Eritrea

Demonstrations and protests

Instability is a risk in Eritrea. However, Asmara is relatively stable.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

Avoid demonstrations and protests. Monitor the media for news that may affect your security and safety.

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Kidnapping

Kidnapping is a risk in Eritrea.

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

If, despite our advice, you decide to travel to an area where there's a risk of kidnapping:

• seek professional security advice

• arrange effective personal security

More information:

• Kidnapping

Ethiopian border

Eritrea has extensive unmarked minefields, mainly near the border with Ethiopia. Don't travel within 25km of the border, except for the town of Senafe.

All border crossings between Ethiopia and Eritrea are currently closed - travellers should check local advice before proceeding to the border.

It's not clear where or to what extent de-mining has taken place. Walking and hiking in rural areas may be dangerous.

In most places, the border is neither marked nor obvious.

More information:

• Travel advice for Ethiopia

Sudanese border

Conflict and instability between Eritrea and Sudan has created a dangerous situation. There's a high threat of robbery and violence from bandits and insurgents, including bomb attacks. The risk is lower on the road to Teseney and within the main town itself. There are ongoing reports of armed groups operating in and around the border area.

More information:

• Travel advice for Sudan

Djibouti border

Conflict and instability between Eritrea and Djibouti since 2008 creates a high risk within 25km of the border.

More information:

• Travel advice for Djibouti

Street crime is rare but happens in cities and towns, including Asmara. Don't walk around alone late at night.

Robbery and violence are common:

• near the Djibouti border where law and order has broken down

• along the coast north of Massawa

• on some rural roads

Many local people access weapons under the government's civilian militia program. There's no evidence that these weapons have increased the threat of violent crime.

No recent terrorist attacks have occurred in Eritrea, but they can happen.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Eritrea is in an active volcano and earthquake zone.

Get information on natural disasters from the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

In the rainy season from June to September, you may not be able to use unsealed roads in the western lowlands.

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers

• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you’ll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up

• ask if your travel plans may affect your health

• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice

• International travel and health

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Eritrea. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is

• how much you'll take

• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medicine

Altitude

It may take some time to adjust to the high altitude and low oxygen levels of Asmara and surrounds.

If you suffer from a heart condition or high blood pressure, get medical advice before you travel.

Insect-borne illnesses

Malaria occurs throughout the year in Eritrea.

Other insect-borne disease risks include:

• dengue

• yellow fever

• filariasis

There are no current reports of Zika virus outbreaks in Eritrea. However, there have been past outbreaks in Africa.

To protect yourself against diseases spread by insects:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof

• use insect repellent

• get vaccinated against yellow fever before you travel

Consider taking medicine to prevent malaria.

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is a risk for travellers. Take precautions if taking part in activities that put you at risk of infection.

Polio

Outbreaks of polio have occurred in countries across the Horn of Africa.

Check your polio vaccination status with your doctor or travel clinic at least 8 weeks before you travel. You may need a booster dose.

If you aren't vaccinated, complete the full course of vaccinations before you leave.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are widespread. These diseases include:

• cholera

• hepatitis

• schistosomiasis

• meningococcal disease

• tuberculosis

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids

• avoid ice cubes

• avoid uncooked and undercooked food

Get urgent medical help if you suspect food poisoning or have a fever or diarrhoea.

Medical facilities

Asmara has 3 public hospitals. Public hospitals in other towns have few facilities. Elsewhere, medical facilities are even more limited.

Medicines are often unavailable and can be expensive. Carry a full medical pack if you travel away from large towns.

If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling, especially for an extended stay.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

There have been recent incidents where Eritrean authorities have refused consular access to detained foreigners.

The Australian Government may not be able to provide fast or full consular help to Australians held in Eritrea.

Drugs

Penalties for drug-related crimes are severe and include long prison sentences.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

Serious crimes may attract the death penalty or physical punishment.

In Eritrea it's illegal to:

• have same-sex relations

• take photos of government buildings or military sites

• change money anywhere other than at a branch of the state foreign currency exchange in Himbol

• use foreign currency, except in some hotels

More information:

• Advice for LGBTI people

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Eritrea doesn't recognise dual nationality.

If you're a dual national, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.

Always travel on your Australian passport.

Australian males who hold Eritrean citizenship may need to enter military service when they return to Eritrea.

Dual nationals who enter on an Eritrean identity card rather than an Eritrean passport will need an exit visa from the Immigration Office in Asmara.

If you're an Eritrean-Australian dual national, get advice from the nearest embassy or consulate of Eritrea before you travel.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Standards of dress and behaviour are strict in Eritrea. Take care not to offend. If in doubt, ask for local advice.

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.

Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can’t help you.

Visa conditions

You'll need a visa to enter Eritrea.

Entry and exit requirements can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy of Eritrea for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Yellow fever vaccination

You may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Eritrea, especially if you're arriving from a country where yellow fever is common. You'll also need to have one when you leave.

Most countries ask for proof of yellow fever vaccination if you arrive from Eritrea and other yellow fever risk countries. This includes Egypt and South Africa.

Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.

More information:

• Countries with a risk of yellow fever (PDF 74KB)

Electronic devices

Declare all electronic items when you arrive. These include:

• laptops

• mobile phones

• cameras

• other electronic equipment

If you don't declare them, Eritrean customs officials could confiscate the items when you leave.

Exit permit

You need an exit permit to leave Eritrea. It can take a long time to get one. The Immigration Department may deny you a permit.

