Eritrea

Demonstrations and protests

There's a risk of political instability 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. Follow the advice of local authorities.

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Ethiopian border

In response to the conflict in northern Ethiopia, the Eritrean Government called for a mobilisation of its armed forces in September 2022. While the mobilisation has ceased, tensions remain high and additional security measures may be introduced at short notice. You should remain vigilant.

In 2020, there were reports of explosions in Asmara as a result of rockets launched due to military conflict in northern Ethiopia. Recently heightened tensions in northern Ethiopia and between Ethiopia and Eritrea means further attacks are possible. Exercise extreme caution and follow the advice of local authorities.

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

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 

There have been reports of Eritrean involvement in the conflict in Sudan since its outbreak in 2023, especially in eastern Sudan near the border with Eritrea. 

There's a high threat of robbery and violence from bandits and insurgents, including bomb attacks. 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 create a high risk within 25km of the border.

More information:

• Travel advice for Djibouti

Kidnapping is a risk in Eritrea. Kidnapping can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk. 

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

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

Robbery and violence may occur:

• 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.

Drink spiking

Methanol poisoning

Piracy and insecurity in the Red Sea

There's a significant threat of piracy, ongoing insecurity and attacks on international shipping vessels and armed robbery in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.

Pirates have attacked vessels and held foreigner's hostage for ransom in the Gulf of Aden.

Somali pirates have attacked vessels more than a thousand nautical miles (1850km) from the coast of Somalia.

Attractive targets for Somali pirates include:

• commercial vessels
• pleasure craft
• luxury cruise liners

You should remain out of the designated High-Risk Area or face the risk of being hijacked and held hostage for ransom. 

If you need to travel by boat to Eritrea's waters and surrounds:

• stay more than a thousand nautical miles (1850km) from the coast of the Horn of Africa, but even this distance may not be safe
• travel in a convoy and maintain good communication
• take appropriate security measures

More information

• Piracy reports issued by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

Cyber security

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

Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. Terrorists may target tourist areas or other places frequented by foreigners and where large crowds may gather.

Possible targets include:

• places of worship or religious holidays
• hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes
• markets and shopping malls
• outdoor recreation events, including festivals, concerts, and sporting venues
• public transport, airports and railway hubs

To stay safe:

• report suspicious activities or items to the police
• check the media for new threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the instructions of local authorities

If there’s an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe to do so.

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.

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.

Asmara has 3 public hospitals. Public hospitals in other towns have fewer 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.

In the past, 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 LGBTQIA+ travellers

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.

Visa conditions

You'll need a visa to enter Eritrea.

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

Border measures

International flights into and from Asmara are limited. Check with your airline.

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.

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

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.

Validity

Lost or stolen passport

Passport with 'X' gender identifier 

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. 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.

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. Internet is available at some international hotels and internet cafes in Asmara.

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 travel 25km outside of 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.

Apply in advance as processing applications may take several days.

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 border 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 car 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

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.

There are limits to what consular assistance we can provide in high-risk locations. Read the Consular Services Charter to understand how we can assist 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 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
Boulag, Cairo, Egypt

Telephone: +20 2 2770 6600
 

Website: egypt.embassy.gov.au
X: @AusAmbEGY
Facebook: Australian Embassy in Egypt

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