Freedom of panorama
Can you sell a photo of that landmark?
Freedom of panorama is the rule that decides whether you can legally sell an image of a public building, monument, or piece of public art. It varies sharply by country, and it is the single most overlooked constraint in travel and stock photography. Here is the comparison, country by country.
This is guidance, not legal advice
Freedom of panorama covers copyright in the structure or artwork. Image rights of people, trademark, and site-specific rules are separate. When money is involved, clear the shot or take legal advice. Each row links to the full country guide and its sources.
Freely sellable
30 countriesSell images of public buildings and landmarks with no special clearance.
AustraliaFullAustriaFullBelgiumFullBoliviaFull (via Andean Community Decision 351)CanadaFullChileFullColombiaFullCubaFull, with attribution; excludes exhibitions and museumsCzechiaFullDominican RepublicFull, exteriors only for buildingsEcuadorFull, with conditionsFijiFull for buildings and 3D works (UK model)GuatemalaFull, with conditionsHungaryFullIndiaFullIrelandFullJamaicaFull for buildings and 3D works (UK model)KenyaFullMalaysiaFullMexicoFullNew ZealandFullPakistanFull for buildings and 3D works (UK model)PanamaFull, exteriors only for buildingsPolandFullSingaporeFullSpainFullSwitzerlandFullThailandFullUnited KingdomFullUruguayFull
Sell with care
44 countriesAllowed, but with limits: crediting, non-commercial carve-outs, or single-work traps.
AlbaniaYes, with attribution (no 3D copies)ArmeniaYes, including commercial useBahamasFull, broad (includes 2D works)Bosnia and HerzegovinaNon-commercial onlyBrazilFull, with limitsBulgariaNon-commercial onlyCambodiaLimitedChinaLimitedCroatiaFull, with limitsCyprusYes, including commercial useDenmarkFull, with limitsEstoniaNon-commercial onlyFinlandFull, with limitsGeorgia (country)Non-commercial onlyGermanyFull, with limitsIcelandLimited (non-commercial)IsraelFull, with limitsJapanBroad, with a commercial trapKazakhstanNon-commercial onlyLatviaNon-commercial onlyLithuaniaLimited: non-commercial when the work is the main subjectLuxembourgNo (incidental inclusion only)MaltaFull, with limitsMonacoNoMongoliaYes for architecture and statues, including sale of images; 2D works not coveredMontenegroNon-commercial onlyMoroccoLimitedNetherlandsLiberal, with one limitNorth MacedoniaYes for architecture and sculpture; not for 2D worksNorwayFull, with limitsPeruFull, with limitsPortugalFull, with limitsRomaniaLimitedRussiaLimitedSerbiaYes, including commercial use (2D only, with attribution)SlovakiaYes, including commercial useSouth KoreaLimitedTaiwanFull, with limitsTanzaniaLimitedTunisiaFull, with limitsTurkeyLimitedUnited Arab EmiratesNot the operative constraintUzbekistanNon-commercial onlyVietnamLimited
Restricted
26 countriesNo usable freedom of panorama. Clear permission before selling landmark images.
ArgentinaRestricted (no statutory exception)BangladeshRestricted / unsettled (2023 law removed the FoP provision)BhutanRestricted (no FoP)BotswanaRestricted (no FoP)Costa RicaRestricted (non-commercial only)EgyptRestrictedFranceRestrictedGhanaRestricted (stills not covered)GreeceRestrictedIndonesiaRestricted (no freedom of panorama)ItalyRestrictedJordanRestricted (no freedom of panorama)LaosRestricted (incidental use only)MadagascarRestricted (non-commercial only)MaldivesRestricted (no freedom of panorama)NamibiaRestricted (no freedom of panorama)NepalRestricted (no freedom of panorama)OmanRestricted (no FoP)PhilippinesRestricted (no freedom of panorama)QatarRestricted (no freedom of panorama)RwandaRestricted (non-commercial only when the work is the main subject)Saudi ArabiaRestricted (no freedom of panorama)SloveniaRestrictedSouth AfricaRestricted (no FoP)Sri LankaRestricted (no freedom of panorama)SwedenRestricted for public art
Classified from the copyright-law and legal-reference sources cited in each guide.