IsMyTripSafe.com

Is Erbil safe? 🇮🇶

Iraq · Safety report last updated

As of July 2026, Erbil scores 18/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. Erbil is not considered safe for travelers due to significant security risks and official travel warnings. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).

Safety Report

IsMyTripSafe.com

Erbil 🇮🇶

Iraq · Assessed 29 July 2026

18

/ 100

Elevated risk — reconsider

Safer than ~6% of countries

Score capped at 18 Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.

What drives this score

Crime50/100CautionHomicide 9.5 / 100k
Sentiment58/100FairMixed
Advisories0Elevated
Stability35Elevated
Health63Fair

01 · Official Guidance

Advisories

Elevated

UK Foreign Office (FCDO)

Level 4

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 →

Government of Canada

Level 4

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

Mugging & robbery risk

Moderate risk
70

City SignalCity Web Research

Pickpocketing & theft risk

Moderate risk
70

City SignalCity Web Research

Visitor safety sentiment

40 / 100 (Mixed)
40

City SignalCity Web Research

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

Country BaselineWorld Bank Open Data · 2013

Feel safe walking alone after dark

48.9%
47

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2018

Physical assault (past year)

1.5%
92

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2018

Robbery / mugging

Moderate

While specific street crime data for Erbil is limited, the general risk in Iraq is elevated, and caution is advised, especially in crowded areas.

Pickpocketing

Moderate

Pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in busy markets and tourist areas; maintain awareness of your surroundings.

2 more indicators

Detected human-trafficking victims

0.02 / 100k
92

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2022

Crime seen as a major business constraint

1.4%
97

Country BaselineWorld Bank Enterprise Surveys · 2011

03 · Environment

Health & Air

Fair

Air quality

US AQI 63 · Moderate

Open-Meteo Air Quality

Hospitals

11 beds / 10k · country avg

WHO Global Health Observatory

Weather

July: highs ~46°C · dangerous heat

Open-Meteo

Road safety

21.5 / 100k

WHO Global Health Observatory

Natural hazards

No active alerts · 7 quakes ≥M4.5 past yr
94

Country BaselineGDACS / USGS

CDC travel health notices · none for this destination

Worldwide notices (not specific to this trip): Polio, Dengue, Measles

04 · Institutions

Stability

Elevated

Political stability & no terrorism

31/100
31

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

Terrorism deaths (latest year)

6.5 / million
49

Country BaselineGlobal Terrorism Database · 2021

Rule of law

34/100
34

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

Control of corruption

23/100
23

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

3 more indicators

Government effectiveness

30/100
30

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

Regulatory quality

39/100
39

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

Voice & accountability

39/100
39

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

05 · Field Research

Current Situation

Moderate

Traveller sentiment score

Mixed

58/100

Reported feel40Mixed
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk

Reports indicate successful tourist operations during holidays with effective security, but this is juxtaposed with significant regional security incidents and official warnings.

Erbil is not considered safe for travelers due to significant security risks and official travel warnings.

Multiple government advisories recommend avoiding all travel to Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. While Erbil has seen tourist activity and reports of effective security during holidays, it remains subject to regional instability, including recent drone and missile attacks, and general risks associated with the country. Travelers should be aware of high heat, potential health concerns, and the need for extreme caution.

Recent developments

  • Apr 2026President Barzani called a deadly drone attack in Erbil a 'blatant crime and grave injustice'.Kurdistan24
  • Mar 2026US troops were attacked in Erbil, and Iraqi militants considered options.thenationalnews.com
  • Mar 2026Missile attacks potentially hit Erbil's skyline, amidst protests in Isfahan.India.Com
  • Jan 2026Erbil reported successful New Year operations with 88,000 tourists and effective security plans.Iraqi News

Common scams

  • Potential for inflated prices or scams targeting tourists, particularly in markets or with unofficial guides.
  • Solicitation of money or goods by individuals claiming to be in distress.
Which areas are safe? District-by-district ratings are on the Safety Map

Full briefing

Erbil, Iraq, is not considered safe for travelers. Official government advisories from the UK, Canada, and other nations strongly recommend avoiding all travel to Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region where Erbil is located. These advisories are based on significant security concerns, including the risk of terrorism and conflict.

