---
title: "Geo-blocking"
description: "Configure geo blocking to restrict access based on geographic location"
---

import PangolinCloudTocCta from "/snippets/pangolin-cloud-toc-cta.mdx";

<PangolinCloudTocCta />



<Note>
Geoblocking is available in Pangolin community! Make sure to follow this guide for how to enable: [Enabling Geo Blocking](/self-host/advanced/enable-geoblocking)
</Note>

## Benefits of Geo Blocking

Geo blocking provides several important security and compliance advantages:

### Security Benefits
- **Reduce Attack Surface**: Block access from regions with high levels of malicious activity or where you don't expect legitimate users
- **Prevent Unauthorized Access**: Limit exposure to threat actors operating from specific geographic locations
- **Compliance Requirements**: Meet regulatory requirements that restrict data access based on geographic location
- **Resource Protection**: Prevent unnecessary load on your services from regions where you don't operate

## Implementing Geo Blocking with Bypass Rules

Geo blocking in Pangolin is implemented using [bypass rules](/manage/access-control/rules) with country-based matching. You can create rules that either allow or deny access based on the visitor's country.

<Frame caption="Screenshot of resources rules from the Pangolin Dashboard.">
  <img src="/images/country_rules.png" alt="Pangolin Dashboard"/>
</Frame>

### Setting Up Geo Blocking Rules

1. Navigate to your target resource and select the **Rules** tab
2. Create a new rule and select **Country** as the match type
3. Choose your rule action:
   - **Allow**: Bypass authentication for users from specific countries
   - **Deny**: Block all access from specific countries
   - **Pass to Auth**: Let users from specific countries proceed to authentication

### Common Geo Blocking Patterns

#### Allow Only Specific Countries
Create a "Deny" rule that blocks all countries except those you want to allow:

1. Create a **Deny** rule
2. Select **Country** match type
3. Choose "ALL" to match all countries
4. Add priority: 100 (lower priority)

Then create specific allow rules for your approved countries:

1. Create **Allow** rules for each approved country
2. Set higher priority (e.g., 10, 20, 30) so they process first

#### Block Specific High-Risk Countries
Create targeted deny rules for specific countries while allowing all others:

1. Create **Deny** rules for each country you want to block
2. Select the specific countries from the dropdown
3. Set appropriate priorities

#### Regional Access Control
Combine geo blocking with other rule types for sophisticated access control:

1. **Path + Country**: Block admin paths (`/admin/*`) from all countries except your headquarters
2. **IP + Country**: Allow specific IPs from restricted countries (for VPN users or partners)
3. **CIDR + Country**: Combine network-based and geography-based restrictions

### Best Practices

<Warning>
IP geolocation is not always 100% accurate. Users with VPNs, proxies, or mobile networks may appear to be from different countries than expected.
</Warning>

### Rule Priority Example

```
Priority 1: Allow - Country: United States
Priority 2: Allow - Country: Canada  
Priority 3: Allow - Country: United Kingdom
Priority 4: Deny - Country: ALL
```

This configuration allows access only from the US, Canada, and UK while blocking all other countries.
