Somalia: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic

Extreme

Overall verdict for Somalia: 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.

Somalia: 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 Somalia, offline, in 23 languages.

Somalia: read the 3 riskiest rules free →

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How Somalia compares

With 14 of 23 topics flagged red, Somalia is stricter than 41 of the 41 other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (regional average: 7.3). Worldwide, Somalia ranks #5 of 148 for strictness.

What sets it apart

Dress code: flagged red here, while only 8 of 148 countries are this strict.
Visa & customs: flagged red here, while only 10 of 148 countries are this strict.
Alcohol: flagged red here, while only 13 of 148 countries are this strict.
Smoking: relaxed here, while 95 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.

What to watch most in Somalia

👕 Dress code · Guides by topic

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.

🛂 Visa & customs · Guides by topic

Most countries require a passport valid at least six months beyond your arrival date.
Airlines refuse boarding without proof of onward travel where the destination requires it.
Electronic authorisations are not visas and can be refused — apply days ahead, not hours.

🍺 Alcohol · Guides by topic

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.

Somalia at a glance

CapitalMogadishu

CurrencySomali Shilling (SOS)

LanguageSomali, Arabic

Emergency number888

Driving sideRight

Mains voltage220 V

Calling code+252

Time zoneUTC+03:00

Plug typesC

Land borders🇪🇹 Ethiopia 🇰🇪 Kenya

Frequently asked questions

Is Somalia strict with tourists?

Overall verdict: Extreme. 14 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Alcohol, Sex & dating, Dress code, Religion, Driving, Photo & video, Weapons, Fines, Visa & customs, Behavior, Jail risk, Drones, Politics & protest), 7 require caution.

What can get me fined or arrested in Somalia?

The strictest topics for travellers in Somalia are: Drugs, Alcohol, Sex & dating, Dress code, Religion, Driving, Photo & video, Weapons, Fines, Visa & customs, Behavior, Jail risk, Drones, Politics & protest. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.

Where do I find the exact rules for Somalia?

In LawsTravels: open Somalia, 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 Somalia?

In Somalia, dial 888. Capital: Mogadishu. Currency: Somali Shilling (SOS). Main language: Somali, Arabic.

Which side of the road do they drive on in Somalia?

In Somalia, traffic drives on the right. Mains voltage: 220 V. Calling code: +252. Time zone: UTC+03:00. Plug types: C.

Countries with the closest profile

🇪🇷 Eritrea 🇰🇼 Kuwait 🇲🇲 Myanmar 🇵🇰 Pakistan 🇱🇾 Libya 🇲🇷 Mauritania

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.