Papua New Guinea: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic
Tough
Overall verdict for Papua New Guinea: 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.
Papua New Guinea: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Sex & dating, Driving
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
🚬SmokingRelaxed
🍺AlcoholAllowed, with limits
❤️Sex & dating🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
👕Dress codeAllowed, with limits
🕌ReligionRelaxed
🚗Driving🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
📷Photo & videoAllowed, with limits
🔪WeaponsBanned or serious risk
💶FinesAllowed, with limits
🛂Visa & customsAllowed, with limits
🤝BehaviorBanned or serious risk
⛓️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 Papua New Guinea compares
With 6 of 23 topics flagged red, Papua New Guinea is stricter than 3 of the 3 other countries in Oceania (regional average: 3.0). Worldwide, Papua New Guinea ranks #51 of 148 for strictness (tied with 13 other countries).
What sets it apart
- Behavior: flagged red here, while only 19 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Smoking: relaxed here, while 95 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.
What to watch most in Papua New Guinea
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Papua New Guinea at a glance
CapitalPort Moresby
CurrencyPapua New Guinean Kina (PGK)
LanguageEnglish, Tok Pisin
Emergency number112
Driving sideLeft
Mains voltage240 V
Calling code+675
Time zoneUTC+10:00 / UTC+11:00
Plug typesI
Frequently asked questions
Is Papua New Guinea strict with tourists?
Overall verdict: Tough. 6 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Sex & dating, Driving, Weapons, Behavior, Jail risk), 11 require caution.
What can get me fined or arrested in Papua New Guinea?
The strictest topics for travellers in Papua New Guinea are: Drugs, Sex & dating, Driving, Weapons, Behavior, Jail risk. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.
Where do I find the exact rules for Papua New Guinea?
In LawsTravels: open Papua New Guinea, 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 Papua New Guinea?
In Papua New Guinea, dial 112. Capital: Port Moresby. Currency: Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK). Main language: English, Tok Pisin.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Papua New Guinea?
In Papua New Guinea, traffic drives on the left. Mains voltage: 240 V. Calling code: +675. Time zone: UTC+10:00 / UTC+11:00. Plug types: I.
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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