United Kingdom: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic

Stay alert

Overall verdict for United Kingdom: Stay alert. 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.

United Kingdom: read the 3 riskiest rules free →

🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Weapons, Extradition

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 United Kingdom, offline, in 23 languages.

United Kingdom: read the 3 riskiest rules free →

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How United Kingdom compares

With 3 of 23 topics flagged red, United Kingdom is stricter than 26 of the 34 other countries in Europe (regional average: 2.2). Worldwide, United Kingdom ranks #86 of 148 for strictness (tied with 16 other countries).

What sets it apart

Extradition: flagged red here, while only 29 of 148 countries are this strict.
Medicines: relaxed here, while 119 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.
Politics & protest: relaxed here, while 115 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.

What to watch most in United Kingdom

🔪 Weapons · Guides by topic

Pocket knives, multi-tools and even a corkscrew can be classified as a weapon depending on blade length and lock type.
Pepper spray and personal alarms are banned or restricted in a surprising number of countries.
Tasers and knuckledusters are prohibited essentially everywhere.

💊 Drugs · Guides by topic

Almost every country separates use, possession and trafficking — and the line between them is a weight, not an intention.
Being caught with several bags, a scale or cash next to the drug will usually reclassify "use" into "dealing".
Carrying for a friend counts as your possession. There is no shared-responsibility defence.

United Kingdom at a glance

CapitalLondon

CurrencyBritish Pound (GBP)

LanguageEnglish

Emergency number999

Driving sideLeft

Mains voltage230 V

Calling code+44

Plug typesG

Land borders🇮🇪 Ireland

Frequently asked questions

Is United Kingdom strict with tourists?

Overall verdict: Stay alert. 3 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Weapons, Extradition), 7 require caution.

What can get me fined or arrested in United Kingdom?

The strictest topics for travellers in United Kingdom are: Drugs, Weapons, Extradition. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.

Where do I find the exact rules for United Kingdom?

In LawsTravels: open United Kingdom, 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 United Kingdom?

In United Kingdom, dial 999. Capital: London. Currency: British Pound (GBP). Main language: English.

Which side of the road do they drive on in United Kingdom?

In United Kingdom, traffic drives on the left. Mains voltage: 230 V. Calling code: +44. Plug types: G.

Countries with the closest profile

🇫🇷 France 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇮🇹 Italy 🇬🇷 Greece 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇦🇹 Austria

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.