Iraq Reiseführer
Wichtige Reiseinformationen — Notrufnummern, Sicherheit, Währung, Visa, Gepflogenheiten und Fortbewegung.
Iraq sits at the top of nearly every government travel-advisory list. Most issue their strongest 'Do Not Travel' / 'Avoid All Travel' warning for the country as a whole, driven by terrorism, armed conflict, kidnapping, sectarian violence, unexploded ordnance, and the risk of arbitrary detention. Through 2025-2026, regional tensions, missile and drone activity, and a fragile ceasefire have kept the threat picture volatile, including periodic airspace closures. The semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region in the north (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok) is markedly more stable and is the one part of the country a small but growing number of organized tourists visit, though it too carries serious advisories and is not risk-free. The historic south (Najaf, Karbala, the marshes, Ur) draws religious pilgrims and a trickle of adventure travelers, but independent travel anywhere in Iraq demands professional security advice and is unsuitable for casual tourism.
Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
Types C, D and G; 230V, 50Hz
Tipping ('bakhsheesh') is customary and appreciated but not heavily formalized. Round up taxi fares, leave roughly 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added, and tip hotel porters and helpful guides a small amount. Tips in cash and in dinar are best.
Local SIMs are cheap and the easiest way to get online; main operators are Zain Iraq, Asiacell, and Korek Telecom. Buy a SIM at the airport or an official branded shop with your passport for registration; street stalls may not register correctly. Coverage is good in cities but patchy in rural and border areas. An eSIM bought before arrival is a convenient backup. Expect that mobile networks may be throttled or shut down during security incidents or exams.
Almost all foreign visitors need a visa. Since 2025 Iraq has largely suspended visa-on-arrival, and most travelers (including US, UK, EU/EEA, and Canadian citizens) must apply for an e-Visa through the official Iraqi federal e-Visa portal before arrival; the federal e-Visa is valid for entry to all parts of the country, including the Kurdistan Region. The Kurdistan Region has historically operated a separate, more lenient entry stamp at its own airports, but rules change frequently, so confirm the latest requirements with an Iraqi embassy before booking. A passport valid for at least six months is required. Israeli passport holders, and in practice travelers with Israeli stamps in some cases, are refused entry.
Right
Public transport is limited and informal. Cities rely on shared taxis, minibuses, and private cars; there are no metro systems. Baghdad has buses but they are not geared toward visitors. In practice, foreigners get around with private drivers, hired cars with a driver, or app-based/private taxis arranged through hotels. Always prioritize trusted, pre-arranged transport over hailing on the street.
Careem, Baly, Lezzoo (Kurdistan Region)
Domestic flights (Iraqi Airways and others) connect Baghdad, Basra, Najaf, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah and are the safer way to cover long distances, though schedules are subject to airspace closures and security disruptions. A shared-taxi network links cities, and there is limited rail service (e.g., Baghdad-Basra), but overland road travel passes through numerous checkpoints and some routes cross dangerous areas; many advisories warn against intercity road travel without security arrangements. Crossing between federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region involves separate checkpoints.
- • Iraq is a predominantly Muslim, conservative society. Greet with 'As-salaamu alaykum' (peace be upon you); a hand over the heart is a warm, respectful gesture, especially with the opposite sex where a handshake may not be appropriate.
- • Hospitality is a point of deep pride. Expect to be offered tea (chai) or coffee repeatedly; accepting at least one cup is polite, and refusing food in someone's home can cause offense. Bring a small gift if invited.
- • Use your right hand for eating, giving, and receiving; the left hand is considered unclean. Many traditional meals are shared from communal platters.
- • Friday is the main day of prayer and rest; many businesses close or open late, and the rhythm of the day shifts around the five daily prayer times.
- • Politics, sectarian identity (Sunni/Shia), and questions about the wars are extremely sensitive. Avoid raising them, and never photograph military, police, checkpoints, government buildings, or infrastructure.
- • Ramadan is observed strictly; do not eat, drink, or smoke in public during daylight hours in that month, and dress and behave especially modestly.
Dress conservatively. Men should wear long trousers and shirts that cover the shoulders. Women should keep arms and legs covered and carry a headscarf; a scarf is required to enter mosques and shrines and is expected in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala and in more conservative areas. The Kurdistan Region is somewhat more relaxed in cities, but modest dress remains the safe and respectful default everywhere.
Islam shapes daily life; Iraq is a major center of Shia Islam, home to the revered shrines of Najaf and Karbala. Remove your shoes and dress modestly before entering mosques and shrines; women must cover their hair and often borrow a provided abaya. Non-Muslims may be restricted from inner shrine areas. Behave quietly and reverently, especially during pilgrimages. Respect prayer times and never interrupt or photograph people praying. Iraq also has ancient Christian (Chaldean, Assyrian), Yazidi, and Mandaean communities, particularly in the north; treat all faiths and their holy sites with care.
Football (soccer) — Football is by far the national passion. The Iraq national team, the 'Lions of Mesopotamia,' is a unifying symbol across the country's divides; their 2007 AFC Asian Cup triumph remains a defining moment of national pride. Matches draw huge, fervent crowds, and the rebuilt Basra International Stadium has hosted major regional tournaments. Local clubs like Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (Air Force Club), Al-Zawraa, and Al-Shorta have devoted followings. Beyond football, weightlifting, boxing, and kickboxing have produced regional champions, and traditional pastimes such as backgammon, dominoes, and long evenings over tea and shisha in the cafe remain central to social life.
Varies (Islamic lunar calendar; the 10th of Muharram)
Ashura
The most significant religious commemoration in Iraq, mourning the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. Millions of Shia pilgrims converge on Karbala in one of the world's largest annual gatherings, with processions, black mourning attire, and intense displays of devotion.
Varies (Islamic lunar calendar; 20 days after Ashura)
Arbaeen
Marking 40 days after Ashura, the Arbaeen pilgrimage to Karbala draws tens of millions of pilgrims, many walking the route from Najaf, in what is considered one of the largest peaceful gatherings on Earth.
March 20-21
Nowruz
The Persian/Kurdish New Year and spring equinox, celebrated especially joyously across the Kurdistan Region with bonfires, picnics, music, colorful dress, and people streaming into the mountains. It is a public holiday and a vivid cultural highlight in the north.
Varies (Islamic lunar calendar)
Eid al-Fitr & Eid al-Adha
The two major Islamic holidays, marking the end of Ramadan and the time of pilgrimage respectively. Both bring family feasts, new clothes, gift-giving, charity, and several days of public holiday across the country.