Do Not Travel
“There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S.”
Updated Mon, 02 Mar 2026
Full advisory →Personalize Report NowTailor this report specifically to you and get the latest and most valuable insights with one click.8 districts
Is Erbil safe? 🇮🇶
Iraq · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Erbil scores 20/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No — Erbil is not safe for travelers due to the Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory from the U.S., U.K., and Canada. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Erbil 🇮🇶
Iraq · Assessed 8 August 2026
20
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~7% of countries
Score capped at 20 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime50/100CautionHomicide 9.5 / 100k
Sentiment69/100FairMostly negative
Advisories0Elevated
Stability35Elevated
Health68Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Federal Iraq FCDO advises against all travel to: The parts of Anbar province which are west of, but not including Ramadi City Diyala province except for Baqubah City Kirkuk province Ninawa province Salah al-Din province Jurf al-Sakr town in Babil province Sadr City, part of Baghdad province Within 5km of areas that border Iran in Wasit, Maysan and Basra provinces Within 5km of Iraq’s borders with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: The remainder of Al-Muthanna province Al-Qadasiyah province The remainder of Anbar province Babil province (except Jurf al-Sakr town) Baghdad province (except Sadr City) The remainder of Basra province, including Highways 1 and 8 and the Safwan-Kuwait border crossing Dhi Qar Province Karbala Province The remainder of Maysan province The remainder of Najaf province The remainder of Wasit province Baqubah City in Diyala province The road sections of Highway 34 between Baghdad and Baqubah, and Highway 2 between Baqubah and Erbil Kurdistan Region of Iraq FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.”
Updated 2026-07-22T16:11:21Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Iraq: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Urban scale factor
1.6M residents
70
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
9.5 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Iraq9.5Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
48
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery against visitors are rare; most incidents involve locals in peripheral areas, not central tourist zones.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing can occur in crowded markets and tourist sites; keep bags closed and use front pockets.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Elevated
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly negative
69/100
Reported feel35Mostly negative
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports describe feeling uneasy due to the political climate and occasional missile alerts, despite generally safe day‑to‑day interactions.
No — Erbil is not safe for travelers due to the Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory from the U.S., U.K., and Canada.
The multi‑database profile assigns Erbil a composite safety index of 18/100 (HIGH RISK) and caps it at 0 because of the Level 4 travel advisory. While crime rates in the city are relatively low, the dominant risk stems from regional conflict, terrorism, and the broad political instability that underpins the advisory.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Drone attack on the U.S. consulate in Erbil caused no civilian casualties but heightened security alerts across the city— Wego Travel Blog
- Jun 2026Iraqi News reports 88,000 tourists visited Erbil for New Year celebrations with effective security plans in place— Iraqi News
- Mar 2026U.S. troops attacked in Erbil as Iraqi militants consider options— thenationalnews.com
- Apr 2026Iran calls on Kurdistan and Iraq to expel Kurdish opposition groups, raising regional tension— Rudaw
Common scams
- taxi overcharging
- street vendors demanding payment for photos
- fake tour guides charging inflated fees
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Erbil sits within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, a semi‑autonomous area that has enjoyed relative stability for years, yet the overall national travel advisory remains Level 4 “Do Not Travel.” The composite safety index of 18/100 reflects this advisory, driven by heightened risk of terrorism, missile strikes, and the broader political volatility that can erupt with little warning. While crime against tourists is low and locals are generally hospitable, the dominant safety concern is the possibility of sudden security incidents—such as the July 2026 drone attack on the U.S. consulate—that can raise alert levels city‑wide.
Recent news from July 2026 highlights both the resilience and fragility of the situation: 88,000 visitors arrived for New Year celebrations under a robust security plan, but a few weeks later a drone strike on the American consulate underscored how quickly tensions can flare. Travelers have reported feeling uneasy during occasional missile alerts and when navigating checkpoints, even though most incidents occur away from the well‑patrolled city centre and tourist districts such as the historic citadel, Ankawa, and the commercial district. The city’s low mugging rate (classified as Low risk) and moderate pickpocket risk (Moderate) are typical of busy urban areas, but scams—particularly taxi overcharging, street vendors demanding payment for photos, and inflated fees from unofficial guides—are common enough to warrant vigilance.
To stay safe, register with your embassy, keep travel documents secure, and use reputable, pre‑booked transportation. Choose accommodation in well‑lit, central neighborhoods and avoid isolated areas or travel near the borders with Iran, Syria, or Turkey. Steer clear of large gatherings, demonstrations, and any region where the FCDO or Canadian advisories specifically warn against travel. By following these precautions and staying informed of the latest alerts, you can minimize risk while experiencing Erbil’s unique culture and hospitality.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Erbil districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Erbil safety map.
Sulaimaniaavoidoutside Erbil city limits, not part of the city and currently advised against non-essential travel
Zakhoavoidborder district near active conflict zones, strongly discouraged for travelers
Erbil International Airportcautionheavy traffic and occasional security checkpoints require vigilance, especially after dark
Old Towncautionhistoric citadel area safe during daylight but poorly lit after dark, pickpocketing possible
Kani Masicautionresidential area with occasional militia checkpoints, stay alert and avoid night travel
Ainkawasaferwell-patrolled tourist area with good safety infrastructure and low crime
AnkawasaferChristian-majority neighborhood with vibrant cafes and nightlife, generally safe for visitors
Kurdistan Region (general)saferautonomous region with stable security and low crime rates
07 · After Dark
Is Erbil safe at night?
49% of people in Iraq say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2018).
Mugging and armed robbery against visitors are rare; most incidents involve locals in peripheral areas, not central tourist zones.
After dark, be most careful around Sulaimania, Zakho, Erbil International Airport, Old Town. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Erbil safety FAQ (2026)
Is Erbil safe right now (2026)?
No — Erbil is not safe for travelers due to the Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory from the U.S., U.K., and Canada. The multi‑database profile assigns Erbil a composite safety index of 18/100 (HIGH RISK) and caps it at 0 because of the Level 4 travel advisory. While crime rates in the city are relatively low, the dominant risk stems from regional conflict, terrorism, and the broad political instability that underpins the advisory. (Assessed 8 August 2026.)
Is Erbil safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Erbil report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Erbil should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Sulaimania, Zakho as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Erbil (2026)?
- taxi overcharging
- street vendors demanding payment for photos
- fake tour guides charging inflated fees
How does Erbil compare with other places in Iraq (2026)?
Erbil ranks #1 of 4 Iraq destinations we've assessed, scoring 20/100. See the Iraq safety overview for the full list.
How is this erbil safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Iraq safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: erbil.json (CC BY 4.0).