Eritrea travel advice

Risk level

Disclaimer

The features in this map do not constitute an authoritative source of geographical information. This map is solely intended to assist Canadians by illustrating the risk levels contained in the Travel Advice and Advisories for this destination. The features in this map do not necessarily represent the views of the Canadian government on international boundaries, nomenclature or political status. The text under the Risk levels section takes precedence over this map.

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Eritrea travel advice

Disclaimer

The features in this map do not constitute an authoritative source of geographical information. This map is solely intended to assist Canadians by illustrating the risk levels contained in the Travel Advice and Advisories for this destination. The features in this map do not necessarily represent the views of the Canadian government on international boundaries, nomenclature or political status. The text under the Risk levels section takes precedence over this map.

Safety and security

Military operations in Tigray

A cessation of hostilities agreement was signed on November 2, 2022, between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The security situation along the Eritrean borders with Ethiopia and Sudan remains uncertain despite this agreement.

Local authorities could impose additional security measures on short notice.

If you are in Eritrea:

• limit your movements
• ensure that your travel documents are up to date
• monitor local media to stay informed of the evolving situation

Border between Eritrea and Djibouti

Political tension and territorial conflicts continue to cause instability in the Eritrean-Djiboutian border area. Armed confrontations, violent incidents and military activities could occur.

Border between Eritrea and Ethiopia

The border with Ethiopia is still heavily militarized despite the peace agreement signed in 2018. Although the situation has stabilized in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, the situation near the border remains volatile and armed conflict could erupt without notice.

All border crossings between Ethiopia and Eritrea are currently closed. There are also unmarked landmines in the border areas.

More information on landmines

Border between Eritrea and Sudan

The security situation in the area between Eritrea and Sudan is volatile due to the presence of armed groups operating along the border, the risk of terrorist attacks and criminal activity.

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism.

Terrorists may target public places and crowded areas.

Targets could include:

• government buildings, including police stations
• schools, including universities
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners
• cultural venues

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places.

Crime

Street crime is infrequent in Asmara and in other towns and villages. However, petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occasionally occurs and mostly targets tourists. The risk increases after dark.

During your trip:

• keep your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, in a secure place
• do not show signs of affluence or wear expensive jewellery
• do not carry large sums of cash or valuables unnecessarily 

Crime and banditry are more common in border areas and along the coast north of Massawa.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations may occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Landmines

Landmines and unexploded ordnance still pose a serious risk in several regions.

If you’re travelling outside of cities:

• be especially vigilant in remote areas
• stay on paved
• stay on main roads
• cross only at official border crossings
• avoid walking in fields and rural areas 
• pay attention to signs indicating the possible presence of landmines 

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse.

Advice for women travellers

2SLGBTQI+ persons

2SLGBTQI+ persons could be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics and could be victims of harassments and verbal or physical violence. Avoid public displays of affection.

Eritrean law criminalizes sexual acts and relationships between persons of the same sex.

Convicted offenders could face up to 7 years of imprisonment and heavy fines.

2SLGBTQI+ persons should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Eritrea.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Power outages

Power outages occur regularly in the entire country, including in Asmara. Power outages often impact essential service, such as:

• public lighting and traffic lights
• the public water supply
• telecommunications

Not all buildings are equipped with generators.

Telecommunications

Landline telephone, cell phone and Internet networks are unreliable. Local SIM cards cannot be purchased without a residence permit. Data service and roaming are not available. Local authorities control telecommunications. They may cut off access to cell phone and Internet systems during periods of civil unrest.

Roads

Road safety

There are major safety issues in Eritrea. The number of fatal road accidents is high and often involve pedestrians. Police and emergency services assistance is limited, particularly in rural areas. 

Road conditions

Roads are usually in good condition in Asmara, but can be steep, curving and narrow in the hilly part of the city. Paved roads connect the major cities of Asmara, Barentu, Dekemhare, Keren, Massawa and Mendefera. Secondary roads are unpaved.

Driving can be dangerous due to:

• insufficient lighting
• potholes
• unpaved roads
• poorly maintained vehicles
• lack of traffic signs
• lack of guardrails
• fog at certain moments of the year
• the presence of animals, pedestrians and cyclists on the road

Driving habits

Drivers often disregard traffic laws and speeding is common. Pedestrians and other drivers’ rights of way are not respected. Drinking and driving is common.

