Is Iraq Safe for First-Time Travelers?

Travel verdict: Do Not Travel. See the full safety scores, key risks and tips on this page.

Travel verdict: Do Not Travel. The scores and risks below say why.

Safety Scores

Overall Safety2/10

Crime Index2/10

Health & Medical3/10

Natural Disasters5/10

Ongoing terrorism threats; ISIS remnants active in northern regions
Kidnapping of foreign nationals is a serious and documented risk
Militia activity and inter-factional violence in multiple provinces
Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah) is more stable but still requires caution

Travel Verdict: Do Not Travel

Do not travel outside Kurdistan Region without professional security arrangements; register with your embassy

Medical infrastructure severely damaged; medevac insurance is essential

Cash-only economy; USD widely accepted; ATMs unreliable outside major cities

Emergency: 104 (police), 122 (ambulance)

Updates for Iraq will appear here as they are published. Every update cites official sources, so you can plan on it.