Foreign travel advice

Iraq

! Warning FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Iraq.
! Warning FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Iraq.

Warnings and insurance

Still current at:
1014 DecemberJanuary 20252026
Updated:
1014 DecemberJanuary 20252026
Latest update:
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Download a more detailed map (PDF, 658 KB)

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against travel  

Federal Iraq

FCDO advises against all travel to:

  • the parts of Anbar province which are west of, but not including Ramadi City

  • Basra province (except for Basra city)

  • Diyala province except for Baqubah City

  • Kirkuk province

  • Ninawa province

  • Salah al-Din province

  • Sadr City, part of Baghdad province

  • The parts of Baghdad province which are south of the Airport Road

  • Within 30km of federal Iraq’s borders with Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

  • The remainder of Anbar province

  • The remainder of Baghdad province

  • Basra city

  • Karbala Province

  • The remainder of Najaf Province

  • Babil Province

  • Al-Qadasiyah Province 

  • Dhi Qar Province

  • Baqubah City in Diyala province

  • The remainder of Wasit Province

  • The remainder of Maysan Province

  • The remainder of Al-Muthanna Province

Kurdistan Region of Iraq

FCDO advises against all travel to: 

  • 5KM from the border with Turkey, except for the town of Ibrahim Khalil and the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing accessed from the east via the Ibrahim Khalil road 

  • 5KM from Erbil (Arbil) Governate’s border with Iran in areas north of the Choman-Haji Omaran Rd 

  • The Amedi Mountains Region 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: 

  • The remainder of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Consular support

Consular support is severely limited in areas where FCDO advises against travel.

Regional risks

There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts.

British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances. These include:

  • read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad - GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”

  • sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts

  • monitor local and international media for the latest information

  • sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities

  • stay away from areas around security or military facilities

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel despite 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 you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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