Iraq: main airports
Iraq is served by four international airports: Baghdad International Airport in the capital and Basrah International Airport in the south, both in federal Iraq, and Erbil International Airport and Sulaymaniyah International Airport, in the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
The country presents a very different picture depending on the area: Iraqi Kurdistan, with Erbil and, among its archaeological sites, the Citadel of Erbil, among the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world, is a relatively stable and increasingly visited area; the rest of Iraq, including Baghdad and Basrah, remains subject to maximum-caution advisories from nearly all Western governments.
Iraq: recommended activities
Iraq: visa and entry requirements
Iraqi Kurdistan has its own separate entry regime: an e-Visa (75 USD) or a visa on arrival (indicatively 80 USD) specific to the region, which however is NOT valid for entering Baghdad, Basrah or the rest of federal Iraq. For federal Iraq, the visa on arrival was abolished for most nationalities from 1 March 2025: it is now necessary to apply online at evisa.iq for a single-entry e-visa (about 160 USD, mandatory health insurance included), generally more complex to obtain.
A passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity is required.
Iraq: safety
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk) is considered a relatively stable and safe area for travellers, with autonomous security management by the Kurdish regional government; the usual precautions nonetheless remain valid, along with the recommendation not to venture away from the main cities without a local guide.
The rest of Iraq, including Baghdad and Basrah, remains subject to a Level 4 alert (do not travel) from most Western governments, due to the risk of terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict. Always check the official updated advisories of your country before any consideration of travel to federal Iraq.
Iraq: health situation
Up-to-date routine vaccinations are generally recommended, as well as hepatitis A and typhoid. It is advisable to drink only bottled water and pay attention to food hygiene.
Healthcare is limited and uneven outside the private facilities of the main cities: travelling with medical travel insurance that includes evacuation coverage is strongly recommended throughout the country.
Iraq: currency, payments and connectivity
The currency is the Iraqi dinar (IQD); the US dollar is widely accepted in parallel, especially in Iraqi Kurdistan. International credit cards have very limited acceptance: bring sufficient cash, preferably in small-denomination USD bills in good condition.
Banking and payment infrastructure remains underdeveloped outside the main cities and their international hotels.
