No part of Iraq has a safety guarantee from international travel advisories. While official warnings focus heavily on armed conflict, kidnapping, and terrorism, opportunistic theft and pickpocketing occur in crowded public areas. The risk rises during major religious pilgrimages, such as Arbaeen in Karbala and Najaf, as well as in busy bazaars and transit hubs.
To protect yourself and your belongings:
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Keep money hidden. Iraq is primarily a cash economy. Carry only the dinars needed for immediate purchases, and hold them in a front pocket or cross-body bag worn across your chest. Keep remaining funds in a locked hotel safe.
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Guard your travel documents. Iraqi law requires you to carry original photographic identification, such as your passport, through checkpoints across federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Keep encrypted digital backups and paper photocopies separate from your original documents. If your passport is stolen, you must report the loss to local police and publish a notice in two local newspapers before immigration authorities grant an exit stamp.
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Note regional differences. Petty street crime is less frequent in the Kurdistan Region than in dense markets in Baghdad or Basra, but crowded bazaars in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah still require caution.
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Consider group and personal safety. Avoid walking through unlit areas after dark. Use hotel drivers or ride apps rather than unmarked street taxis. Women travellers should keep personal items zipped close to the body in dense crowds. LGBTQ+ travellers face severe legal penalties and harassment, making phone and digital privacy an essential security precaution.
In an emergency, dial 911 for police, 122 for an ambulance, or 115 for fire services.
Sources: UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Government of Canada Travel Advice. Checked on 2026-10-25.