Countries where religion is banned or restricted (2026 list)

🚫 Real risks

• Blasphemy remains a criminal offence in dozens of countries, sometimes with very heavy sentences.
• Proselytising — including handing out leaflets or discussing conversion — is illegal in several countries.
• Tattoos of religious figures have led to deportations and arrests in South-East Asia.
• Photographing worshippers or ceremonies without permission causes serious offence and sometimes arrest.

🧭 Visiting respectfully

• Remove shoes where others do, and never point your feet at an altar or a statue.
• During Ramadan, eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight is an offence in several countries.
• Ask before entering a prayer area — some are closed to non-believers entirely.

In which countries is religion banned?

22 countries flag religion as banned or a serious risk for travellers: Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Eritrea, India, Israel, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, UAE (Dubai).

Where is religion allowed with limits?

25 countries allow it under conditions (age, place, quantity, permit): Armenia, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Georgia, Guatemala, Guinea, Indonesia (Bali), Jordan, Malaysia, Mali, Niger, Oman, Russia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.

How do I check the rules for my destination before I fly?

Open LawsTravels: pick your destination, the topic religion shows the level, the thresholds and the penalties, offline. Your home country is free.