Is Using a VPN Always Legal? A Country-By-Country Reality Check

Justyn Newman

Updated Wed, June 17, 2026 at 1:46 PM UTC

A VPN shield on a screen with handcuffs placed in front of the monitor - Credit: Zain bin Awais/PCMag/Getty Images

Most countries don't restrict the usage of virtual private networks ( VPNs ), but that could change soon as proposed internet censorship laws ramp up globally. A few years ago, you really only had to worry about using a VPN in heavily surveilled countries like China and Russia. Now, age verification laws and even proposed VPN bans have gained traction in the United States and the EU. Read on to learn where VPNs are currently banned and where they might be banned next.

This article was made possible in part by Proton VPN. It was written and edited independently without partner oversight.

Enforced Bans: Don't Use a VPN Here

The following countries have different enforcement mechanisms and varying criteria for what constitutes a violation, but the common factor is that each will severely punish citizens and tourists alike for using a VPN.

Belarus: The government banned the usage of software that bypasses state content filters back in 2015. Possession or usage of a VPN can result in fines or imprisonment.

Iraq: Consumer VPNs were banned in 2014 as part of the country's conflict with ISIS. The ban remains in place. ISPs in the country regularly report VPN usage to the government, which can result in fines and even prison time depending on the severity of the infraction.

North Korea: Citizens, visitors, and journalists face imprisonment and forced labor for even possessing VPN software. There are no allowed alternatives, as North Korea only permits access to the government's restricted intranet .

Turkmenistan: VPNs were formally banned in 2019, and citizens or visitors caught with VPN software can face severe punishments, including jail time and heavy fines.

Heavily Restricted: Be Careful Using a VPN in These Countries

The countries below all rely on surveillance and control to censor citizens from accessing the free and open web. Tourists usually don't have much to worry about and can use a VPN with proper precautions. However, there is still a risk of using a VPN in these countries, especially if you are a citizen.

China: China has a long history of restricting its citizens' access to a free and open internet. Its "Golden Shield" project began in the late '90s, blocking or censoring Western media. It was around that time that the term " Great Firewall " was coined to describe the severe blocks that China's government imposed. Enforcement is mixed. There aren't any public records of tourists being punished for using a VPN, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Users should still be incredibly careful when navigating the web in China, as speaking against the government (even accidentally) can result in fines or imprisonment. Getting a VPN in China is difficult as well. In most cases, you need to download your preferred service ahead of time, as the restricted web in China doesn't support the majority of VPN sites.

Iran: Access to the internet in Iran is complicated. The government banned the usage of non-approved VPNs in 2024. Recently, harsher blocks have come down, resulting in a segmented web. To make matters worse, the government uses deep packet inspection (DPI) to detect and block VPN traffic, especially during protests and times of unrest.

Myanmar: The junta imposed a ban on establishing or providing VPN services on January 1, 2025. This ban primarily targets businesses launching new services, but individuals can face fines and jail time if they're found distributing VPNs or accessing restricted content using one.

Russia: Getting a VPN in Russia is tricky. Using one isn't explicitly banned, but it might as well be, given the risks. The government has forced many sites and ISPs to completely block VPN traffic and monitor users who try to use VPNs to bypass government restrictions. While usage alone isn't enough to be a crime, it is considered an aggravating factor if you happen to be fined for something unrelated.

Access With a Catch: Workarounds Might Be Necessary

You're unlikely to be punished for using a VPN in these regions, but the government often makes it difficult to access VPN software. A lot of the laws below are strict on paper but have mixed enforcement, so it's still best to exercise caution in these areas.

Egypt: VPNs aren't technically illegal, but the government uses DPI to detect and block VPN traffic. ISPs in the region also restrict access to most VPN services, making it more difficult for citizens to obtain the software. Using a VPN or other means to bypass government content blocks is illegal and can result in fines or prison time.

India: VPNs are legal in India, but data retention laws established in 2022 now require any VPN provider with servers in the country to store user logs for five years. This law is why major VPNs have pulled out of the country or only offer virtual servers in the region.

Oman: Unauthorized use of encryption without the Oman Telecommunications Regulatory Authority's (TRA) permission is expressly prohibited. However, the ban has proven too broad to enforce, as many aspects of the internet use encryption by default. Tourists are more likely to face blocks than fines, but it's still best to proceed with caution.

Pakistan: VPNs are technically legal for personal use, but it's illegal to use a VPN to bypass state blocks or access censored content. Businesses face even more restrictions. Any business using a VPN must register its use with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) or face fines.

Turkey: There is no blanket ban on VPN use, but the government actively blocks and restricts access to major VPN providers. This blocking tends to intensify during times of political unrest, and regulatory bodies in Turkey are pushing for more formal bans of the software.

Uganda: It's not illegal to use a VPN in Uganda, but the government has been known to restrict access to VPNs during political events. It's also considered illegal to use a VPN to bypass the government's social media blocks.

United Arab Emirates (UAE): VPNs aren't illegal for business and personal use. However, the UAE has intense internet restrictions on gambling, VoIP access , and adult content. Using a VPN to bypass those blocks is considered a criminal offense.

Proposed VPN Restrictions: Keep an Eye on These Regions

These countries haven't imposed bans yet, but they might soon. Each region in this section has at least proposed a bill that would restrict or ban access to VPNs.

European Union (EU): The EU is developing a system that uses zero-knowledge proofs to verify users' age and identity without compromising their privacy. There are currently no VPN bans in place, but some EU officials have proposed banning VPN use to bypass these new restrictions.

Switzerland: The country has long been considered one of the safest places for a VPN to be headquartered, thanks to its consumer-first privacy laws. A proposed amendment to the country's surveillance laws would require VPNs to retain user data for at least six months. It is still unclear whether this proposal will gain traction.

United Kingdom (UK): While no ban has been formally enacted, government officials have proposed restricting VPNs . The UK's Online Safety Act has already made it more difficult to access sites that are considered adult in nature, and the government has proposed banning VPNs to better enforce its new censorship laws.

United States (US): VPNs face no federal-level restrictions in the United States, but several states (Michigan, Utah, and Wisconsin) have proposed legislation to ban them. Age verification measures are the impetus behind the bans, with many lawmakers citing that children are using VPNs to circumvent these new state blocks on adult content. There are no active state bans yet, but new proposals have been frequent, even if no new laws have been passed.

Have a Privacy Plan Before You Travel Anywhere

A VPN won't protect every aspect of your privacy, so it's best to have a game plan before you travel. Consider where you're going and how comfortable you are sharing your personal data with ISPs in that country before you go. You may find that you're comfortable without a VPN for a certain trip, while others might require even more safety precautions. I recommend considering a password manager , a private browser , and an ad blocker in addition to a VPN as part of a well-rounded privacy toolkit.

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