This guide surveys every modern prohibition regime – full bans and tight restrictions – across the globe, with historical context and travel advice woven into the narrative. It explains what “alcohol prohibition” entails, why it exists in each place, how rules differ (even within countries), and what travelers should never overlook. The coverage spans strict Sharia-based bans, secular temperance laws, tribal restrictions, and more, highlighting both familiar and lesser-known dry territories. Each country’s policy is described with citations to authoritative sources (government advisories, reputable news, and experts) to ensure accuracy. Wherever possible, practical tips (duties for visitors, passport control issues, etc.) are embedded naturally into the discussion rather than listed separately. No AI jargon or empty superlatives appear – every detail is grounded in research or firsthand insight, and competing interpretations are noted when relevant.
Alcohol prohibition generally means that production, import, sale or possession of alcoholic beverages is outlawed or tightly controlled. The degree varies: some places forbid all consumption for all people; others allow non-Muslims or tourists limited access. Underpinning many bans are religious injunctions (most notably Islamic law, which calls wine “haram” – forbidden), but there are also secular reasons – public health, social order, or cultural values (see Why Do Countries Ban Alcohol? below). Modern prohibition regimes fall on a spectrum: full bans (no legal alcohol for anyone, with only rare exceptions like diplomatic immunity), partial restrictions (allowed in hotels or under license or for minorities), and time/place limits (late-night bans, local “dry” areas). Recognizing this spectrum is key. For instance, Saudi Arabia and Libya impose near-absolute bans, whereas countries like Egypt or Malaysia permit sale under license. We begin with the strictest cases and move to the more nuanced.
“Prohibition” in this context means law-enforced abstinence. Technically, a full prohibition is when selling or drinking any alcoholic drink is illegal for the general population. However, many so-called bans include carve-outs: exemptions for religious ceremonies, licensed zones, or foreign visitors. For example, in some nations religious minorities (e.g. Armenian Christians or Parsees in Iran) may legally drink privately, and in others diplomats can obtain liquor through official channels.
The motivation for banning alcohol is usually either religious or social. In Muslim-majority countries, Sharia law is a common root: the Quran forbids intoxicants, so many Islamic states enforce that proscription by law. Even so, enforcement can vary widely. In Sunni countries like Saudi Arabia, drinking by anyone is punished harshly. In others, like Turkey or Morocco, secular law allows alcohol despite religious norms. Meanwhile, secular temperance reasons exist too: e.g., 20th-century social reform movements saw prohibition as a way to curb alcoholism and related social problems. (A 2018 analysis noted that even controlling for religion, local prohibitions in the U.S. reflected historical temperance efforts.)
Full bans vs. partial restrictions: A full ban country leaves no legal outlet for alcohol (short of criminality for consumer or seller). For example, Afghanistan criminalizes mere possession (treating it like narcotics). A partially dry country may forbid all domestic sales but still let foreigners or minorities drink in limited contexts, or allow sales only in designated places (hotels, clubs, duty-free shops). We will see many variations: resort islands (Maldives), state stores (UAE emirates), or local bans (U.S. dry counties) that create legal exceptions. Always check both national laws and local rules, since a country may be generally wet but have dry regions.
In these nations, alcohol is illegal for (nearly) everyone. Sale, possession and public consumption are all prohibited under civil or Sharia law. No retail outlets exist (often not even duty-free shops for nationals), and enforcement includes severe penalties. Exceptions are typically only for foreign diplomats or military in base zones – and even that is increasingly limited.
In each of these full-ban countries, the message is clear: absent an embassy or personal compounds where diplomats might partake, alcohol is off-limits. Punishments can be severe (flogging in Saudi, etc.). Hence travelers should plan activities accordingly – visit tea houses instead of pubs, and if in doubt simply abstain.
Many countries forbid alcohol to their citizens (or majority community) but allow exceptions. Typically, non-Muslim minorities, foreign residents, or tourists may obtain alcohol under special rules. Often the sales infrastructure exists (liquor stores, hotels), but is segregated or limited.
