Travel · Official advice · 14 October 2026
FCDO updates Eritrea travel advice on staff dependant withdrawal
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office says it has updated travel advice for Eritrea to note the temporary withdrawal of staff dependants. It says the British Embassy in Asmara continues to operate. Consular support is severely limited in parts of the country.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office says it has updated its travel advice for Eritrea to include information about the temporary withdrawal of dependants of British Embassy staff. This update reflects a precautionary measure taken regarding UK personnel in the region.
It says the FCDO advises against all travel to areas within 25km of Eritrea's land borders and against all but essential travel to the rest of the country. The British Embassy in Asmara, located at 66-68, continues to operate. Office hours are 8am and 4:30pm on Monday-Thursday and 8am and 12:30pm on Friday. For out-of-hours support, the British Embassy Addis Ababa can be reached at +251 116 170 100 and the Foreign Office in London at +44 207 008 5000.
It says consular support is severely limited in parts of Eritrea, and staff cannot offer in-person support in areas where travel is advised against. Diplomats at the British Embassy require travel permits from the Eritrean government to travel outside Asmara. Travel insurance may be invalidated if a person travels against FCDO advice. British nationals in need of urgent help during office hours should visit the British Embassy in Asmara.
The announcement does not specify the duration of the temporary withdrawal of staff dependants. It does not provide details on the specific security incidents that prompted the precautionary measure.
Written by StreetOwl from Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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