Prostitution laws in the Maldivesދިވެހިރާއްޖެ
The Maldives prohibits prostitution under two overlapping laws. Under section 620 of the Penal Code, a person who "performs an act of sexual intercourse or sexual contact with a person not his spouse in exchange for anything of value" commits a Class 1 misdemeanour (up to one year). The Sexual Offences Act 2014 makes engaging in prostitution punishable by up to seven years (section 29). Facilitating or arranging prostitution for gain, or allowing a place to be used for it, is a Class 4 felony (section 621 of the Penal Code). The Sexual Offences Act separately prohibits using revenue from prostitution and setting up a brothel. Consensual sex outside marriage is itself an offence under both laws, punishable by imprisonment and 100 lashes. A 2023 UNFPA legal review recommended aligning the inconsistent penalties.
Legal model
Selling and buying prohibited. Selling sex is an offence (criminal or administrative), whether or not buying is.
Prostitution is a specific offence under section 620 of the Penal Code (Law No. 6/2014) and section 29 of the Sexual Offences Act 2014. All sexual intercourse outside marriage is also an offence (section 411 of the Penal Code, with an additional Sharia penalty of 100 lashes, and section 27 of the Sexual Offences Act), so both seller and buyer are liable. Promoting prostitution, revenue from it and brothels are separately criminalised.[1][2]
At a glance
| Question | Status | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Selling sexual services | Illegal Criminal offence | Performing sexual intercourse or sexual contact with a person who is not one's spouse in exchange for anything of value is a Class 1 misdemeanour under the Penal Code (up to one year). The Sexual Offences Act punishes engaging in prostitution in the Maldives, or by a Maldivian abroad, with up to seven years.[1][2] |
| Buying sexual services | Illegal Criminal offence | Paying for sex is caught by the general offence of unlawful sexual intercourse outside marriage (section 411 of the Penal Code, with an additional Sharia penalty of 100 lashes) and by the zinah offence in section 27 of the Sexual Offences Act (100 lashes and one to three years). Section 620 is worded broadly enough ("performs an act ... in exchange for anything of value") to reach either party.[1][2] |
| Brothels and managed venues | Illegal Criminal offence | Allowing the use of a place under one's control for prostitution, to obtain anything of value, is a Class 4 felony under section 621 of the Penal Code (Class 3 where a minor is involved). The Sexual Offences Act separately prohibits setting up a brothel (section 33).[1][2] |
| Third parties profiting (procuring / pimping) | Illegal Criminal offence | Compelling a person into prostitution, or encouraging, arranging or otherwise facilitating prostitution to obtain anything of value, is a Class 4 felony (Class 3 for a minor). Under the Sexual Offences Act, engaging another person in prostitution carries seven to fifteen years, and using revenue from prostitution is an offence.[1][2] |
| Advertising sexual services | Illegal Criminal offence | No offence aimed specifically at advertising was found, but a third party who for gain "encourages, arranges, or otherwise facilitates" prostitution commits a Class 4 felony, which on its wording covers publishing or hosting offers.[1] |
The law in detail
Selling sexual services
Performing sexual intercourse or sexual contact with a person who is not one's spouse in exchange for anything of value is a Class 1 misdemeanour under the Penal Code (up to one year). The Sexual Offences Act punishes engaging in prostitution in the Maldives, or by a Maldivian abroad, with up to seven years.[1][2]
Confidence: medium. The Penal Code wording was read in the English text reproduced by the Antislavery in Domestic Legislation database. The Sexual Offences Act was not read directly; its provisions and penalties come from UNFPA's 2023 review of Maldivian laws. Official texts in Dhivehi were not checked.
Checked 30 October 2026
Buying sexual services
Paying for sex is caught by the general offence of unlawful sexual intercourse outside marriage (section 411 of the Penal Code, with an additional Sharia penalty of 100 lashes) and by the zinah offence in section 27 of the Sexual Offences Act (100 lashes and one to three years). Section 620 is worded broadly enough ("performs an act ... in exchange for anything of value") to reach either party.[1][2]
Confidence: medium. Whether section 620 is applied to clients in practice was not established; the general extramarital-sex offences clearly apply to both parties.
Checked 30 October 2026
Brothels and managed venues
Allowing the use of a place under one's control for prostitution, to obtain anything of value, is a Class 4 felony under section 621 of the Penal Code (Class 3 where a minor is involved). The Sexual Offences Act separately prohibits setting up a brothel (section 33).[1][2]
Confidence: medium.
Checked 30 October 2026
Third parties profiting (procuring / pimping)
Compelling a person into prostitution, or encouraging, arranging or otherwise facilitating prostitution to obtain anything of value, is a Class 4 felony (Class 3 for a minor). Under the Sexual Offences Act, engaging another person in prostitution carries seven to fifteen years, and using revenue from prostitution is an offence.[1][2]
Confidence: medium.
Checked 30 October 2026
Advertising sexual services
No offence aimed specifically at advertising was found, but a third party who for gain "encourages, arranges, or otherwise facilitates" prostitution commits a Class 4 felony, which on its wording covers publishing or hosting offers.[1]
Confidence: low. Applying section 621 to advertisements is a reading of the text, not a reported case. Media and online content laws were not checked.
Checked 30 October 2026
Key legislation
| Law | What it does here | In force |
|---|---|---|
| Penal Code, Law No. 6/2014 (English text, Chapter 620 extracts) Penal Code (Law No. 6/2014) s. 411 · s. 620 · s. 621 | Prostitution offence (s. 620), promoting or supporting prostitution (s. 621), and unlawful sexual intercourse outside marriage with an additional Sharia penalty (s. 411).[1] | |
| Human Rights and Gender Review of GBV-Related Laws in Maldives Sexual Offences Act 2014, as summarised in UNFPA's 2023 human rights and gender review s. 27 · s. 29 · s. 32 · s. 33 | Parallel offences of zinah (s. 27), prostitution (s. 29), using revenue from prostitution (s. 32) and setting up a brothel (s. 33), with heavier penalties than the Penal Code.[2] |
Sources
- Penal Code, Law No. 6/2014 (English text, Chapter 620 extracts). Antislavery in Domestic Legislation database (University of Nottingham Rights Lab and partners). legislation · accessed 30 October 2026
- Human Rights and Gender Review of GBV-Related Laws in Maldives. UNFPA Maldives, 2023. intergovernmental · accessed 30 October 2026