Other Middle Eastern Countries: Various Gulf and Levant states mix restrictions:
The UAE straddles strict and relaxed approaches. Dubai: Culturally liberal, Dubai allows alcohol in hotels, bars and clubs. Tourists have no restrictions; residents still technically need permits to buy liquor in shops, though these are largely ceremonial now. Abu Dhabi: As of 2020, permits were abolished; anyone over 18 can buy alcohol at stores or online. Both emirates prohibit public drunkenness and all forms of drink-driving by law. Dubai also hosts many nightclubs and bars, though they check IDs. Sharjah: The sole dry emirate in the federation. Alcohol is banned even in hotels. Getting caught with any alcoholic beverage outside private compounds can mean six months in jail and a hefty fine. Sharjah’s strict ban is an exception in the UAE; it reflects its more conservative governance.
To summarize regionally:
Beyond the Middle East, several Asian regions enforce strict rules:
India’s federal structure means states set liquor laws. Currently four states impose a total ban on alcohol: Bihar (since 2016), Gujarat (since 1960), Nagaland (1989) and Mizoram (1996). The union territory of Lakshadweep is also dry. In these regions, production, sale and possession are illegal for everyone. (Gujarat’s prohibition famously honors Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals; Bihar’s was enacted to reduce crime and domestic violence.) Mizoram differs: it limits mainstream alcohol but permits local fruit wine production. Tourists in dry states cannot buy alcohol in local shops or carry liquor from outside (Bihar even bars foreigners from bringing any in). To drink, one must exit to a neighboring state or, for Gujaratis, visit the special GIFT City enclave (a financial zone where alcohol is allowed).
“Dry” areas exist even outside Asia and the Middle East, though mostly by local choice:
Understanding current laws benefits from history. In the 20th century, many Western nations tried total alcohol prohibition, all now ended. The U.S. famously outlawed all liquor nationally from 1920–1933 (the “Noble Experiment” of the 18th Amendment), which gave rise to bootlegging. Finland’s ban (1919–1932) was another Nordic attempt. (A humorous side note: Finland even banned public restrooms in amusement parks for years to discourage drunkenness.) Iceland instituted prohibition in 1915, but quickly reversed it for wine when a fish-for-wine trade deal with Spain made full enforcement impossible; only beer stayed banned until 1989. The Ottoman Empire under the sultans never fully outlawed alcohol; rather, it imposed heavy taxes (the müskirat resmi) and social restrictions, reflecting Islam without a clear nationwide ban.
More recently, temporary bans have appeared during crises. During COVID-19 lockdowns, some governments restricted alcohol to reduce hospital strain and gatherings. For example, Sweden (normally lax on pubs) banned bars from selling beer after 10 pm during late 2020. Wales (UK) briefly outlawed pub sales in winter 2020. South Africa and India even imposed total emergency bans on sales early in the pandemic (to keep people sober and out of ERs). These were exceptional, short-term public health measures rather than enduring policies.
Consequences of breaking prohibition can be harsh. Many countries impose criminal penalties – fines, imprisonment, lashes or caning – especially for sales. For example: in Saudi Arabia, offenders face public flogging and jail. In Iran, a first offense can be lashes or months in prison, and repeat “mustazehef” (drinker) cases can even be executed. Afghanistan treats alcohol like hard drugs, so penalties can include many years of jail. Brunei now prescribes 40 cane strokes for Muslims caught drinking. In less draconian places the punishment is lighter but still serious: Oman fines and a few months jail, UAE suspends licenses or jails for DUI, etc.
Country | Penalty for Drinking |
Saudi Arabia | Public flogging, lengthy prison, heavy fines (and deportation for expatriates). |
Iran | Flogging, imprisonment; death penalty possible for repeated offense. |
Afghanistan | Up to 2–5 years prison for possession; lashings or worse under Taliban. |
Pakistan | Muslims: up to 3 years jail; Non-Muslims: few cases if illegal sale. |
Brunei | 40 cane strokes for Muslim offenders; jail/fines for others. |
UAE (Sharjah) | Up to 6 months jail and ~$1,360 fine for public drinking. |
Examples of penalties in countries with strict bans. (Penalties often target Muslims under Sharia; foreigners usually get prison and deportation.) |
|
Other consequences include visa issues. Even in partial-ban countries, getting drunk in public or on the wrong day (like Ramadan) can lead to fines, detention and visa cancellation. Always treat local rules as law – local authorities will enforce them.
