A vacation can turn into an unpleasant crash course in local law before you’ve even managed to pull your passport out of your bag. Countries around the world protect culture, safety, or political systems in ways that—from a European perspective—can feel strict to the point of bizarre. The overview below highlights the most common “legal minefields” you really don’t want to step into; for each, you’ll find the country, what the rule is about, and the possible penalty.
| Topic | Where to watch out | What the rule is | Risk if you break it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public hugging and kissing | United Arab Emirates, Brunei | “Khalwat” — public modesty; a kiss or even an innocent hug can be treated as an offense against public morals | fine, detention, or deportation |
| Jokes about the head of state | Zimbabwe | Criticizing President Mnangagwa can be punished similarly to political agitation | fine or prison |
| Unrecognized religions | Eritrea | Only Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Islam are officially permitted | confiscation of property, long sentences |
| Photographing “sensitive” buildings | Equatorial Guinea, Algeria | Military sites, airports, and presidential residences are off-limits | equipment confiscation, questioning |
| Rude gestures | Qatar, Oman | The middle finger or swearing is treated as public obscenity | fine, deportation |
| The military in your lens | Israel | Ban on filming military patrols and checkpoints | memory card seized, short detention |
| Dress code | Saudi Arabia | Tight T-shirts, exposed shoulders, and dancing in the street violate “public decency” | fine, warning, possibly prison |
| Homosexuality | Sri Lanka, Uganda | Consensual same-sex relationships are still criminalized | fines up to imprisonment |
| Digital censorship | China | The “Great Firewall” blocks hundreds of services; a VPN may be illegal | fine, disconnection, or visa cancellation |
| Prescription medication | Japan | You can’t bring in pseudoephedrine and certain ADHD medications without special authorization | confiscation, administrative prosecution |
| Dress code plus hijab/niqab | Iran | Women’s hair and knees must be covered; checks are carried out by the morality police | fine, mandatory “re-education” course |
| Mandatory respect for the leader | North Korea | Tourists must pay respects to Kim family monuments with flowers and a bow | deportation, guide detained |
| Alcohol in public | Dubai, Brunei | After one drink too many, don’t head out onto the street | a fine higher than your plane ticket |
| Chewing gum and littering | Singapore | The sale of regular chewing gum is banned; littering brings steep fines | fine up to SGD 2,000; repeat offenses can include community service |
| Death penalty for drugs | Malaysia, Iran, Thailand | Possession of larger quantities is automatically treated as trafficking | the noose or a bullet — the statutes are unforgiving |
| Pornography | India, Bahrain | Possession or downloading obscene content is a criminal offense | court proceedings, IT confiscated |
| Chewing gum in public 2.0 | Thailand | Public transport and temples demand absolute cleanliness — chewing can cost several thousand baht | |
| Disrespecting the flag | Philippines | Damaging, defacing, or disrespecting the anthem — the “Flag and Heraldic Code” | heavy fines, up to a year in prison |
| Extreme speeding | Switzerland | Fines are calculated based on the driver’s income — speeding can be very expensive | thousands of CHF, vehicle confiscation |
| Crackdowns on smoking | Bhutan | The sale of cigarettes is banned; import is allowed only with a 100% duty | immediate fine and confiscation of goods |
| Face-covering ban | France | A 2010 law bans any face covering in public spaces, including the burqa | €150 and a mandatory “civics” lecture |
| Indecent selfie at a sacred site | Bali (Indonesia) | Nude or provocative photos at a temple = immediate deportation | deportation, mandatory purification ritual |
The common denominator? Most of these laws reflect values the local society is determined to protect—whether that’s public morality, political stability, or clean streets. For travelers, it boils down to one thing: before every flight, check the “Local Laws” section in official travel advice and don’t assume that what’s allowed at home will fly abroad.
In 2023, for example, two American backpackers learned the hard way after flying a drone over a peregrine falcon nesting site in Norway’s Jotunheimen National Park—although the fine was “only” €1,000, Norwegian media turned the incident into a cautionary tale for other tourists. The same year, Israeli police arrested a local influencer over an “Instagram” shot at an airfield from which it was possible to identify the positions of Iron Dome radar systems.
Video – 5 minutes on the world’s most bizarre bans
Sources
- U.S. Department of State – UAE Travel Advisory: local laws and public-morals offenses. Travel
- Wikipedia – Chewing Gum Sales Ban in Singapore: statutory wording and exemptions since 1992. Wikipedia
- Wikipedia – Capital Punishment & Dangerous Drugs Act, Malaysia. Wikipedia
- French Act 2010-1192 on Face Coverings – overview and penalties. Wikipedia
Robert
I’m interested in technology and history, especially true crime stories. For three years I ran a fact-based portal about modern history, and for a year I co-built a blogging platform where I published dozens of analytical articles. I founded offpitch so that quality content wouldn’t be hidden behind a paywall.
