Maldives: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic
Extreme
Overall verdict for Maldives: 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.
Maldives: 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 codeBanned or serious risk
🕌ReligionBanned or serious risk
🚗DrivingRelaxed
📷Photo & videoAllowed, with limits
🔪WeaponsBanned or serious risk
💶FinesAllowed, with limits
🛂Visa & customsRelaxed
🤝BehaviorAllowed, with limits
⛓️Jail riskBanned or serious risk
⚖️ExtraditionAllowed, with limits
📡Internet & VPNAllowed, with limits
🚁DronesAllowed, with limits
💵Cash & currencyRelaxed
🩺Vaccines & healthRelaxed
💻Remote workAllowed, with limits
🗣️Politics & protestBanned or serious risk
How Maldives compares
With 8 of 23 topics flagged red, Maldives is stricter than 5 of the 7 other countries in South & Central Asia (regional average: 6.9). Worldwide, Maldives ranks #28 of 148 for strictness (tied with 8 other countries).
What sets it apart
- Dress code: flagged red here, while only 8 of 148 countries are this strict.
- 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.
- Driving: relaxed here, while 144 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.
What to watch most in Maldives
- Religious sites almost universally require covered shoulders and knees, for everyone.
- Several tourist cities fine beachwear worn away from the beach — walking to your hotel in a swimsuit can cost hundreds.
- Full face coverings are restricted in some countries and mandatory in others. Both directions carry penalties.
- 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.
Maldives at a glance
CapitalMalé
CurrencyMaldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)
LanguageDivehi
Emergency number119 police / 102 ambulance
Driving sideLeft
Mains voltage230 V
Calling code+960
Time zoneUTC+05:00
Plug typesA · C · G · J · K · L
Land bordersNone (island or enclave)
Frequently asked questions
Is Maldives strict with tourists?
Overall verdict: Extreme. 8 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Alcohol, Sex & dating, Dress code, Religion, Weapons, Jail risk, Politics & protest), 10 require caution.
What can get me fined or arrested in Maldives?
The strictest topics for travellers in Maldives are: Drugs, Alcohol, Sex & dating, Dress code, Religion, Weapons, Jail risk, Politics & protest. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.
Where do I find the exact rules for Maldives?
In LawsTravels: open Maldives, 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 Maldives?
In Maldives, dial 119 police / 102 ambulance. Capital: Malé. Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR). Main language: Divehi.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Maldives?
In Maldives, traffic drives on the left. Mains voltage: 230 V. Calling code: +960. Time zone: UTC+05:00. Plug types: A · C · G · J · K · L.
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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