If you choose to drive in Eritrea:

• always drive defensively 
• avoid travelling after dark
• use only main roads and highways 
• fill your gas tank before you travel, especially if you are travelling to a remote area 
• always carry a cell phone, a charger and an extra battery pack

Checkpoints

Checkpoints are common throughout the country. The police and military have the authority to establish security checkpoints and travel permit checks. Foreign nationals require a government-issued travel permit to travel between regions.

• Always carry identification
• If you are travelling outside Asmara, have your mandatory travel permits with you
• Follow the instructions of local authorities

Public transportation

Buses

Buses are unsafe, overcrowded and frequently involved in accidents. Theft can occur, especially during peak hours.

Even with the necessary permits, foreign nationals have been prevented by local authorities from travelling outside Asmara’s surrounding province.

Taxis

Taxis are available in Asmara.

• Only use official taxis, recognizable by their yellow colour
• Never share a cab with strangers
• Make sure the driver does not pick up other passengers on the way to your destination 
• Confirm the fare in advance
• Have small bills available for payment

Piracy

Pirate attacks and armed robberies against ships occur in coastal waters and, in some cases, farther out at sea. Travellers should take appropriate precautions.

Live piracy report - International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre

Air travel

We don't make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Eritrean authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Eritrea.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required
Official visa: required
In-transit visa: required

All visas must be obtained prior to travel. Processing times can be long. Apply well in advance of your planned departure date.

Exit visa

Dual citizens who entered Eritrea with an Eritrean national identification card or an Eritrean passport must obtain an exit visa from the Immigration Office in Asmara before leaving the country. Exit visas may be denied or cause significant delays in travel plans, even for people who have entered Eritrea legally.

Visa information – Consulate General of Eritrea

Permit for travel outside Asmara

All foreign nationals, including diplomats, employees of non-governmental organizations and employees of the United Nations, must obtain a permit for all travel beyond 25 km outside Asmara. Travel regulations are strictly enforced throughout Eritrea and there are numerous military checkpoints. Applications for permits are processed by the relevant ministry:

• Ministry of Tourism for tourists
• Ministry of Trade and Industry for business travellers
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomats and non-governmental organization employees

Foreign nationals living or working outside Asmara must also obtain a travel permit from the local regional administration office, known locally as “zoba”, to travel outside the area in which they live or work.

If you obtain permission to travel outside Asmara and you experience problems, Canadian officials could be limited in their capacity to provide consular assistance.

Land border crossings

Eritrea’s land border crossings with Ethiopia and Djibouti are closed.

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Health

Routine vaccines

Make sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel, no matter where you’re going.

These may include vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, varicella (chickenpox), meningococcal disease, seasonal flu, and others.

Provincial and Territorial Immunization Information

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

When travelling in this destination, you might be at risk for diseases that can be prevented with vaccines or medications. Talk to a travel health care provider about which ones are right for you based on your travel plans.

The highlights below will also tell you if your destination may require that vaccine for entering or exiting.

Safe food and water precautions

Eating or drinking unsafe food or water, or swimming in contaminated water can make you sick while travelling. Take precautions by following these tips:

• Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it (only eat food that is prepared safely)
• Avoid, if possible, getting water in your eyes, mouth, or nose when swimming in freshwater (like streams, lakes, or canals), especially after heavy rain or flooding - the water might look clean but can still be contaminated 
• Don’t swallow water when bathing, showering, swimming in pools, or using hot tubs 

Eat and drink safely abroad

Tick and insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by bites from infected ticks and insects like mosquitoes, fleas, or flies. Before you travel, find out what types of ticks or insects are in the area, when they’re most active, and what diseases they can spread.

To protect yourself from bites:

• use an approved bug spray (insect repellent) on exposed skin
• wear light-coloured, loose clothing made of tightly woven materials like nylon or polyester
• wear socks and closed-toe shoes
• sleep under mosquito netting if you’re outdoors or staying in places that aren’t fully enclosed
• do a full body tick check on yourself, your children, your gear, and any pets you’re travelling with when you return from outdoor activities

Insect bite and pest prevention
Personal insect repellents

Animal precautions

Some infections can spread directly from animals to people, like rabies or bird flu (avian influenza). Others don’t spread directly from animals but can infect people who visit areas animals have contaminated with their droppings or body fluids.

Certain activities can increase your chances of coming into contact with animals, their droppings, or their body fluids, like:

• travelling in rural or forested areas
• camping, hiking, or visiting caves
• visiting places where live animals are sold or killed for food, like wet markets

To reduce your risk of getting sick:

• avoid contact with animals like stray dogs, livestock (such as pigs and cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats.
• stay away from places where animal waste can build up, such as caves
• avoid eating undercooked meat

Make sure to closely watch children; they are more likely to try to touch animals.

