Syria
Warnings and insurance
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
FCDO advises against all travel to Syria
FCDO advises against all travel to Syria due to the ongoing conflict and unpredictable security conditions.
If you are a British national in Syria, leave the country by any practical means. If you are affected by the escalated situation in north-west Syria (see ‘Safety and Security’ page), shelter in place until you can identify safe means to leave the country. Some curfews have been imposed in affected areas. Follow local advice and exercise caution.
UK government support
Consular support is not available from the British government from within Syria, as all British Embassy services in Damascus are suspended. If you need help, call the FCDO in London on +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel against FCDO advice, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Update history
2025-08-29 16:30
This travel advice has been reviewed for accuracy, with revisions and the addition of information about Ramadan, lifting of sanctions and the risks from terrorism, including kidnap (‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-06-13 12:37
Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region (‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-03-14 15:06
Updated information for British nationals affected by ongoing hostilities in Syria (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Getting help’ pages).
2025-03-10 18:01
Updated information in response to recent developments in Syria (see ‘Help abroad in an emergency’)
2025-02-26 16:47
Updated information about entry restrictions, visa requirements and journalists travelling to Syria (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2025-02-14 14:47
Updated information about applying for a visa and the current security situation in Syria (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2025-01-08 14:09
New information on air travel (‘Air Travel’ on the ‘Safety and Security’ page).
2024-12-11 12:03
Updated information on the current situation and risks in Syria. FCDO continue to advise against all travel to Syria (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-12-08 08:39
Updated information for people affected by the escalation in Syria (see ‘Warnings and Insurance’)
2024-12-07 20:44
Updated information for people affected by the escalation in Syria (see ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Getting Help’ pages)
2024-12-05 14:11
Updated information for people affected by the escalation in north-west Syria (see ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Getting Help’ pages).
2024-12-03 20:51
Updated to reflect escalation in North West Syria (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-10-26 08:13
On 26 October Israel carried out military action against Iran (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-09-29 00:28
Updated information on the Conflict affecting Lebanon (Safety and Security Pages)
2024-09-28 23:43
“Updated information on the Conflict in Lebanon (Safety and Security Pages)”
2024-05-09 10:07
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-04-26 12:39
Removal of some language on military activity in the region (‘Summary’ page).
2024-04-19 15:00
Information on explosions in Iran, and unconfirmed reports of explosions in Syria and Iraq (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-14 09:20
13 April 2024 – drones and missiles fired from Iran into Israel (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page)
2024-04-12 20:00
Information on regional risks (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-01-12 00:12
Update to Safety and Security page
2023-02-06 15:30
Information on a 7.8 major earthquake that hit the Gazientep region of Southeast Turkey on 6 February 2023 which has also severely impacted cities in Northern Syria including Idlib and Aleppo (‘Summary’ page).
2022-10-06 14:08
Addition of information about reported cases of cholera in Syria (‘Health’ page).
2022-05-18 10:25
Re-published with editorial amendments to the ‘Entry requirements’ page.