Bahrain: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic
Stay alert
Overall verdict for Bahrain: Stay alert. Below, the risk level of each of the 23 topics that get travellers fined or arrested. The exact rule, thresholds and penalties are in the LawsTravels app.
Bahrain: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Weapons, Drones
The 23 topics at a glance
Banned or serious riskAllowed, with limitsRelaxed
💊Drugs🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
💉MedicinesAllowed, with limits
🛡️Theft & scamsAllowed, with limits
🐾AnimalsRelaxed
🚬SmokingRelaxed
🍺AlcoholAllowed, with limits
❤️Sex & datingAllowed, with limits
👕Dress codeAllowed, with limits
🕌ReligionAllowed, with limits
🚗DrivingAllowed, with limits
📷Photo & videoAllowed, with limits
🔪Weapons🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
💶FinesAllowed, with limits
🛂Visa & customsRelaxed
🤝BehaviorAllowed, with limits
⛓️Jail riskAllowed, with limits
⚖️ExtraditionAllowed, with limits
📡Internet & VPNAllowed, with limits
🚁Drones🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
💵Cash & currencyRelaxed
🩺Vaccines & healthAllowed, with limits
💻Remote workAllowed, with limits
🗣️Politics & protestBanned or serious risk
How Bahrain compares
With 4 of 23 topics flagged red, Bahrain is more relaxed than 7 of the 11 other countries in Middle East & Caucasus (regional average: 7.0). Worldwide, Bahrain ranks #75 of 148 for strictness (tied with 10 other countries).
What sets it apart
- Politics & protest: flagged red here, while only 28 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Smoking: relaxed here, while 95 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.
What to watch most in Bahrain
- Pocket knives, multi-tools and even a corkscrew can be classified as a weapon depending on blade length and lock type.
- Pepper spray and personal alarms are banned or restricted in a surprising number of countries.
- Tasers and knuckledusters are prohibited essentially everywhere.
Bahrain at a glance
CapitalManama
CurrencyBahraini Dinar (BHD)
LanguageArabic
Emergency number999
Driving sideRight
Mains voltage230 V
Calling code+973
Time zoneUTC+03:00
Plug typesG
Land bordersNone (island or enclave)
Frequently asked questions
Is Bahrain strict with tourists?
Overall verdict: Stay alert. 4 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Weapons, Drones, Politics & protest), 15 require caution.
What can get me fined or arrested in Bahrain?
The strictest topics for travellers in Bahrain are: Drugs, Weapons, Drones, Politics & protest. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.
Where do I find the exact rules for Bahrain?
In LawsTravels: open Bahrain, each topic shows the level, the rule, the thresholds and what to do at customs, offline. 3 topics are free on every country; the other 20 unlock for the price of a coffee.
What is the emergency number in Bahrain?
In Bahrain, dial 999. Capital: Manama. Currency: Bahraini Dinar (BHD). Main language: Arabic.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Bahrain?
In Bahrain, traffic drives on the right. Mains voltage: 230 V. Calling code: +973. Time zone: UTC+03:00. Plug types: G.
Countries with the closest profile
Levels summarise publicly available legal information for travellers and are not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies: confirm with the embassy or consulate of your destination.
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