Kuwait: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic
Extreme
Overall verdict for Kuwait: Extreme. 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.
Kuwait: 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
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 Kuwait, offline, in 23 languages.
Kuwait: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
How Kuwait compares
With 12 of 23 topics flagged red, Kuwait is stricter than 8 of the 11 other countries in Middle East & Caucasus (regional average: 7.0). Worldwide, Kuwait ranks #9 of 148 for strictness (tied with 5 other countries).
What sets it apart
- Alcohol: flagged red here, while only 13 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Behavior: flagged red here, while only 19 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Religion: flagged red here, while only 22 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Smoking: relaxed here, while 95 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.
What to watch most in Kuwait
- 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.
- Insulting the head of state, the royal family or the flag is a criminal offence in a number of countries.
- Losing your temper in public — shouting, aggressive gestures — is treated far more seriously in Asia than in Europe.
- Rude gestures that are trivial at home can be a public order offence elsewhere.
- 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.
Kuwait at a glance
CapitalKuwait City
CurrencyKuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
LanguageArabic
Emergency number112
Driving sideRight
Mains voltage240 V
Calling code+965
Time zoneUTC+03:00
Plug typesC · G
Frequently asked questions
Is Kuwait strict with tourists?
Overall verdict: Extreme. 12 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Alcohol, Sex & dating, Religion, Driving, Photo & video, Weapons, Fines, Behavior, Jail risk, Drones, Politics & protest), 8 require caution.
What can get me fined or arrested in Kuwait?
The strictest topics for travellers in Kuwait are: Drugs, Alcohol, Sex & dating, Religion, Driving, Photo & video, Weapons, Fines, Behavior, Jail risk, Drones, Politics & protest. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.
Where do I find the exact rules for Kuwait?
In LawsTravels: open Kuwait, 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 Kuwait?
In Kuwait, dial 112. Capital: Kuwait City. Currency: Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD). Main language: Arabic.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Kuwait?
In Kuwait, traffic drives on the right. Mains voltage: 240 V. Calling code: +965. Time zone: UTC+03:00. Plug types: C · 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.
LawsTravels