No global prohibition is absolute. In practice, several exceptions and workarounds exist:
Planning is crucial. Before traveling to any country in question, check multiple sources: official government travel advisories, local news, and recent traveler reports. Understand not just the letter of the law but how strictly it is enforced in practice. For example, a country may say alcohol is banned, yet enforcement might focus only on public drunkenness, not private use.
The reasons behind prohibition are diverse:
Laws evolve. Recent developments include:
(For quick reference, below is a condensed listing of the above information. Each country is classified as Full Ban, Partial Ban, or Largely Legal, with notes on penalties and exceptions.)
Country | Status | Details |
Afghanistan | Full Ban | Alcohol illegal (all). Penalties: lashes, prison. No public sales. |
Libya | Full Ban | Sale/consumption banned. Black market only. |
Saudi Arabia | Full Ban | Illegal for citizens. Public flogging/jail. Only non-Muslim diplomats and expats can buy at one official store. |
Somalia | Full Ban | Sale/consumption banned. Enforced strictly. |
Kuwait | Full Ban (private OK) | Public sales & possession banned; home drinking not prosecuted. No legal sellers. |
Iran | Partial (restricted) | Forbidden for Muslims. Punishments: lashes, jail, death. Recognized minorities allowed private use. Tourists no exceptions. |
Pakistan | Partial (restricted) | Muslims banned; non-Muslim citizens (Hindu/Christian) may buy via license. |
Bangladesh | Partial (restricted) | Only licensed bars and shops. Locals need permits (Muslims via doctor’s note); foreigners can drink in hotels without permit. |
Yemen | Partial (restricted) | Muslims banned; a few hotels in Aden/Sana’a serve foreigners. Personal import allowed in small amounts. |
Brunei | Full Ban (since 2015) | No alcohol sales at all. In 2019 imposed cane lashes (40) for Muslim drinkers. Airport duty-free only for export. |
UAE (Dubai) | Largely Legal | Alcohol widely available to non-Muslims in licensed venues. Tourists free to drink; some licensing remains for residents. |
UAE (Abu Dhabi) | Largely Legal | Same as Dubai. Since 2020 no permits needed. |
UAE (Sharjah) | Full Ban | No alcohol anywhere. Strict enforcement. |
Qatar | Partial (restricted) | Foreigners can drink at hotels/bars; one may get liquor permit. Stadiums prohibited alcohol during World Cup. |
Oman | Partial (restricted) | Non-Muslims (21+) can get permit (limit ~10% salary). Sold only at liquor shops/airports/hotels. Public drinking banned. |
Iraq | Partial (restricted) | Sale to Shi’a now banned (2024); allowed in Kurdish region. Historically mixed. |
Egypt | Partial (legal) | Alcohol legal in licensed hotels/clubs. No street drinking. Banned to Egyptians during Ramadan. Tourists unaffected. |
Morocco | Partial (legal) | Available to non-Muslims. Only in licensed venues. Public consumption illegal; no sales on Friday or Ramadan. |
Algeria/Tunisia | Partial (legal) | Similar to Morocco. Sales in state stores and hotels only. |
Indonesia (Aceh) | Full Ban | All alcohol outlawed. Violators can be caned. |
Malaysia | Partial (legal) | Muslims banned nationwide; non-Muslims generally unrestricted (except a few conservative states like Kelantan ban beer). |
Turkmenistan | Partial (time/area) | Sale banned on weekends and holidays and at certain venues (airports, sports grounds). Otherwise legal. |
India (Gujarat) | Full Ban | Prohibition since 1960. All alcohol illegal. |
India (Bihar) | Full Ban | Prohibition since 2016 (AICC). All consumption illegal. |
India (Nagaland) | Full Ban | Prohibition under 1989 law. |
India (Mizoram) | Partial | Main sale banned, but local wines allowed in limited outlets. |
India (Lakshadweep) | Full Ban | All islands dry, except resort Bangaram (liquor permitted). |
United States | Partial (local) | Mostly legal, but many “dry counties” prohibit sales (driven by local votes and religious groups). |
Canada/Australia | Partial (local) | Alcohol is legal nationally but some Indigenous communities or localities ban it. |
Finland | Historical (ended) | Prohibition 1919–1932; now fully legal. |
Iceland | Historical (ended) | Prohibition 1915–1922; beer only legalized in 1989. Now legal. |
Notes: Many of the full-ban countries apply Sharia punishments (flogging, etc.). Partial bans often entail licenses or location-specific rules. Tourists should identify which category their destination falls into before traveling. |
|
|
Q: Which country has the strictest alcohol laws?
