UK Foreign Office updates travel advice for Eritrea

What was announced

On 9 November 2026, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office updated its Eritrea guidance to remove information about the temporary withdrawal of dependants of British Embassy staff.

Main safety warnings remain active. The FCDO advises against all travel within 25km of all of Eritrea's land borders. It advises against all but essential travel to the remainder of the country.

The FCDO noted that tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia are high. If a crisis develops, travel options within or out of Eritrea could change rapidly.

What it means

Travel advice informs travellers of safety risks before they make choices about international trips. Going against FCDO advice can invalidate standard travel insurance policies.

Consular support remains severely limited across Eritrea. Embassy staff in Asmara need official permits from the Eritrean government to travel outside the capital city. As a result, diplomats cannot offer in-person help in restricted regions. Local authorities might not notify the embassy when foreign citizens face arrest, and past requests for access to detainees have been denied.

Dual British-Eritrean nationals face extra restrictions. Local law treats dual citizens and individuals of Eritrean origin as Eritrean nationals. They can be held to national obligations, including taxes and compulsory military service. The embassy cannot offer consular assistance to dual nationals staying in Eritrea.

What the announcement does not tell us

The announcement does not explain why information about embassy staff dependants was removed. It does not state whether dependants have returned to Asmara or if another arrangement was made.

The document does not clarify the current troop movements or security details along the Ethiopian border. It also does not list specific events that would trigger government evacuation assistance. Travellers are told to prepare to arrange their own departure if a crisis starts.