Whether you’re planning to travel around the world, move to a foreign country on a spouse visa UK, or are just curious, knowing the laws in other countries can be interesting and even save you from some legal trouble. Many people know the basic rules that are almost universal in all countries- no stealing and no harming others. However, with so many countries around the world, all with their own cultures and values, there are many laws that you wouldn’t expect from all around the world.

From chewing gum in Singapore to alcohol laws in Thailand, many laws around the world are shocking to many, but if you do not abide by then could leave you in a jail cell or even worse.

So, if you want to discover some unique laws from all around the world, here are some shocking laws from all around the world that you should remember for the future to keep you out of jail.

Asia

Singapore: In Singapore, in Southeast Asia, chewing gum is currently banned in all public spaces. This menas that anyone seen chewing gum in public can face fines and, in extreme circumstances, prison time. This law has been put into place to help to keep public spaces clean and prevent gum from being spat on the floor and causing disruption in public spaces. There are some circumstances where gum is allowed; however, this is for medical purposes and therapeutic purposes and may have to be prescribed by a doctor. 

Japan: There are many medicines which are allowed in Japan; however, many common over-the-counter medicines are banned in this country. Medicines, including cough and cold medicines which can be sold in shops in other countries, are actually illegal in Japan due to ingredients such as codeine being illegal and classified as a Class A substance. This mean thats those with British citizenship who go over with these medicines can get into trouble.

Europe

Switzerland: In Switzerland, flushing your toilets after 10 pm in some blocks is illegal because it is considered noise pollution. As many apartments are small and cramped due to the price of housing in Switzerland, toilet flushes can be heard through walls and can wake up other apartments. Therefore, to prevent this, toilet flushing after 10 is forbidden and can result in fines.

Germany: Germany has a high-speed highway called the Autobahn, which is a fast highway with no speed imit. This means that those driving on this road can go up to 200mph. Whilst many stick to 80mph to get from A to B, there is one law on this road, which is that it is illegal to break down by running out of fuel. As it is a high-speed road, this can be very dangerous therefore, you must always have enough fuel in the tank when traveling on the Autobahn.

Caribbean

Caribbean territories: Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians of countries like Jamaica, Barbados and Grenada, as millitary patterns are reserved for armed forces.