The Australian Government cannot influence the Eritrean Immigration Department to issue exit permits.

You must pay a departure tax in US dollars. You're exempt if you hold a valid Eritrean resident permit. Ask local authorities about the cost of the departure tax because the amount may change.

Validity

Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.

• If you’re overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

 Local currency

The local currency is the Eritrean Nafka (ERN). Currency controls are in place.

There's no limit to the amount of foreign currency you can bring into the country over 10,000 US dollars or equivalent on entering the country.  This covers all forms of currency, not only cash. Make sure you have had your complete foreign currency declaration form approved and stamped before you leave the airport.

Any foreign currency used in Eritrea must be exchanged or used legally. You must have proof of this when you leave.

Access to money

Eritrea's economy is completely cash-based. There are no credit card or ATM facilities in Eritrea. You'll need to pay for everything in cash. Most hotels in Eritrea will require you to settle your hotel bill in US dollars.

It's illegal to change money anywhere other than at a branch of the state foreign currency exchange in one of the 'Himbol' exchanges in town. Some officially recognised hotels can accept foreign currency. Otherwise, it's illegal to use foreign currencies in Eritrea.

You can't take more than 500 Nafka out of Eritrea. Authorities could prosecute you if you do. Nakfa aren’t convertible outside Eritrea. You should convert any excess Nakfa back to hard currency at one of the ’Himbol’ exchanges in town, as there are limits to what can be converted at the ’Himbol’ branch at the airport. You will need the original currency transaction receipt.

Phone coverage

Landline, mobile telephone and internet services are unreliable.

Local SIM cards aren't available to non-residents.

Eritrean mobile phone providers don't have agreements with international providers. International roaming may not be available.

Contact your telecommunication provider before travelling.

Travel permits

You must apply ahead for a travel permit to leave Asmara and the surrounding province of Zoba Maekel. Ministries in Asmara process applications.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry handles business travel applications.

The Ministry of Tourism on Harnet Avenue in Asmara handles tourist travel applications.

It usually takes around 24 hours to process applications.

When applying for permission to travel outside of Asmara, give details of your car.

If you're living or working outside of Asmara and want to travel outside your normal area of work or home, you need a travel permit. Apply at your local Zonal Administration Office. Travel applications can take several days to process. Sometimes they're refused or delayed.

Our consular services are severely limited outside Asmara. This includes emergency assistance. Australian consular officials often face long delays to get visas to enter Eritrea. Once in Eritrea, Australian officials must then apply for a permit to travel outside Asmara.

Driving permit

To drive in Eritrea, you must get an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you arrive. Otherwise, contact local authorities to get a local licence.

Road travel

There are extensive mine fields in Eritrea, especially in boarder areas. Driving on main roads outside of border areas is generally safe. Driving on rural roads and off-road driving can be dangerous. Avoid travel after dark in rural areas. Road signage and barriers are scarce, and steep drops are common. In many parts of the country roads are difficult or impassable during the rainy season.

Roads are sealed between the cities of Asmara, Massawa, Mendefera, Dekemhare, Baretun and Keren. Roads leading to smaller villages are unsealed.

Road maintenance isn't consistent in mountainous regions and steep sloping areas. Narrow winding roads with crumbling edges often don't have safety barriers.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Avoid using motorcycles, particularly in rural areas where standards of driving and road maintenance are lower.

Check with your travel insurer to see if your policy covers riding a motorcycle.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Use only licensed taxis or reputable limousine services. You can arrange this through your hotel.

Public transport

Maintenance standards on buses may be lower than in Australia.

Travellers are sometimes not allowed to use public transport to travel outside of Asmara. You may need to rent a limousine or use a private taxi.

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Sea travel

Before you arrive, you must get permission and an entry visa to arrive in Eritrea by sea.

Commercial vessels that don't have agreements with Eritrean authorities should avoid Eritrean territorial waters. The Eritrean government has taken control of ships that didn't have an agreement. This has led to lengthy detention for international crew members.

Piracy is a high threat in the coastal areas of Eritrea. Pirate attacks happen against all forms of vessels in and around Eritrea's waters and the Gulf of Aden.

All forms of shipping are attractive targets for Somali pirates, including commercial vessels, yachts and luxury cruise liners. Stay alert and take extra precautions when anywhere near these waters.

More information:

• Piracy

• Piracy reports

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Eritrea's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends

• travel agent

• insurance provider

• employer

• airline

Emergency services and the telephone network in Eritrea are unreliable but they exist.

Fire and rescue services

Call 116.

Medical emergencies

Call 114.

Police

Call 113.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

The Australian Government may not be able to provide consular help if you're detained in Eritrea. Eritrean authorities don't always tell the relevant embassy when foreign nationals need consular help.

Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Eritrea. The Australian Embassy in Cairo provides consular services to Australians in Eritrea.

Australian consular officials often face long delays in getting visas to enter Eritrea or to travel outside of Asmara. These delays severely limit consular help to Australians in Eritrea, especially outside of Asmara.

The Eritrean authorities may not inform the relevant Embassy if a foreign national is in need of help and there have been recent instances where the Eritrean authorities have refused consular access to detained foreign nationals.

If you need consular help, contact the Australian Embassy in Cairo.

Australian Embassy, Cairo

11th floor, World Trade Centre

1191 Corniche el Nil

Boulac, Cairo, Egypt

Telephone: +20 2 2770 6600

Facsimile: +20 2 2770 6650

Website: egypt.embassy.gov.au

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

• 1300 555 135 in Australia