Foreign travel advice

Eritrea

Warning FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Eritrea.

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government鈥檚 understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full 鈥楤ritish citizen鈥� passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Eritrea set and enforce entry rules. If you鈥檙e not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the .

Passport validity requirements

To enter Eritrea, your passport must have an 鈥榚xpiry date鈥� at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 2 blank consecutive pages for stamping.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to enter Eritrea. For information about visas, contact the or the nearest Eritrean embassy. Check with your airline or travel company for the latest information.聽 聽

British-Eritrean dual nationals

Dual nationals who enter Eritrea on an Eritrean identity card will need an exit permit from the Immigration Office in Asmara to leave the country.

Land border crossings

Eritrea鈥檚 land borders with Djibouti and Ethiopia are closed at the moment. It is unclear if and when the borders will reopen. Eritrea鈥檚 land border with Sudan is operational in response to the conflict in Sudan. 聽聽聽

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the .

Depending on your circumstances, this may include a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Customs rules聽

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Eritrea. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Electronic items

You must declare all laptops, mobile phones, cameras and other electronic items. If you do not, they can be confiscated by customs officials when you leave.

Taking money into and out of Eritrea

Declare foreign cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more. You will get a certificate, which you must keep to show when you leave.

When you leave Eritrea, you must be able to show that any foreign currency you have spent has been either:

  • exchanged at 鈥楬imbol鈥�, the state foreign currency exchange
  • spent at an official hotel

If you cannot account for foreign money you鈥檝e spent, you may be delayed or face prosecution, leading to a severe fine.

You are not allowed to take more than 1,000 Eritrean nafka out of Eritrea.