Gabon: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic
Tough
Overall verdict for Gabon: 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.
Gabon: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Photo & video, Weapons
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
🍺AlcoholRelaxed
❤️Sex & datingAllowed, with limits
👕Dress codeRelaxed
🕌ReligionRelaxed
🚗DrivingAllowed, with limits
📷Photo & video🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
🔪Weapons🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
💶FinesAllowed, with limits
🛂Visa & customsAllowed, with limits
🤝BehaviorRelaxed
⛓️Jail riskBanned or serious risk
⚖️ExtraditionAllowed, with limits
📡Internet & VPNRelaxed
🚁DronesBanned or serious risk
💵Cash & currencyAllowed, with limits
🩺Vaccines & healthBanned or serious risk
💻Remote workAllowed, with limits
🗣️Politics & protestAllowed, with limits
Get the exact rules for your trip
This page gives you the level. The app gives you the rule, the numbers and the penalties for Gabon, offline, in 23 languages.
Gabon: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
How Gabon compares
With 6 of 23 topics flagged red, Gabon is more relaxed than 24 of the 41 other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (regional average: 7.3). Worldwide, Gabon ranks #51 of 148 for strictness (tied with 13 other countries).
What sets it apart
- Vaccines & health: flagged red here, while only 32 of 148 countries are this strict.
What to watch most in Gabon
- Military sites, police, airports, borders, ports and government buildings — this is the classic espionage accusation.
- People without asking, especially children, and above all in indigenous or religious communities.
- Protests and police operations: your phone can be seized and its contents searched.
Gabon at a glance
CapitalLibreville
CurrencyCentral African CFA Franc (XAF)
LanguageFrench
Emergency number112
Driving sideRight
Mains voltage220 V
Calling code+241
Time zoneUTC+01:00
Plug typesC
Frequently asked questions
Is Gabon strict with tourists?
Overall verdict: Tough. 6 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Photo & video, Weapons, Jail risk, Drones, Vaccines & health), 11 require caution.
What can get me fined or arrested in Gabon?
The strictest topics for travellers in Gabon are: Drugs, Photo & video, Weapons, Jail risk, Drones, Vaccines & health. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.
Where do I find the exact rules for Gabon?
In LawsTravels: open Gabon, 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 Gabon?
In Gabon, dial 112. Capital: Libreville. Currency: Central African CFA Franc (XAF). Main language: French.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Gabon?
In Gabon, traffic drives on the right. Mains voltage: 220 V. Calling code: +241. Time zone: UTC+01:00. Plug types: C.
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.
LawsTravels