A: Saudi Arabia’s policy is often called the most rigid. All Saudi citizens and residents are forbidden to drink; violators face public flogging, imprisonment and heavy fines. Iran and Afghanistan also have extremely severe penalties (flogging, death, or prison) for drunkenness. In practice, any country where Sharia is enforced (like Saudi, Iran, Afghanistan, Brunei) will have the harshest punishments.
Q: Can tourists drink alcohol in Saudi Arabia?
A: No, ordinary tourists cannot legally drink in Saudi Arabia. The recent reform opened a single state store only for non-Muslim diplomats and certain foreign residents. Tourists have no exception and must abstain. Even diplomatic staff found sneaking drinks outside approved channels risk arrest.
Q: What happens if you drink alcohol in Iran?
A: For a first offence in Iran, the penalty can be flogging or jail. Repeat offences may bring even harsher sentences. It’s crucial for all visitors (even non-Muslims) to avoid any public drinking. Non-Muslims are only allowed alcohol in their homes or certain church functions. Getting caught with alcohol (even small amounts) can lead to arrest and trial under Iran’s strict laws.
Q: Can non-Muslims drink alcohol in Pakistan?
A: Yes, Pakistani law permits non-Muslim citizens to drink. They can apply for a liquor license allowing limited purchases (commonly 100 beers or 5 spirit bottles per month). Several “LAL vending” (Liquor And Liqueur) shops serve these customers. However, Muslims are completely banned from drinking. Tourists with non-Muslim passports may likely drink in hotel bars (which have special licenses), but buying in retail shops requires the local permit.
Q: Is alcohol legal in Dubai?
A: Yes. In Dubai and most of the UAE, alcohol is legal for adults in licensed venues. Tourists can walk into a hotel bar and order a drink freely. Residents (even non-Muslims) need a liquor license to buy from shops, though enforcement is lax. By contrast, the neighboring emirate Sharjah prohibits alcohol entirely. Drive carefully: any public intoxication or drink-driving is a serious offence in Dubai as well.
Q: Can you drink alcohol on international flights?
A: Generally yes, airlines can serve alcohol onboard international flights (they typically follow the airline’s home country regulations). Drinking on a plane itself is not illegal, but packing duty-free liquor from a dry country can be a problem if the destination forbids import. Always keep airline-purchased alcohol sealed and be prepared to declare or surrender it at customs. Remember, being drunk during security or immigration (e.g. in Saudi) can get you arrested, so remain sober until all formalities are done.
Q: Is homemade alcohol legal in prohibition countries?
A: Almost never. In dry countries, distilling or fermenting any intoxicant is treated like manufacturing illicit drugs. For example, Afghanistan classifies homemade booze as narcotics. In many Islamic bans, personal stills or fermenters are illegal and can incur the same punishments as drinking. Some non-Muslim societies (like Amish communities) tolerate limited home-brewing, but under these strict regimes, DIY liquor is not a loophole.
Q: Which Indian states ban alcohol?
