Maldives

Penalties for carrying or using illegal drugs in the Maldives are severe, including mandatory jail and life imprisonment; even a small amount can bring a trafficking charge.

Mandatory jail; life imprisonment possible.

Cash or monetary instruments over USD 10,000 must be declared on entry to the Maldives; there is no exit restriction.

Prohibited imports include weapons, ammunition, alcohol, pornography, vaping devices, and religious material offensive to Islam; importing religious idols is not allowed — restrictions apply even to transiting travelers.

Prohibited items confiscated; additional penalties possible.

Bringing alcohol into the Maldives is prohibited and possession on non-resort islands is not allowed; alcohol is available only on licensed resort islands — do not take any off your resort.

Strictly enforced; confiscation and arrest possible.

The Maldives has banned the import, sale, and use of vaping devices and all vaping solutions (effective 15 November 2024); e-cigarettes are confiscated at the border and travelers may not bring them in.

Confiscation; travelers may be fined or arrested.

Photography of certain buildings in the Maldives is illegal; be cautious before photographing government, military, or religious structures.

Same-sex sexual conduct is illegal in the Maldives; conviction can bring up to 8 years imprisonment and 100 lashes, and there are no anti-discrimination protections or recognition of same-sex couples.

Up to 8 years imprisonment and 100 lashes upon conviction.

Dress modestly in Malé and on non-resort islands (cover shoulders and knees; bikinis only on resort beaches); public practice of non-Islamic religions is banned and inviting Maldivians to non-Islamic gatherings is illegal. Ramadan public eating/drinking/smoking may be illegal.

Inviting locals to non-Islamic religious gatherings can bring jail, fines, or expulsion.