30 Strange Laws Abroad That Get Tourists Arrested in 2026

Every year, thousands of tourists get fined, detained, or deported for breaking laws they didn't know existed. Not serious crimes — things like wearing the wrong shorts, taking the wrong photo, or carrying the wrong medication.

Here are 30 real laws from around the world. Every single one has resulted in actual tourist arrests or fines.

Key Takeaways

Thailand has the most tourist-trap laws (vaping, stepping on money, topless beaches, drone use)
UAE/Dubai is the strictest on behavior (swearing, PDA, alcohol, VPN use)
Singapore has the harshest fines (chewing gum up to $100,000)
Medication is the most dangerous blind spot — Japan and UAE ban common over-the-counter drugs
Photography laws vary wildly — always ask before photographing people, religious sites, or government buildings
"I'm a tourist" is never a defense — ignorance of the law doesn't protect you in any country

Travel smart. Research first. Don't end up in a jail cell over a piece of chewing gum.

Last updated: March 31, 2026

Clothing & Appearance

1. Wearing camouflage — Caribbean, Africa, Oceania

In Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad, St. Lucia, Antigua, Grenada, Zimbabwe, Oman, and several Pacific Islands, wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians. It's reserved for military personnel. Tourists have had clothes confiscated at the airport. In some countries, you can be detained.

Penalty: Confiscation, fines up to $1,000, or detention.

2. Going shirtless — Barcelona, Spain

Walking shirtless or in a bikini outside the beach area in Barcelona carries a fine of up to €300. The same applies in other Spanish coastal cities including Valencia and Mallorca.

3. Wearing high heels at ancient sites — Greece

In Greece, wearing stilettos or high heels at archaeological sites like the Acropolis is banned. The sharp heels damage ancient stone. You'll be turned away at the entrance.

4. Not wearing a top — Thailand

Women going topless on beaches in Thailand is illegal, despite what some tourists assume. Fine: up to ฿5,000 ($140).

Food, Drink & Substances

5. Chewing gum — Singapore

Importing or selling chewing gum in Singapore has been illegal since 1992. First offense: $5,500 fine. Repeat offenders face up to $100,000 or 2 years in jail. Therapeutic gum (nicotine) is allowed with a prescription.

6. Vaping — Thailand

Bringing a vape or e-cigarette into Thailand is illegal. Not just "frowned upon" — actually illegal. Penalty: up to 10 years in prison or a fine of ฿500,000 ($14,000). Tourists have been arrested at airports.

Also banned in: Singapore, India, Brazil, Qatar, UAE (though enforcement varies).

7. Feeding pigeons — Venice, Italy

Feeding pigeons in St. Mark's Square in Venice has been illegal since 2008. Fine: up to €700. The law was introduced because pigeon droppings were damaging the historic buildings.

8. Drinking in public — Many countries

You'd be surprised how many places ban public drinking:

Dubai/UAE: Illegal everywhere, including beaches. Fine: AED 2,000+, possible detention
Japan: Legal almost everywhere (even on trains)
Amsterdam: Illegal on streets and parks despite the city's liberal reputation
India: Varies by state. Completely banned in Gujarat, Bihar, and Nagaland

9. Bringing common medications — Japan, UAE, Singapore

Sudafed, Vicks inhalers, and codeine-based medications are illegal in Japan. Adderall is banned. Even some cold medicines available over-the-counter in the US can get you arrested.

In Dubai, carrying melatonin (legal everywhere else) can cause problems — it's classified as a controlled substance.

Always check your destination's banned medication list before packing. Even prescription drugs legal at home may be controlled abroad.

Photography & Technology

10. Photographing the Eiffel Tower at night — France

The Eiffel Tower's light show is copyrighted. Taking photos of the illuminated tower at night and using them commercially is technically a copyright violation. Personal photos are fine, but publishing them (even on a blog for ad revenue) is a gray area.

11. Taking selfies with Buddha — Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, taking a selfie with your back to a Buddha statue is illegal and considered deeply disrespectful. Tourists have been deported for this. The law applies to tattoos of Buddha as well — tourists have been denied entry for visible Buddha tattoos.

12. Using a drone — Many countries

Flying a drone without a permit is illegal in Thailand, Morocco, India, Egypt, Kenya, Turkey, Cuba, and Iran. Drones can be confiscated at customs. In some countries, you need to register with aviation authorities weeks in advance.

