Bahrain Tightens Rules: Travel Ban on Debtors Up to 3 Years

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Manama: Parliament approved legislative amendments extending travel bans on debtors for up to three years. This move aims to strengthen the enforcement of court rulings and prevent the evasion of financial obligations. The draft law was forwarded to the Shura Council for further review.

The amendment to Article 40 of the Civil and Commercial Execution Law empowers courts to impose travel bans on individuals who may attempt to leave the country to avoid paying debts, particularly in cases where declared assets are insufficient to cover outstanding amounts.

Under the existing framework, travel bans can be imposed for a maximum of three months and renewed for up to nine months. The revised legislation increases this period significantly, allowing restrictions of up to three years, while maintaining full judicial oversight.

Lawmakers supporting the amendment said the change was necessary to close enforcement gaps and ensure that creditors’ rights are adequately protected. MP Mahmood Fardan noted that the revised text was agreed upon to prevent attempts to evade court rulings.

MP Ahmed Al Salloom added that the previous shorter duration had, in some cases, allowed debtors to leave Bahrain without settling major financial obligations, specially in high-value claims.

He stressed that the amendment still preserves a balance between enforcement measures and constitutional rights, including freedom of movement.

Parliamentarians also emphasized that travel bans are intended as a precautionary legal tool rather than a punitive measure, designed to ensure that assets remain accessible for judicial enforcement.