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:
127 MarchFebruary 2026
Updated:
127 MarchFebruary 2026
Latest update:
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Download a more detailed map (PDF, 517661 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 advises against all travel toto: 

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FCDO advises unpredictable.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 escalation risks 

RegionalThere escalationis posesa significantheightened securityrisk risksof andregional hastension. ledEscalation could lead to travel disruption. disruption and other unanticipated impacts. 

British nationals should: 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” 

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

  • sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts 

  • monitor local and international media for the latest information 

  • stay away from areas around security or military facilities 

  • keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date 

  • if you are advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection

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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