13. Using a VPN — China, Russia, UAE

In China, most VPNs are blocked. In Russia and UAE, using a VPN to access blocked content is technically illegal. In practice, millions of people use them, but you can be fined if caught.

Money & Commerce

14. Stepping on currency — Thailand

In Thailand, stepping on a banknote or coin is a criminal offense because Thai currency bears the King's image. This falls under lèse-majesté laws. Penalty: up to 15 years in prison.

15. Tipping — Japan

In Japan, tipping is considered rude. Leaving money on the table at a restaurant may result in the staff chasing you down the street to return it. It implies their service was inadequate and they need charity.

16. Bargaining at fixed-price shops — Singapore, Japan

While bargaining is expected in markets across Thailand and India, doing it in fixed-price shops in Singapore or Japan is considered offensive.

Driving & Transport

17. Dirty cars — Russia, Dubai

In Moscow, driving a visibly dirty car can get you fined. The law is vaguely worded ("maintaining a clean vehicle appearance"), but fines range from $30-100.

In Dubai, leaving a dirty car parked for too long can result in it being towed and fined.

18. Running out of fuel on the Autobahn — Germany

In Germany, running out of fuel on the Autobahn is illegal. The reasoning: it's preventable and causes a dangerous hazard on a highway with no speed limit. Fine: up to €70 plus towing charges.

19. Honking — Many places

New York City: Honking is technically illegal unless there's imminent danger. Fine: $350. (Almost never enforced.) UK: Honking between 11:30 PM and 7 AM in residential areas is illegal.

Public Behavior

20. Swearing — UAE

In Dubai and the broader UAE, swearing in public — including online and in text messages — is a criminal offense. Tourists have been jailed for sending angry WhatsApp messages. Fine: AED 10,000+ or deportation.

21. PDA (Public displays of affection) — UAE, Malaysia, India

Kissing in public in Dubai can result in fines or deportation. Holding hands is generally tolerated, but anything beyond that is risky. In conservative areas of Malaysia and India, PDA can attract police attention.

22. Being drunk in a pub — UK

Under the Licensing Act of 1872, being drunk in a pub in the UK is technically illegal. The publican can refuse to serve you and call the police. This is rarely enforced, but the law exists.

23. Flushing the toilet after 10 PM — Switzerland

In Switzerland, some apartment buildings prohibit flushing the toilet after 10 PM to reduce noise. While not a national law, it's part of many Swiss lease agreements and building regulations.

24. Whistling at night — Hawaii

Whistling at night in Hawaii is considered an invitation to evil spirits in Hawaiian culture. While not a criminal offense, locals take it seriously, and you'll get firm warnings.

Nature & Environment

25. Collecting shells/sand — Many countries

Taking sand from beaches is illegal in Sardinia (Italy), with fines up to €3,000. Collecting shells, coral, or sand is also illegal in the Maldives, Thailand, the Bahamas, and parts of Australia.

26. Wearing sunscreen in the ocean — Hawaii, Palau, Key West

Reef-toxic sunscreens (containing oxybenzone or octinoxate) are banned in Hawaii, Palau, Key West, Bonaire, Aruba, and the US Virgin Islands. You must use reef-safe sunscreen.

27. Hiking off-trail — Iceland, Faroe Islands

In Iceland, walking on moss-covered lava fields is illegal. The moss takes 50-100 years to grow back. Tourists who damage it face fines and public shaming (Iceland takes this very seriously).

The Really Weird Ones

28. Forgetting your wife's birthday — Samoa

In Samoa, forgetting your wife's birthday is technically a misdemeanor. You can be fined enough to buy a gift and flowers.

29. Wearing a suit of armor in Parliament — UK

Under a law from 1313 that has never been repealed, entering the Houses of Parliament wearing a suit of armor is illegal. Edward II passed it to prevent armed intimidation.

30. Reincarnating without permission — China

In China, Tibetan monks are prohibited from reincarnating without government approval. This 2007 law was primarily aimed at controlling the selection of the next Dalai Lama.

How to Protect Yourself

Research before you go — 10 minutes of Googling can save you thousands in fines
Download offline law guides for your destination
Medication: Email your destination's embassy to confirm your prescriptions are legal
Dress conservatively as a default — you can always underdress later
When in doubt, don't do it — "I didn't know" is not a legal defense anywhere

For country-specific guides on laws, visa rules, and cultural norms, explore our 122 country guides or ask our AI for personalized advice.