Qatar: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic
Extreme
Overall verdict for Qatar: 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.
Qatar: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Smoking, Alcohol
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 Qatar, offline, in 23 languages.
Qatar: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
How Qatar compares
With 13 of 23 topics flagged red, Qatar is stricter than 9 of the 11 other countries in Middle East & Caucasus (regional average: 7.0). Worldwide, Qatar ranks #6 of 148 for strictness (tied with 2 other countries).
What sets it apart
- Alcohol: flagged red here, while only 13 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Smoking: flagged red here, while only 16 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Behavior: flagged red here, while only 19 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Theft & scams: relaxed here, while 118 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.
What to watch most in Qatar
- 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.
- The vape is the real trap: several countries fine or arrest for simple possession, including devices with no nicotine.
- Indoor smoking bans now cover terraces, beaches, parks and bus stops in a growing number of cities.
- Throwing a butt on the ground is a separate, and often expensive, littering offence.
- 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.
Qatar at a glance
CapitalDoha
CurrencyQatari Riyal (QAR)
LanguageArabic
Emergency number999
Driving sideRight
Mains voltage240 V
Calling code+974
Time zoneUTC+03:00
Plug typesG
Frequently asked questions
Is Qatar strict with tourists?
Overall verdict: Extreme. 13 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Smoking, Alcohol, Sex & dating, Religion, Photo & video, Weapons, Fines, Behavior, Jail risk, Extradition, Drones, Politics & protest), 7 require caution.
What can get me fined or arrested in Qatar?
The strictest topics for travellers in Qatar are: Drugs, Smoking, Alcohol, Sex & dating, Religion, Photo & video, Weapons, Fines, Behavior, Jail risk, Extradition, Drones, Politics & protest. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.
Where do I find the exact rules for Qatar?
In LawsTravels: open Qatar, 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 Qatar?
In Qatar, dial 999. Capital: Doha. Currency: Qatari Riyal (QAR). Main language: Arabic.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Qatar?
In Qatar, traffic drives on the right. Mains voltage: 240 V. Calling code: +974. Time zone: UTC+03:00. Plug types: 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.
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