While Erbil has reported successful tourist operations and effective security during holiday periods, as noted in January 2026 reports from Iraqi News and Kurdistan24, the region remains susceptible to broader instability. Recent incidents, such as a deadly drone attack in April 2026 and attacks on US troops in March 2026, highlight ongoing security challenges. Missile incidents potentially impacting Erbil's skyline have also been reported.

Travelers should be aware of the elevated risk of crime, though specific data for Erbil is limited. The homicide rate in Iraq is significantly higher than the global average. While pickpocketing and petty theft are concerns in crowded areas, the primary risks stem from the volatile security situation. Additionally, extreme heat, with July highs around 47°C, poses a health hazard, and global health notices for polio, dengue, and measles are in effect.

Given the official warnings and the volatile security environment, it is imperative to heed all government travel advisories. Travelers should maintain a low profile, avoid sensitive discussions, stay informed about local news, and carry identification. Extreme caution is advised due to the prevailing risks.

IsMyTripSafe.com

Not legal or medical advice

Report generated 29 July 2026

Sources: U.S. State Dept · UK FCDO · World Bank · WGI · UNODC · WHO · UN SDG · Global Terrorism Database · Numbeo · OpenStreetMap · Open-Meteo · CDC. Composite index recomputed at request time.

Links:

06 · Neighbourhoods

Safest areas and areas to avoid

7 districts

Our field research rated 7 Erbil districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution. See them plotted on the Erbil safety map.

Erbil CitadelcautionHistoric area, generally safe but can be crowded, increasing petty crime risk.

AnkawacautionChristian district, generally peaceful but can experience occasional unrest or protests.

Industrial ZonecautionArea with businesses and warehouses, less tourist-oriented, exercise caution due to industrial activity and potentially lower security.

Areas near military bases or government buildingscautionIncreased security presence can mean more scrutiny and potential for disruption during heightened security periods.

Sami Abdul Rahman ParksaferLarge, well-maintained park, popular with families, generally safe.

Gulan StreetsaferMajor commercial and residential street, well-lit and busy, considered safe.

Family Mall AreasaferModern shopping and entertainment district, high security presence, generally safe.

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).

While specific street crime data for Erbil is limited, the general risk in Iraq is elevated, and caution is advised, especially in crowded areas.

After dark, be most careful around Erbil Citadel, Ankawa, Industrial Zone, Areas near military bases or government buildings. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.

08 · Trip Profiles

Score by traveller type

Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Erbil's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.

Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight18
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight18
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight18
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight18
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight18
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight18

09 · Questions

Erbil safety FAQ

Is Erbil safe for tourists right now?

Erbil is not considered safe for travelers due to significant security risks and official travel warnings. Multiple government advisories recommend avoiding all travel to Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. While Erbil has seen tourist activity and reports of effective security during holidays, it remains subject to regional instability, including recent drone and missile attacks, and general risks associated with the country. Travelers should be aware of high heat, potential health concerns, and the need for extreme caution. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)

Which areas of Erbil should tourists avoid?

Areas near active protests or demonstrations; Border regions (though Erbil is far from most international borders). See the district-by-district safety map.

What are the most common scams in Erbil?

  • Potential for inflated prices or scams targeting tourists, particularly in markets or with unofficial guides.
  • Solicitation of money or goods by individuals claiming to be in distress.

How does Erbil compare with other places in Iraq?

Erbil ranks #1 of 4 Iraq destinations we've assessed, scoring 18/100. See the Iraq safety overview for the full list.

How is this Erbil safety score calculated?

The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.

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Browse the Iraq safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: erbil.json (CC BY 4.0).