Top payment methods in Saudi Arabia: A guide on best ways to pay
Wondering what the most popular ways to pay are in Saudi Arabia? Explore the top payment options and choose wisely.
Saudi Arabia, with a population of around 36.01 million people, has a GDP of approximately 1.08 trillion making it the 19th largest economy in the world. The official currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal (SAR)
The world's largest oil exporter, its economy is dominated by the petroleum sector, with ongoing diversification efforts into tourism and services. It is the leading member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and a key player in OPEC, with China and India as major oil customers.
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|
| Population | 36.01 million |
| GDP (USD) | 1.08 trillion |
| Global Ranking | 19th |
| Currency | Saudi Riyal (SAR) |
Spend abroad with the mid-market exchange rate - no markups, and no sneaky transaction fees.
What is the main payment method in Saudi Arabia?
The dominant payment method in Saudi Arabia is Mada, the national debit card network, which is used for the vast majority of electronic transactions, both in-store and online. The seamless integration of the Mada network with Apple Pay has led to massive adoption of contactless mobile payments. STC Pay, a leading digital wallet, also provides a wide range of payment and international remittance services.
How to pay in Saudi Arabia
Each country has its own way of moving money, and choosing the right method can sometimes be difficult. That’s why we have curated the most popular and best payment options for you to use in Saudi Arabia.
| Payment Method | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | Wise provides international money transfer services. It is known for offering transparent, low-cost currency exchange rates and fast transfers. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate and charges a small, upfront fee, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional banks for sending money abroad. The platform also offers multi-currency accounts, allowing users to hold and manage money in multiple currencies. | Online/In-person |
| Cards (Mada, Visa, Mastercard) | The national debit card network, Mada, is the dominant payment method for retail transactions. It is co-branded with international schemes like Visa and Mastercard for wider acceptance. | Online/In-person |
| Digital Wallets (Apple Pay, Mada Pay) | Contactless payments are extremely popular. Apple Pay has a very high market share, and Mada Pay is the local equivalent, both linked to users' Mada cards. | In-person |
| Cash (Saudi Riyal) | While digital payments are heavily promoted and dominant in formal retail, cash is still widely used and necessary for certain transactions. | In-person |
| Bank Transfers (Sarie) | Sarie is the national instant payment system, allowing for real-time transfers between bank accounts, which is used for P2P and other payments. | Online |
Is PayPal available in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, PayPal is accepted in Saudi Arabia.
Cover all your international travel expenses with the Wise Multi-Currency Card
Whatever you need to buy during your trip, whether it’s a travel adapter, train ticket or an extra bottle of sunscreen, the Wise Multi-Currency Card has you covered.
You can spend like a local in 150+ countries, as this clever contactless card automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend - for just a small conversion fee.
And for extra convenience, you can add your Wise Multi-Currency Card to your Google Wallet or Apple Wallet. Then you can travel even lighter and pay using just your phone, with no need to pack the physical card.
Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.