Iraq: Travel Requirements, Alerts & Medical Insurance
In practice, Iraq has two separate entry regimes. Federal Iraq has required, since 2025, an online e-visa arranged before the trip for most nationalities, as visa on arrival was eliminated at the main entry points. The Kurdistan Region, in the north of the country (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok), maintains its own visa-on-arrival regime for numerous Western nationalities, but that visa is valid only within that region: traveling to Baghdad or the south of the country requires the federal visa separately.
Numerous foreign ministries maintain alerts advising against non-essential travel to much of Iraq, although recommendations tend to be less strict for the Kurdistan Region than for the center and south of the country. The currency is the Iraqi dinar (IQD), and since security conditions vary by area, it's always worth checking the current alert from your home country before planning any travel.
Visa and health for travelers
Visa: Federal Iraq requires an e-visa arranged before the trip; the Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok) has its own visa-on-arrival regime for numerous nationalities, valid only within that region.
Health & travel insurance: Healthcare infrastructure varies greatly by region; numerous governments maintain travel alerts for much of the country, and standard policies, including Assist-365, generally exclude areas of active armed conflict.
Visa and entry requirements
The federal e-visa is arranged online before flying to Baghdad or the south of the country. The Kurdistan Region visa is issued on arrival at the Erbil or Sulaymaniyah airports for numerous nationalities, typically valid for 30 days, but it does not allow travel outside that region without the corresponding federal visa.
- Check your foreign ministry's current travel alert for each specific area you plan to visit.
- Arrange the federal e-visa in advance if your itinerary includes Baghdad or southern Iraq.
- Remember that the Kurdistan Region visa is not valid outside Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok.
Health, hospitals, and medical insurance
Erbil has private clinics geared toward foreigners with a reasonable standard, while infrastructure in other parts of the country has been more affected by years of instability. For any travel outside the Kurdistan Region, having a communication and safety plan is as important as medical insurance.
As with any insurer in the market, Assist-365's standard policies exclude damages arising from acts of war or active armed conflict in areas where that condition applies; it's therefore worth confirming directly with the insurer exactly what coverage applies to your itinerary in Iraq before purchasing. Code MEDALLOADV2023 gives a discount when you get a quote for the plan.
Transportation and currency
The currency is the Iraqi dinar (IQD); the economy runs largely on cash, and the US dollar is also widely accepted. Erbil has an international airport with direct flights from several European and Middle Eastern cities.
When to travel
Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) offer milder temperatures; summer is extremely hot, with temperatures frequently exceeding 45 degrees. Always check your home country's current official alert before booking, regardless of the season.
Travel checklist for Iraq
Quick list based on this guide's real data (not generic) before traveling to Iraq.
- Check the visa requirement for Iraq based on your passport: Federal Iraq requires an e-visa arranged before the trip; the Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok) has its own visa-on-arrival regime for numerous nationalities, valid only within that region.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the entry date
- Travel medical insurance arranged, keeping this in mind: Healthcare infrastructure varies greatly by region; numerous governments maintain travel alerts for much of the country, and standard policies, including Assist-365, generally exclude areas of active armed conflict.
- Save Iraq's emergency number: There is no single standardized number nationwide; it varies by region., along with your insurer's contact
- Cash or a no-fee card in Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
- Physical and digital copies of passport, insurance and bookings
- Required or recommended vaccines up to date for the region
- eSIM or international data plan active on arrival
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Kurdistan Region visa work for all of Iraq?
No. It is only valid within Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok; for Baghdad or the rest of the country, the federal e-visa is required separately.
What is the emergency number in Iraq?
There is no single number standardized at the national level; emergency services and their numbers vary by region.
Does travel insurance cover emergencies related to the conflict in Iraq?
Standard policies, including Assist-365's, generally exclude damages arising from acts of war in areas of active conflict; confirm the exact coverage directly with the insurer before traveling.
What currency should I use in Iraq?
The Iraqi dinar (IQD); the US dollar is also widely accepted across most of the country.
