Mozambique: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic
Tough
Overall verdict for Mozambique: 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.
Mozambique: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Driving, Photo & video
The 23 topics at a glance
Banned or serious riskAllowed, with limitsRelaxed
💊Drugs🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
💉MedicinesAllowed, with limits
🛡️Theft & scamsAllowed, with limits
🐾AnimalsAllowed, with limits
🚬SmokingAllowed, with limits
🍺AlcoholRelaxed
❤️Sex & datingRelaxed
👕Dress codeAllowed, with limits
🕌ReligionRelaxed
🚗Driving🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
📷Photo & video🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
🔪WeaponsBanned 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 & healthAllowed, with limits
💻Remote workAllowed, with limits
🗣️Politics & protestAllowed, with limits
How Mozambique compares
With 6 of 23 topics flagged red, Mozambique is more relaxed than 24 of the 41 other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (regional average: 7.3). Worldwide, Mozambique ranks #51 of 148 for strictness (tied with 13 other countries).
What sets it apart
- Sex & dating: relaxed here, while 103 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.
What to watch most in Mozambique
- 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.
- An International Driving Permit is required or strongly recommended in most non-European countries — get it before leaving, it cannot be issued abroad.
- A few countries do not recognise foreign licences at all and require a local one.
- Rental insurance excesses are often huge; check what a scratch actually costs you.
Mozambique at a glance
CapitalMaputo
CurrencyMozambican Metical (MZN)
LanguagePortuguese
Emergency number119
Driving sideLeft
Mains voltage220 V
Calling code+258
Time zoneUTC+02:00
Plug typesC · D · F
Frequently asked questions
Is Mozambique strict with tourists?
Overall verdict: Tough. 6 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Driving, Photo & video, Weapons, Jail risk, Drones), 12 require caution.
What can get me fined or arrested in Mozambique?
The strictest topics for travellers in Mozambique are: Drugs, Driving, Photo & video, Weapons, Jail risk, Drones. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.
Where do I find the exact rules for Mozambique?
In LawsTravels: open Mozambique, 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 Mozambique?
In Mozambique, dial 119. Capital: Maputo. Currency: Mozambican Metical (MZN). Main language: Portuguese.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Mozambique?
In Mozambique, traffic drives on the left. Mains voltage: 220 V. Calling code: +258. Time zone: UTC+02:00. Plug types: C · D · F.
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