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:
2726 FebruaryJanuary 2026
Updated:
2726 FebruaryJanuary 2026
Latest update:
UpdatedFCDO informationnow aboutadvises against all travel to Jurf al-Sakr town in Babil province and within 5km of federal Iraq’s borders with Iran (in Wasit, Maysan and Basra provinces); Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Baghdad province, excluding Sadr City, Basra province excluding 5km from the risksborders with Iran and Kuwait but including Highway 1, Highway 8 and the Safwan-Kuwait border, and the road sections of regionalHighway escalation34 (‘Warningsbetween Baghdad and insurance’Baqubah, page).and Highway 2 between Baqubah and Erbil. FCDO continues to advise against all travel and all but essential travel to parts of Iraq. New information about landmines and land border crossings ('Warnings and insurance', 'Safety and security' and 'Regional risks' pages).

Download a more detailed map (PDF, 661 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

  • Diyala province except for Baqubah City

  • Kirkuk province

  • Ninawa province

  • Salah al-Din province

  • Jurf al-Sakr town in Babil province

  • Sadr City, part of Baghdad province

  • Within 5km of areas that border Iran in Wasit, Maysan and Basra provinces 

  • Within 5km of Iraq’s borders with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: 

  • The remainder of Al-Muthanna province 

  • Al-Qadasiyah province  

  • The remainder of Anbar province 

  • Babil province (except Jurf al-Sakr town) 

  • Baghdad province (except Sadr City) 

  • The remainder of Basra province, including Highways 1 and 8 and the Safwan-Kuwait border crossing. 

  • Dhi Qar Province 

  • Karbala Province 

  • The remainder of Maysan province 

  • The remainder of Najaf province 

  • The remainder of Wasit province 

  • Baqubah City in Diyala province 

  • The road sections of Highway 34 between Baghdad and Baqubah, and Highway 2 between Baqubah and Erbil

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 risks

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

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

  • read 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” crisis”

  • follow advice from the local authorities and sign up to receive information and alerts 

  • sign up to FCDO Travel Travel Advice email alerts alerts

  • monitor local and international media for the latest information information

  • staysign awayup fromto areaslocal aroundinformation securityalerts/resources or military facilities 

  • keep your departure plans under review, and ensurefollow yourthe travelinstructions documentsof arethe uplocal to date authorities

  • if you are advised to take shelter, stay indoorsaway orfrom findareas thearound nearestsecurity safe building or designatedmilitary shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protectionfacilities

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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