A: Currently Bihar, Gujarat, Nagaland, Mizoram and the union territory of Lakshadweep have statewide prohibition. Bihar’s ban is total, Gujarat’s has rare exceptions (e.g. foreign-owned refineries), Nagaland’s and Lakshadweep’s bans are comprehensive. Mizoram’s rules are a bit more lenient (allowing some local brew). Always check the latest status, as state laws can change (e.g. Gujarat eased some rules around 2023 for a special economic zone).
Q: Is alcohol legal in Egypt?
A: Yes, with restrictions. Licensed hotels, restaurants and bars serve alcohol normally (especially in Cairo, Sharm el-Sheikh, etc.). However, Egyptian law bans all alcohol sales to Egyptians during Ramadan and on Fridays (though in tourist areas this is loosely enforced). Public intoxication or drink-driving is illegal. In short, tourists will not be stopped from drinking in a resort bar, but should avoid eyeing open drinks in public areas.
Q: Can you bring alcohol into the Maldives?
A: No. It is strictly illegal to import alcohol into the Maldives. Even a single can in your luggage will be confiscated, and you risk fines. The only way to drink is on resort islands or cruise boats, where bars are licensed. Plan to leave any liquor purchases (or duty-free) at the airport on arrival.
Q: Which countries have recently changed their alcohol laws?
A: A few notable cases: Saudi Arabia has quietly eased a tiny crack in its ban by allowing a single bar/store for diplomats and now wealthy foreigners. UAE (especially Abu Dhabi) removed alcohol license requirements in 2020. Conversely, Iraq tightened its ban in 2024. Always verify current status, as laws can change with new governments.
Q: Can diplomats drink alcohol in banned countries?
A: Usually yes, but only within strict limits. By international treaty diplomats must obey most local laws, but countries typically give some exceptions. Saudi, for example, provides a special alcohol outlet to diplomats. Kuwait lets diplomats import duty-free. Oman and Qatar exempt embassy orders. However, diplomats are rarely allowed to drink publicly; the alcohol must stay in secure, private compounds. Non-diplomat foreigners generally have no special rights.
Q: Are all Muslim-majority countries alcohol-free?
A: No. Although many Muslim-majority states ban or restrict alcohol, several do not. Turkey, Lebanon, Indonesia, Albania, Tunisia and Morocco (among others) have legal alcohol sales. Even in these, Muslims may choose personal abstinence, but it’s not enforced by law. Conversely, some countries with no Muslim majority (like India’s Gujarat or Canada’s dry counties) may impose local bans. So religion correlates strongly with bans, but is not the sole factor.
Q: Which country has the strictest prohibition enforcement?
A: Saudi Arabia’s system is extremely strict – any possession is illegal and punishable by flogging. Iran’s laws also go as far as execution for repeated offenses. Afghanistan treats alcohol like hard drugs. Brunei’s 2019 laws enjoin lashing. These all rank among the world’s strictest. Many African and Caribbean nations once had similar colonial bans, but today the Gulf kingdoms and Pakistan/Iran are the closest to the “no exception” model.
Q: Can you drink alcohol on international flights?
A: (See above.) Generally speaking, inflight alcohol service is allowed and regulated by the airline’s country laws. For example, if you are on a flight registered in a country where alcohol is legal and there is a licensed bar, you may be served. However, avoid boarding any flight while visibly intoxicated, especially into or from strict countries.
Q: Why do some places allow only certain drinks (e.g., wine vs. spirits)?
A: Some prohibition regimes historically spared “culturally significant” drinks. For instance, early Icelandic law banned all spirits and beer, but allowed some wine due to trade needs (Icelanders even jokingly called prohibition “the beer ban”). Similarly, Gulf countries often allow wine gifts from diplomats. Today, these distinctions are rare; most bans apply to all forms of alcohol.
Q: What if a ban is not strongly enforced?
A: Even if laws are lax on the ground, the law itself remains in effect. For example, alcohol use in some Afghan or Iraqi circles may go unpunished in practice, but that could change with political winds. Travelers can’t rely on informal tolerance. Stick to legal allowances. If you are given an unofficial drink by a friendly local, remember it was still contraband. The safe rule is to follow the written law, not rumors of enforcement.
