When we travel internationally, we can be sure the laws of the countries we visit have differences from the laws we have at home. Travelers are guests in foreign nations and are subject to their laws. It is the traveler’s responsibility to learn what laws might affect them in the countries they visit, and follow them even if they disagree with them, as breaking the law in the countries they visit can have grave consequences, including severe fines and lengthy imprisonment far from home.
For US citizens traveling internationally, you might want to start with the State Department’s Traveler’s Checklist, but I strongly suggest using the State Department’s Country Information pages for each country you plan to visit. Specifically check the section, “Local Laws & Special Circumstances,” for each country.
Some of the laws throughout the world may seem silly to you and if you break them you’re not going to jail for an extended time, but you will be fined. You’re better off staying off police radar and being a lawful, respectful traveler.
• Singapore — The US has many people who chew gum daily. In Singapore, chewing gum has been illegal since 1992, due to the huge sums spent removing it for years from the public transit system there. It’s even illegal to bring gum into Singapore. Don’t pack it in your bags.
• Barcelona — Those who have visited this wonderful city may know Barcelona has two nude beaches. While wearing a bikini or not on the beach is the norm, in the city itself it’s illegal. You’ve got to cover-up on Barcelona’s streets; no bikinis or swim trunks allowed, otherwise you’ll be arrested and fined.
• Barbados — In the 1980s, gangs were impersonating the country’s military, so Barbados made it illegal for anyone in the country other than their military to wear camouflage clothing, popular with some travelers. It can be a hefty fine if you wear camouflage in Barbados.
• Venice — I suspect many realize from movies and magazine articles over the years that Venice, and in particular, Venice’s Piazza San Marco, has an enormous pigeon problem. It’s actually hard to walk through the area without being “bombed.” As a result, feeding Venice’s pigeons is illegal and punishable by fines. While you might see a few people still feeding them, don’t take a chance. Somehow visitors always seem to get caught.
• Thailand — While it’s hot and humid in Thailand, if you’re driving a car, turn on the air conditioner and keep your shirt on, as driving with your shirt off in Thailand is illegal and subject to fine.
• Denmark — If you’re renting a car in this country you must drive with your headlights on at all times. Denmark enacted this law to increase driver awareness and reduce accidents. Violate the law and you’ll be fined.
Those laws don’t have significant consequences for travelers other than fines, but some laws, not well known by visitors, are easily broken and can truly ruin a vacation or business trip.
• United Arab Emirates — If you’re traveling here during the holy month of Ramadan, you must understand that eating or drinking in public during the fasting hours is illegal. The penalties in recent years have gone from fines of almost $300 to three months in jail.
• Southeast Asia — Illegal drug possession here results in big trouble for travelers. Likely due to the drug trafficking problems in this part of the globe, drug laws are extremely tough. Don’t take a chance. Long sentences for possession are the norm.
• Saudi Arabia, Morocco — Photographing government buildings, military installations, palaces and the military itself is illegal here. If you’re caught, you may very well be detained for a lengthy period. This applies to many Middle East and Islamic countries. If you have any doubt about whether or not you may photograph a particular building, either don’t do it, or at least ask an appropriate person for permission.
• United Arab Emirates — Frankly, this applies in Islamic countries generally. Public displays of affection aren’t permitted or tolerated. That means things as innocuous to westerners as kissing and even holding hands. This is a violation of these nations’ public decency laws. Violate it and you’re subject to fines and possible imprisonment. In addition, using bad language or rude gestures here can get you in deep trouble.
• Netherlands — The Netherlands has a reputation for being tolerant on drug use of so-called “soft drugs.” Netherlands’ legislation passed in recent years was put in place to prevent foreigners’ access to the licensed “coffee shops,” where these drugs have been historically available. Possession of prohibited substances or buying them can result in a fine or even a prison sentence.
When traveling internationally have respect for the laws, culture and customs of the nations you visit. Ignore them and you’ll likely have trouble away from home.
(Image: Eastern State Penitentiary, Copyright © 2015 NSL Photography. All Rights Reserved.)
After many years working in corporate America as a chemical engineer, executive and eventually CFO of a multinational manufacturer, Ned founded a tech consulting company and later restarted NSL Photography, his photography business. Before entering the corporate world, Ned worked as a Public Health Engineer for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. As a well known corporate, travel and wildlife photographer, Ned travels the world writing about travel and photography, as well as running photography workshops, seminars and photowalks. Visit Ned’s Photography Blog and Galleries.
