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Please be advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice is now available at Ireland.ie/travel. Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated. To ensure you receive the latest Travel Advice for Syria, please see Ireland.ie.

Syria

If you’re travelling to Syria, our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information.

Security Status

  • Normal precautions
  • High degree of caution
  • Avoid non-essential travel
  • Do not travel
  • Overview
  • Safety and Security
  • Local Laws and Customs
  • Natural Disasters and Climate
  • Additional Information
  • Embassy Contact

Overview

Overview

Security status

Do Not Travel

Latest Travel Alert

On 6 February 2023, two earthquakes hit the Gazientep region of Southeast Türkiye, severely impacting cities in Northern Syria including Idlib and Aleppo. The risk of further aftershocks remains.

COVID-19 Entry Requirements

There are no COVID-19 related entry requirements for vaccinated passengers entering Syria. Unvaccinated passengers must carry a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result issued at most 96 hours before departure from the first embarkation point.

General Travel Advice

Following a decade of conflict and insecurity, Syria remains volatile and dangerous. If you’re currently in Syria, we strongly advise you to leave immediately while this is still possible. Ireland has no Embassy in Syria, and if the Consulate has to close at short notice, it’s extremely unlikely that we will be able to provide any consular assistance to Irish citizens in Syria.

We cannot guarantee that documents sent to or from the Honorary Consul in Damascus will reach their destination safely.

The decision to travel is solely your responsibility and you are responsible for your personal safety for the duration of your trip. Continue to monitor this travel advice for updates.

Irish citizens require a visa to enter Syria, however the Embassy of Syria in London is temporarily closed.

A valid passport is required for travel to Syria. Irish passports should have a minimum validity of three months from the date of entry into Syria. Passport cards cannot be used. 

Visitors to Syria are strongly advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities and stay fully informed of what's going on by monitoring local news and social media.

Citizens can also follow the Irish Embassy in Cairo on Twitter @IRLEmbCairo to ensure access to relevant updates and alerts.

Emergency Assistance

The ongoing conflict has seriously affected public infrastructure and services. You can try contacting the emergency services in Syria by dialling 112. Specific emergency numbers are:

  • Police: 112
  • Ambulance: 110

Our tips for Safe Travels:

  • Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all your planned activities.
  • Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
  • Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
  • Read our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.

As there is no Irish Embassy in Syria, we are limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the Irish Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. If you are an Irish citizen and in need of emergency assistance outside of normal office hours, then you can contact us on the following emergency number: +20 1274443942.

Safety and Security

Safety and security

Social unrest

If you’re currently in Syria, we strongly advise you to leave immediately while this is still possible. Our clear advice for some time has been to leave the country by commercial means.

If you decide to remain in Syria, against our clear advice, please ensure that your travel documents are up to date in case you need to leave the country at short notice and that you and your family have valid exit visas, if you need one to leave Syria.

Always keep yourself informed of what’s going on around you by monitoring local media and staying in contact with your hotel and local contacts. Follow the advice of the local authorities and stock up on basic necessities such as water, food, fuel and medicines as supplies of these may deteriorate rapidly, and without warning.

Demonstrations

Avoid demonstrations and large crowds and if you become aware of any disturbances leave the area immediately. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times.

Transport

The security situation has led to the suspension of commercial flights. There has been an increase in the number of checkpoints on major routes, and intermittent road closures on the main inter-city highways. If you want to leave Syria overland, check the status of the border crossing and access routes before travelling.

Crime

You should exercise caution if going outside after dark, and take sensible precautions: 

  • Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place
  • Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home
  • Avoid showing large sums of money in public
  • Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, and arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible
  • Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as internet cafés, train and bus stations

Reporting crime

If you’re a victim of a crime while in Syria, report it to the local police immediately. If you need help, you should contact the Embassy in Cairo or the Honorary Consul in Damascus.

