In most cases, Kuwait's Penal Code applies to crimes committed within Kuwait's territory. However, there are important exceptions that can affect expats and Kuwaiti nationals abroad.
Article 11 establishes that the Penal Code applies to anyone who commits an offence on Kuwaiti soil. It also extends jurisdiction to anyone — regardless of nationality — who participates (as a principal or accomplice) in a crime that was wholly or partly carried out in Kuwait. So if part of a scheme you were involved in abroad touched Kuwait (e.g., a financial fraud with Kuwaiti victims), you could potentially face prosecution.
Article 12 specifically targets Kuwaiti nationals: a Kuwaiti citizen who commits an act abroad that is criminal under both Kuwaiti law and the law of the country where it occurred can be prosecuted in Kuwait upon returning, provided a formal complaint is filed. This article does not directly apply to foreign expats, but it is relevant if you assisted a Kuwaiti national in such an act.
Critically, Article 13 provides a key protection: no criminal case can be brought in Kuwait against someone who has already been finally convicted and has served their sentence in a foreign court for the same act. This double-jeopardy protection means that a prior foreign conviction for the same offence, fully served, shields you from re-prosecution in Kuwait. Always carry documentation of any prior foreign proceedings if this scenario is relevant to you.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Kuwait.