Person-to-person infections

When travelling, you can reduce your risk of getting or spreading respiratory infections, like the flu or COVID-19, by:

• staying at your accommodation and limiting contact with others if you’re sick
• wearing a well-fitting mask, especially: 
  
  • if you’re sick and need to be around others 
  • when you’re at large indoor events or in crowded settings, like sporting events, concerts, and airports
• cleaning your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
• covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)
Clean your hands to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases
Respiratory infectious diseases: How to reduce the spread with personal protective measures

To lower your risk of getting sexually transmissible infections (STIs), HIV, and mpox, you can:

• get vaccinated against mpox if you’re eligible
• practise safer sex methods
  • use barrier protection during sexual activity, like condoms and dental dams.

Mpox vaccines
Sexual health and travel
HIV and AIDS: Travel health advice

Medical services and facilities

Medical facilities and services are not up to Canadian standards.

Medical supplies can be limited. A cash deposit or an upfront payment is required.

Medical evacuation, which can be very expensive, may be necessary in the event of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. 

• Pack your own luggage and monitor it closely at all times 
• Never transport other people’s packages, bags or suitcases 

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Identification

Local authorities may request to see your identification at any time.

• Always carry valid photo identification
• Keep a photocopy of your passport and visa in a safe place in case they’re lost or seized
• Keep a digital copy of your identification and travel documents  

Electronic items

Eritrea has strict regulations for electronics allowed into the country. All electronic items, including laptops, cell phones and cameras, must be declared upon arrival. Failure to declare electronic items on arrival may result in their confiscation upon departure.

Photography

Photographing sensitive installations is prohibited. This includes: 

• airports
• ports
• military sites
• government buildings 
• uniformed service members

Always ask permission before photographing government buildings or individuals. 

Driving

To drive in Eritrea, you must have a local driver’s licence. To obtain one, you must present a valid Canadian driver’s licence or an International Driving Permit.

International Driving Permit

Dress and behaviour 

To avoid offending local sensitivities:  

• dress conservatively  
• avoid kissing in public 
• behave discretely
• respect religious and social traditions  

Ramadan

In 2026, the lunar month of Ramadan is expected to begin on or around February 17.

In public, between sunrise and sunset, be discreet when:

• drinking
• eating
• smoking

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is not legally recognized in Eritrea.

If local authorities consider you a citizen of Eritrea, they may refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those services.

Dual citizens

Mandatory military service

All Eritrean citizens between the ages of 18 and 40 are subject to mandatory military service and could be called for military mobilization.

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Eritrea.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Eritrea by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Eritrea to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

Useful links

• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• Children and travel
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

Money

The currency of Eritrea is the nakfa (ERN).

On arrival, travellers must declare all foreign currency they are importing in excess of US$10,000 or the equivalent in other foreign currencies.

Eritrea has a cash-based economy. Credit cards are not accepted as a method of payment for everyday transactions. It is illegal to use foreign currency to make purchases, except for official hotels, where foreigners are expected to pay for accommodations in euros or U.S. dollars.

Foreign currency must be exchanged at a branch of the “Himbol”, the official state foreign currency exchange, at main banks or in major hotels in Asmara.

You can’t take more than 1000 nafka out of the country. Offenders could have their money confiscated and/or face prosecution.

Natural disasters and climate

Climate change

Climate change is affecting Eritrea. Extreme and unusual weather events are becoming more frequent and may affect your travel plans. Monitor local media for the latest information.

Rainy season

The rainy season extends from June to September. During this period, most regions of Eritrea are accessible except for the western lowlands, where unpaved roads turn muddy and become impassable. Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable due to mudslides and landslides. Infrastructure may be damaged. 

• Monitor local media for the latest information, including on road conditions 
• Stay away from flooded areas 
• Monitor weather reports 
• Follow instructions from local authorities, including evacuation orders 

Earthquakes and volcanoes

Eritrea is located in an active seismic and volcanic zone.

Although strong earthquakes aren’t frequent, the tectonic activity in the region still poses a risk, especially along the East African Rift.

Nabro and Dubbi are the two active volcanoes in Eritrea.

Eruptions may occur at any time. Series of tremors sometimes lead to evacuations of surrounding areas. Falling ash may also disrupt air traffic. 

In the event of a volcanic eruption: 

• monitor local media for the latest information 
• follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders