Eritrea: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic

Extreme

Overall verdict for Eritrea: Extreme. Below, the risk level of each of the 23 topics that get travellers fined or arrested. The exact rule, thresholds and penalties are in the LawsTravels app.

Eritrea: read the 3 riskiest rules free →

🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Sex & dating, Religion

The 23 topics at a glance

Banned or serious riskAllowed, with limitsRelaxed

Get the exact rules for your trip

This page gives you the level. The app gives you the rule, the numbers and the penalties for Eritrea, offline, in 23 languages.

Eritrea: read the 3 riskiest rules free →

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How Eritrea compares

With 12 of 23 topics flagged red, Eritrea is stricter than 37 of the 41 other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (regional average: 7.3). Worldwide, Eritrea ranks #9 of 148 for strictness (tied with 5 other countries).

What sets it apart

Visa & customs: flagged red here, while only 10 of 148 countries are this strict.
Behavior: flagged red here, while only 19 of 148 countries are this strict.
Religion: flagged red here, while only 22 of 148 countries are this strict.
Smoking: relaxed here, while 95 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.

What to watch most in Eritrea

🛂 Visa & customs · Guides by topic

Most countries require a passport valid at least six months beyond your arrival date.
Airlines refuse boarding without proof of onward travel where the destination requires it.
Electronic authorisations are not visas and can be refused — apply days ahead, not hours.

🤝 Behavior · Guides by topic

Insulting the head of state, the royal family or the flag is a criminal offence in a number of countries.
Losing your temper in public — shouting, aggressive gestures — is treated far more seriously in Asia than in Europe.
Rude gestures that are trivial at home can be a public order offence elsewhere.

🕌 Religion · Guides by topic

Blasphemy remains a criminal offence in dozens of countries, sometimes with very heavy sentences.
Proselytising — including handing out leaflets or discussing conversion — is illegal in several countries.
Tattoos of religious figures have led to deportations and arrests in South-East Asia.

Eritrea at a glance

CapitalAsmara

CurrencyEritrean Nakfa (ERN)

LanguageTigrinya, Arabic

Emergency number113 police

Driving sideRight

Mains voltage230 V

Calling code+291

Time zoneUTC+03:00

Plug typesC · L

Land borders🇩🇯 Djibouti 🇪🇹 Ethiopia 🇸🇩 Sudan

Frequently asked questions

Is Eritrea strict with tourists?

Overall verdict: Extreme. 12 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Sex & dating, Religion, Driving, Photo & video, Weapons, Fines, Visa & customs, Behavior, Jail risk, Drones, Politics & protest), 8 require caution.

What can get me fined or arrested in Eritrea?

The strictest topics for travellers in Eritrea are: Drugs, Sex & dating, Religion, Driving, Photo & video, Weapons, Fines, Visa & customs, Behavior, Jail risk, Drones, Politics & protest. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.

Where do I find the exact rules for Eritrea?

In LawsTravels: open Eritrea, each topic shows the level, the rule, the thresholds and what to do at customs, offline. 3 topics are free on every country; the other 20 unlock for the price of a coffee.

What is the emergency number in Eritrea?

In Eritrea, dial 113 police. Capital: Asmara. Currency: Eritrean Nakfa (ERN). Main language: Tigrinya, Arabic.

Which side of the road do they drive on in Eritrea?

In Eritrea, traffic drives on the right. Mains voltage: 230 V. Calling code: +291. Time zone: UTC+03:00. Plug types: C · L.

Countries with the closest profile

🇲🇲 Myanmar 🇸🇸 South Sudan 🇸🇴 Somalia 🇰🇼 Kuwait 🇧🇮 Burundi 🇹🇩 Chad

Levels summarise publicly available legal information for travellers and are not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies: confirm with the embassy or consulate of your destination.