Driving

If you’re planning to drive in Syria, road and driving standards are variable, so you should avoid driving outside the main cities at night. We advise against travel to the Syria-Iraq border. If you want to drive:

  • Bring your full Irish driver’s licence and your international driving permit and make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law and you risk being detained, fined or banned from driving if caught
  • Keep your vehicle doors locked and your bags kept out of sight to prevent opportunistic bag-snatching if you’re stopped at traffic lights

Security checkpoints

There has been an increase in the number of checkpoints on major routes, and intermittent road closures on the main inter-city highways

Hiring a vehicle

If you’re hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you’re allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times.

Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract (particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged).

Local Laws and Customs

Local laws and customs

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal.

Muslim culture

Syria is a conservative society, and you should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions. Avoid public displays of affection, dress conservatively (women's clothes should cover their legs and upper arms), be aware of your actions and take care not to offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or other religious festivals, or if you intend to visit religious areas.

During Ramadan, Muslims are not permitted to eat, drink or smoke during daylight hours. To avoid offence, you should not eat, drink or smoke in public during this time.

Local laws

While you’re in Syria, you’re subject to local laws, including ones that may seem harsh by Irish standards. In the current environment, foreigners as well as Syrians may be subject to arbitrary arrest and detention by the Syrian authorities. Getting information or providing consular assistance in these cases is extremely difficult.

Parents in particular should be aware that local laws regarding custody, etc of children are significantly different to those in force in Ireland. If you are involved in any local legal matters, particularly family law, we strongly advise you to get professional advice.

Illegal drugs

The punishment for possession of drugs is life imprisonment.  For drug trafficking, the death penalty applies.

LGBT

Homosexuality is illegal in Syria. Caution and discretion are advised at all times.

Photography

Photography near military and many other government installations is prohibited. Given the widespread nature of the current conflict, you should consider all areas as politically sensitive and therefore avoid photography completely.

Natural Disasters and Climate

Natural disasters and climate

Earthquakes

Syria is subject to occasional earthquakes. Monitor local updates during your stay and find out from your local contacts or your hotel what you should do in the event of an earthquake. Always follow local authorities’ instructions about security and evacuation.

Sandstorms

Dust- and sandstorms also occur.

Additional Information

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Irish citizens require a visa to enter Syria, however the Embassy of Syria in London is temporarily closed.

Passports

A valid passport is required for travel to Syria. Irish passports should have a minimum validity of three months from the date of entry into Syria. Passport cards cannot be used.

It’s advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you when travelling to Syria and you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times during your stay.

Health

There have been reported cases of cholera across the country. Cholera is a bacterial disease transmitted through contaminated drinking water or food. Drink only boiled or bottled water and ensure that food has been properly prepared. Additional information on cholera can be found here: Cholera (who.int).

Polio vaccination is recommended for all travellers from Ireland to countries where polio transmission is a risk. Before travelling to areas where poliomyelitis cases are still occurring, travellers should ensure that they have completed the recommended age-appropriate polio vaccine schedule and have received a booster dose, if necessary. More information is available on the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre website.

Water

We recommend that you drink only boiled or bottled water during your stay.

Money

It’s illegal to change money on the street so only change money in recognised exchange shops, banks and hotels. Credit cards are not widely used in Syria.  

As a result of international sanctions, financial institutions in several countries have suspended their transactions with Syria. This may affect your ability to make payments, withdraw cash from ATMs, etc. Please check with your bank/credit institution for further details. There have also been restrictions placed on financial transactions by the Syrian government.

 

Embassy contact

Embassy Contact

If you are an Irish citizen and in need of emergency assistance outside of normal office hours, then you can contact us on the following emergency number: +20 1274443942

Alternatively, the Duty Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs can be contacted at +353 1 408 2000.

Embassy of Ireland
18 Hassan Sabry Street
Zamalek
Cairo
Egypt

Tel: +202 27287100
Fax: +202 27362863

Monday to Friday 09:30-12:30

Contact us

Honorary Consulate Contact

Mr. Naji-Pierre Chaoui
Honorary Consul of Ireland
P.O. Box 46
Damascus
Syria

Tel: +963 11 334 2144
Fax: +963 11 222 1320

Email: Email us