Foreign travel advice

Ethiopia

ImportantCOVID-19: travel is different

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Summary

Still current at:4 September 2021Updated:3 September 2021Latest update:

Updated information on quarantine requirements for travellers arriving into Ethiopia (‘Entry requirements’ page)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advise against all travel to:

• the whole of Tigray regional state and within 30km of its borders with Amhara and Afar regional states
• the following areas of Amhara regional state: the whole of North Wello Zone; the whole of Wag Hemra Zone; Ambasel, Tehuleddere and Dessie waredas of South Wello Zone; Ebenat, Kemekem, Lay Gayint, Farta, Fogera, Gayint waredas of South Gondar Zone; Addi Arkay, Beyeda, Debark, Debat, Wegera, Belesa, Janamora, Beyeda, Sanja waredas of North Gondar Zone
• the following areas of Afar regional state: the whole of Zone 4, Chifra woreda in Zone 1; and Dalol, Kuneba, AbaAla and Megale in Zone 2
• the four woredas (districts) (Akobo, Wantawo, Jikawo and Lare) of Nuer zone and the Jore woreda of the Agnuak zone in Gambella region
• the West Wollega zone, and Nekemte town in East Wollega, in the Oromia region
• the Pawe, Guba, Dangur,Dibati, Bulen woredas in the Benishangul Gumuz region
• the Nogob (previously Fik), Jarar (previously Degehabur), Shabelle (previously Gode), Korahe and Dollo (previously Warder) zones of the Ethiopian Somali Region
• within 10 km of the border with South Sudan
• within 100 km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia and Kenya in the Afder and Liben zones of Ethiopia’s Somali region
• within 10 km of the border with Sudan and the other parts of the Kenyan border, with the exception of principal roads/towns

The FCDO advise against all but essential travel to:

• areas of Afar region within 10 km of the border with Eritrea, with the exception of tourist sites close to the main roads and open border crossings with Eritrea and the main roads to these border crossings. You should take local advice and not walk away from roads or towns unaccompanied
• the whole of Amhara and Afar regions, aside from those areas where the FCDO advises against all travel
• all other areas of the Ethiopian Somali Region, including Siti zone, Fafan zone (with the exception of the main road and railway line to Djibouti), and the areas of Liben and Afder zones more than 100km from the Somalia and Kenya borders
• the woredas (districts) of Tsegede, Mirab Armacho and Tach Armacho in North Gonder zone
• the Qellem Wollega zones, in the Oromia region
• the rest of Gambella region
• the rest of the Metekel zone of the Benishangul Gumuz region
• the remainder of Ethiopia based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks

There is a military conflict ongoing in the north of Ethiopia. Military clashes are now occurring in Tigray, Amhara and Afar regional states. The conflict has potential to escalate quickly and areas across Tigray, Amhara and Afar may see fighting with little warning. FCDO advises against all travel to Tigray and within 30km of its borders with Amhara and Afar regional states, and to specific areas in Amhara and Afar where there is known to be fighting, where there has recently been fighting, or where there is contested control. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Amhara and Afar regions because of the risk of conflict spreading to new areas without prior warning.

Elections took place in Ethiopia on 21 June. Further elections will take place in some regions in September. Historically, there has been an increase in demonstrations and localised violence around elections. You should avoid large gatherings and monitor local media for updates.

If you are in the vicinity of military activity and you cannot leave safely, you should stay indoors, away from windows and remain alert to developments that would enable you to leave safely.

Flights have been suspended across Tigray. Check with your airline before travelling. Some mobile and internet networks have been restored in Tigray, but large areas remain disconnected. Families should continue to share details with the British Embassy to enable us to locate British nationals in Tigray. If you are in the Tigray region and are able to, you should call: +251 11 617 01 00. If you are calling from the United Kingdom about family or friends you should call 020 7008 5000.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Ethiopia Committee of the Red Cross (ECRC) has set up a service to ‘restore family links’ across Tigray. You can contact them by phone +251 (0) 94 312 2207 or 251 (0) 11 552 7110, email add_tracing_service@icrc.org, or online.

Those of Tigrayan ethnicity may face increased scrutiny by the authorities, including at the airport and through police operations. You should follow the instructions of the authorities. For more information, see Local travel

The Ethiopian authorities have temporarily suspended visas-on-arrival and e-visas. All visitors must get a visa from the Ethiopian Embassy closest to their place of legal residence before travelling. See Entry Requirements for further details.

A State of Emergency is in place in North Showa, South Wollo and Oromia Special Zones in Amhara Region, following armed inter-ethnic clashes resulting in fatalities and large numbers of displaced people. Protests against the clashes have taken place across the region, particularly in Ataye. Some protests have become violent leading to fatalities. While attacks are mostly related to inter-ethnic disputes and foreigners have not been targeted, attacks can occur at any time with significant risk of being caught up in violence. If you’re travelling in the area, monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator.

There are ongoing armed clashes between ethnic groups in Hanruka, Gela’alo, Gewane, and Adaytu Woredas of Afar Regional State and the bordering areas of Somali Regional State and Dire Dawa. There are reports of road closures and roadblocks in the area, including on the main Addis Ababa to Djibouti road. If you’re travelling in the area, monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator. If you encounter a roadblock you should follow the advice of local authorities at the road block if they are present. If you encounter an unattended roadblock, turn around and don’t attempt to pass it.

COVID-19 entry restrictions for Ethiopia

Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Ethiopia’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.

Preparing for your return journey to the UK

Ethiopia is on the red list for entering England. Check what you must do to enter England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

If you’re planning travel to Ethiopia, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.

For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see the Coronavirus page.

There are frequent incidences of civil unrest in Ethiopia, including protests and strikes. Some of these can cause temporary closure of roads, internet and mobile networks or disruption to local businesses and transport. In the past some protests have escalated into serious violence. See Local travel

Tensions are raised in western parts of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) following armed clashes in Konso Zone and surrounding areas. The clashes have led to a number of deaths. Although there are no reports of foreign nationals being targeted, you should exercise extreme caution and follow the advice of local authorities.

Tensions are raised in the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State following armed clashes in Metekel zone. The FCDO now advise against all travel to the Pawe, Guba, Dangur, Dibati, Bulen woredas, and all but essential travel to the rest of the Metekel zone. Clashes have led to a number of abductions and deaths. See Benishangul-Gumuz Region.

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Ethiopia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. You should be vigilant at all times, especially in crowded areas and public places like transport hubs, hotels, restaurants, bars and places of worship and during major gatherings like religious or sporting events. There is a threat of kidnapping in Ethiopia’s Somali region, and on the southern border with Kenya, particularly in the eastern areas to which the FCDO advise against all travel. See Terrorism

Internet connections in Ethiopia, including mobile data, can be intermittent.

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. Consular support is severely limited in parts of Ethiopia where the FCDO advise against all travel and limited where the FCDO has existing advice against all but essential travel (see above).

Ethiopia is primarily a cash based society and banking facilities, including card payments and ATMs are very limited outside major cities. See Money

There is an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. You may see some additional checks taking place at arrival on all flights into Bole Airport in Addis Ababa. See Health

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.