Bangladesh: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic
Tough
Overall verdict for Bangladesh: Tough. 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.
Bangladesh: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Alcohol, Sex & dating
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
🚬SmokingAllowed, with limits
🍺Alcohol🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
❤️Sex & dating🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
👕Dress codeAllowed, with limits
🕌ReligionBanned or serious risk
🚗DrivingBanned or serious risk
📷Photo & videoAllowed, with limits
🔪WeaponsBanned or serious risk
💶FinesAllowed, with limits
🛂Visa & customsAllowed, with limits
🤝BehaviorAllowed, with limits
⛓️Jail riskBanned or serious risk
⚖️ExtraditionAllowed, with limits
📡Internet & VPNRelaxed
🚁DronesAllowed, with limits
💵Cash & currencyRelaxed
🩺Vaccines & healthRelaxed
💻Remote workAllowed, with limits
🗣️Politics & protestAllowed, with limits
How Bangladesh compares
With 7 of 23 topics flagged red, Bangladesh is stricter than 3 of the 7 other countries in South & Central Asia (regional average: 6.9). Worldwide, Bangladesh ranks #37 of 148 for strictness (tied with 13 other countries).
What sets it apart
- Alcohol: flagged red here, while only 13 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Religion: flagged red here, while only 22 of 148 countries are this strict.
What to watch most in Bangladesh
- Drinking in the street: allowed in some countries, heavily fined in most tourist city centres.
- Being visibly drunk in public is an offence in itself in the Gulf, in Japan's stations, and in many resort towns.
- Sale hours: several countries block alcohol sales during afternoons, election days or religious holidays.
- 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.
- The age of consent is the first thing to check, and it varies from 13 to 21 depending on the country and sometimes the region.
- Some countries criminalise sex outside marriage, which can affect an unmarried couple sharing a hotel room.
- Same-sex relations remain a criminal offence in around 60 countries, with sentences up to life in a handful.
Bangladesh at a glance
CapitalDhaka
CurrencyBangladeshi Taka (BDT)
LanguageBangla
Emergency number999
Driving sideLeft
Mains voltage220 V
Calling code+880
Time zoneUTC+06:00
Plug typesA · C · G · K
Frequently asked questions
Is Bangladesh strict with tourists?
Overall verdict: Tough. 7 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Alcohol, Sex & dating, Religion, Driving, Weapons, Jail risk), 12 require caution.
What can get me fined or arrested in Bangladesh?
The strictest topics for travellers in Bangladesh are: Drugs, Alcohol, Sex & dating, Religion, Driving, Weapons, Jail risk. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.
Where do I find the exact rules for Bangladesh?
In LawsTravels: open Bangladesh, 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 Bangladesh?
In Bangladesh, dial 999. Capital: Dhaka. Currency: Bangladeshi Taka (BDT). Main language: Bangla.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Bangladesh?
In Bangladesh, traffic drives on the left. Mains voltage: 220 V. Calling code: +880. Time zone: UTC+06:00. Plug types: A · C · G · K.
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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