Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
\nThe border with Azerbaijan remains closed. FCDO advises against all travel to within 5km of the entire eastern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, due to tensions between the 2 countries.
\n\nFCDO advises against all travel along the M16/H26 road between the towns of Ijevan and Noyemberyan, due to border tensions.
\n\nFind out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
\n\nNo travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nread about safety for solo and independent travel
\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nFCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n\n\n","slug":"warnings-and-insurance","title":"Warnings and insurance"},{"body":"This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Armenia’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Armenia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Armenian Embassy in the UK.
\n\nArmenia-Iran border is open to foreign nationals coming from Iran. This is subject to change at short notice. If you decide to leave Iran, you do so at your own risk and the British government cannot do anything to ensure your safety. Only travel if you feel it is safe to do so. In Iran, holding a British passport or having perceived connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.
\n\nBritish nationals entering Armenia from Iran will need a valid passport, see ‘passport validity requirements’. You do not need a visa to enter Armenia, see ‘visa requirements’.
\n\nRead more FCDO advice if you’re affected by a crisis abroad.
\nIf you are visiting Armenia, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.
\n\nYou can visit Armenia without a visa for up to 180 days in a year for tourism or business.
\n\nTo extend your stay, contact the Administration Department for Passports and Visas (OVIR).
\n\nAddress: Davtashen, 4th District, 31/2 Building, Yerevan, Armenia 0054
\n\nTelephone: +374 11 36 1394, +374 11 36 9140
\n\nTo work or study, you must check the requirements from the Armenian Embassy in the UK.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Armenia guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Armenia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"This guide also has safety advice for regions of Armenia.
\n\nThere is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Armenia, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nAttacks could be indiscriminate including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
\n\nAlthough a ceasefire exists, the eastern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan is closed and tensions remain. See regional risks for details about FCDO’s warning against all travel.
\n\nProtests sometimes take place in central Yerevan and other major cities. These are usually organised by opposition political parties or activist groups highlighting topical social and political issues. Although protests tend to be peaceful and usually pass off without incident, avoid large crowds and demonstrations, follow the advice and instructions of the local authorities, monitor the media and remain vigilant.
\n\nCrime levels are low. There are occasional incidents of pickpocketing, bag-snatching, theft from cars and burglary involving foreign nationals. To help protect your belongings:
\n\nIf you possess, use or smuggle illegal drugs, including cannabis, you can get heavy fines and a long jail sentence, including when transiting through the airport. The penalty for smuggling drugs is a prison sentence of between 4 and 10 years.
\n\nIt is illegal to use, possess or trade marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD), or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products. You can be prosecuted for having these substances even when they are prescribed for medical purposes.
\n\nAirports in Armenia have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.
\n\nIt is illegal to photograph sites such as military bases, equipment and installations. These are considered sensitive areas and visitors have been detained and questioned for attempting to photograph them.
\n\nSame-sex sexual activity has been legal since 2003 but many Armenians still view same-sex couples with disapproval. LGBT+ people in Armenia tend to be discreet about their sexuality. Local LGBT+ groups occasionally suffer from verbal and physical harassment. Physical contact between members of the same sex, such as holding hands and kissing, are common signs of friendship in Armenian culture, and not necessarily an indicator of sexual orientation.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nArmenian society does not tolerate drinking to excess as this leads to disorderly behaviour, particularly during the late evening and through the night. British nationals have been arrested for drunken behaviour.
\n\nIf you hail taxis on the street you risk being scammed for high fares. There have also been occasional reports of taxi drivers sexually harassing single female passengers. You can download the GG taxi app on your phone when you arrive. GG is considered a reputable taxi app service in Armenia.
\n\nPublic transport is often overcrowded, particularly in Yerevan. Yerevan buses are modern, but local buses in the regions may be old and poorly maintained.
\n\nIf you travel on the cross-border train service between Armenia and Georgia, secure your valuables, do not leave the compartment unattended, and lock the door from the inside.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Armenia, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Armenia guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.
\n\nYou’ll need to have both a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence to drive in Armenia. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.
\n\nThe standard of driving is poor. Be prepared for drivers who drive recklessly and ignore traffic laws. Roads are in a poor state, particularly in the coldest months, from November to February. If possible avoid driving outside of cities and towns in the dark because of the poor condition of the roads and lack of lighting.
\n\nIf you are walking, be careful when crossing roads and use subways where available.
\n\nThe UK Air Safety List (ASL) lists all known airlines in Armenia that do not meet international safety standards and are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the UK. Check ASL when considering which airlines to fly with. The list is maintained by the Department for Transport, based on advice from the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
\n\nThe UK has placed sanctions on Aeroflot, Rossiya Airlines and Ural Airlines, which operate out of Russia and fly to Armenia. It is illegal under UK law for any British national or British company to buy tickets from these airlines.
\n\nThere is a risk of earthquakes. The last serious earthquake was in 1988 in the Lori region in the north. It killed between 25,000 and 50,000 people, injured thousands and left several cities in ruins.
\n\nThe US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"This section has safety advice for regions of Armenia. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.
\n\nYou should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
\n\nThe border with Azerbaijan remains closed. FCDO advises against all travel to within 5km of the entire eastern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This is due to tensions between the 2 countries as a result of the conflict. Consular support is severely limited within this area.
\n\nFCDO advises against all travel along the M16/H26 road between the towns of Ijevan and Noyemberyan. This is due to tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan as a result of the conflict.
\n\nThe land border with Turkey is closed, although there are scheduled direct flights between Yerevan and Istanbul.
\n\nTravelling in the South Caucasus can be unpredictable and infrastructure is sometimes in a poor state of repair. Plan your travel carefully.
\n\n","slug":"regional-risks","title":"Regional risks"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 911 and ask for an ambulance with an English speaker.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip check:
\n\nAltitude sickness is a risk in parts of Armenia, including Mount Aragats (4,090m elevation) and the lakes of Aragats (approximately 3,000m). Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nPublic medical facilities and treatment in Yerevan are generally sufficient for minor or straightforward ailments. Public healthcare outside Yerevan is likely to be basic. Private hospitals in Armenia are of a good standard but can be expensive.
\n\nMake sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical facilities in Armenia where some staff will speak English.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nTelephone: 911
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Armenia on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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