies and institutions, and their branches and offices operating within the territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, must use the Arabic language in their correspondence with government authorities, and that violations are subject to penalties.
• High Order No. (3/H/15351) dated 20/6/1400H (corresponding to 6/5/1980), which confirms mandatory use of Arabic in government and state‑owned entity correspondence and contracting with foreign parties.
• High Order No. (7/1724/M) dated 10/9/1408H (corresponding to 26/4/1988), which confirms the obligation to adhere to the rules of the Arabic language in all uses.
• High Order No. (42808) dated 18/9/1433H (corresponding to 6/8/2012), which requires the Arabic version of bilingual international agreements to have equal legal evidentiary value.

While the policy allows the use of other languages where necessary, particularly in international or technical contexts, it affirms Arabic as the official and principal language for governmental, business, and administrative activities in the Kingdom. Where another language is used, Arabic is generally required alongside it, and many government authorities require documents to be submitted in Arabic or accompanied by certified Arabic translations.

Key Principles of the National Arabic Language Policy

The policy rests on a set of core principles that emphasize Arabic as a key component of national identity, cultural security, and institutional governance, including but not limited to:

• Arabic as the official language
  
  Arabic is mandated for use by public entities in their official work, with any use of another language being supplementary to, and not a replacement for, Arabic where required. The policy also encourages private and non‑profit entities to prioritise Arabic in communications and documentation, in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
   
• Establishing Arabic in business
  
  Arabic should be incorporated across administrative functions, correspondence, communication, recruitment, and other areas. Businesses are encouraged to leverage Arabic as a strategic asset, supporting the development of economic opportunities linked to language and culture.
   
• Enhancing Arabic in public life
  
  To ensure that Arabic is visible and actively used in the day-to-day operations of all sectors, the policy promotes its widespread use in contracts, certificates, awards, signage, invoices, advertisements, place names, initiatives, conferences, seminars, and similar contexts.

While the policy sets out additional principles relating to education, research, media, international engagement, and cultural and artistic activity, the principles most relevant to businesses are those relating to the official status of Arabic, its use in the public linguistic landscape, and its role in commercial and administrative activities.

What Businesses Should Be Considering Now

In practical terms, businesses may wish to review how Arabic is currently used across their operations, including contracts, customer‑facing materials, internal communications, digital platforms, and interactions with government authorities. Sectors that are highly regulated or that engage closely with public entities may be more directly affected as the policy is implemented. Businesses should also monitor further guidance or sector‑specific measures issued in connection with the policy. Early awareness and proactive review may assist in mitigating future compliance risk, supporting smoother engagement with regulators and stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with evolving language expectations in the Saudi market.

Article co-authored by Jawaher Alkathiri