Europe

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• We advise against all travel to Nagorno-Karabakh and the military occupied area surrounding it.
  

• Azerbaijan has changed its visa regime. See Entry Requirements – Visa Section of this Travel Advice.
  

• Azerbaijan faces a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets and places frequented by foreigners.

• Nine British nationals required consular assistance in Azerbaijan in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (2 cases); hospitalisations (0 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (5 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (8 cases). Crime against foreigners is generally low, but does occur. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.

• For identification purposes you should carry the correct form of document at all times. See the Local Laws and Customs and Entry Requirements sections of this Travel Advice.

• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice and travel insurance.

Safety and security

Terrorism

Azerbaijan faces a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners, such as international hotels, restaurants and pubs, as well as energy sector facilities. You should be aware of these risks and take sensible precautions. For more general information see terrorism abroad.

Crime

Visitors to Azerbaijan are generally welcomed. Crime levels in Baku are generally low, but muggings do occur from time to time after dark in the centre of town around the western bars and clubs. Some incidents have also occurred near dimly lit entrances of private apartments. You should take sensible precautions: be vigilant, avoid showing large sums of money in public and don’t walk alone at night in dark and unlit streets. You should ideally arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible by a reliable driver.

• a private or company driver
• or a taxi and driver known personally to you
• or one accredited to the hotel you are staying in

You should report any crimes to the local police station. Alternatively you can contact the Police Office of Crimes By and Against Foreigners on 490 9532 or 490 9452 out of office hours. When making a report to the Police take someone with you, preferably your company representative or someone who you know and can translate for you. Do not sign any documents you do not understand.  Corruption is an every day aspect of life in Azerbaijan, despite regulations prohibiting corrupt activities by public officials and others. We do not recommend the payment of bribes under any circumstances. For more general information see victims of crime abroad. 

Political Situation

Azerbaijan Country Profile

The political situation in Azerbaijan is calm.

Demonstrations, both opposition and Government sponsored, occasionally take place in Azerbaijan, and mainly in Baku. Opposition rallies are usually heavily policed and there has been violence on occasions. We recommend that you keep well away from any official or unofficial gathering of a political nature.

Local travel

We advise against all travel to Nagorno-Karabakh and the military occupied area surrounding it. This area is the subject of a continuing dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia and although a cease-fire has been in place since 1994 there are regular exchanges of gunfire across the Line of Contact. Some areas may be heavily land mined.

You should not attempt to enter or leave Azerbaijan via the land borders with Russia (i.e. Dagestan) as these are closed to foreign nationals. If you hold a valid visa it is possible to cross the Iranian border at Astara.

Road travel

You can drive in Azerbaijan using a licence issued by an EU country or by using an International Driving Licence. Right hand drive cars are not permitted in Azerbaijan – therefore you will not be able to enter / transit Azerbaijan in a RHD vehicle.

Care should be taken when driving in Azerbaijan (particularly at night). Many roads and are of poor quality and are badly lit. Many cars are poorly maintained, and the standard of driving is erratic. Most taxis do not have seat belts.

Drink driving laws are strict and there is a zero limit on drinking alcohol and driving. For more general information see driving abroad.

Rail Travel

As with other forms of public transport the Baku Metro is poorly maintained, often overcrowded and has inadequate safety and emergency equipment and procedures.  Should you travel by train, secure your valuables, do not leave the compartment unattended, and lock the door from the inside.

Air travel

It is not known whether safety procedures on aircraft used for internal and regional flights meet international standards. You should take this into consideration before using internal or regional flights.

For more general information see airline security.

Local laws and customs

Ninety-eight percent of the population of Azerbaijan is Muslim.  Azerbaijan is a largely secular society, and religion is usually considered a private matter.  You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. For more general information see travelling during Ramadan. Local and foreign women usually dress in western-style clothing. However, it is frowned upon for men (and to a certain extent women) to wear shorts, even in the height of summer. This can attract unwelcome attention.

Possession or use of illegal drugs of any kind carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms. The usual penalty for smuggling drugs is a prison term of between three to seven years and/or heavy fines.

Police occasionally carry out checks of identity documents. You are advised to carry your passport at all times, in a secure manner, and to keep a photocopy of the details page separately in a safe place. If you intend to remain in Azerbaijan for more than 30 days you should see the Entry Requirements section (below) for advice on local ID cards.
Homosexual, lesbian and transgender activity is legal in Azerbaijan, but many Azerbaijanis disapprove of public displays of affection.

An export certificate is required to take carpets and anything else considered antique out of Azerbaijan. Export certificates are available from the Carpet Museum or this can be arranged through the seller. It is also important to catalogue and declare to Customs any carpets or anything antique looking – even if clearly from a different part of the world - that you bring to Azerbaijan with you. Your relocation company should be able to offer you advice on this. You should use common sense when considering photographing sites such as military bases, equipment and installations in whatever condition. These are considered sensitive areas, and visitors have been detained and questioned while attempting to visit them. You should also be aware of cultural sensitivities when photographing mosques, churches and other religious sites. If in doubt, seek permission.
For more general advice for different types of travellers see your trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

Azerbaijan changed its visa regime in July 2009. Under the current system, the organisation/person inviting you to Azerbaijan must submit a letter of invitation on your behalf to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Baku. You should apply for your visa at least one month ahead of your intend travel date. If approved then authorisation will be sent by the MFA to Azerbaijan Embassy in London instructing them to issue the visa.  

It is still possible to obtain a visa on arrival at the airport, but delays should be expected.  While no longer a requirement it might be useful to have a copy of your letter of invitation and/or confirmation of hotel reservation. The fee to obtain a visa on arrival is currently USD 101.  This can be paid in either US dollars or Azerbaijani Manats. There are cash machines before immigration (and also in the arrivals hall but we advise you to carry a sufficient amount of either currency to cover the cost of your visa.  In addition to the fee you should present two passport-sized photographs. Travellers to Azerbaijan can obtain more detailed advice from the Azerbaijani Embassy in London: http://www.fco.gov.uk/content/en/contact/europe/dl-azerbaijan.

Please ensure you check the duration of your visa immediately to avoid overstaying unintentionally.

Your visa should be valid when departing Azerbaijan.  However, in exceptional circumstances you may be able to apply for a extension. Extensions can be obtained at the State Migration Service [SMS].  Their address is 53 Ataturk Avenue, Baku (Telephone hotline for information is + 995 (0)12 5618754).  You can extend a visa up to a maximum of three months at a cost of AZN10 per month. You must apply to SMS at least twenty-two working days before the expiry of your visa.

If you overstay you can obtain an ‘Exit Letter’ (a official letter giving permission to leave Azerbaijan within 48 hours) from SMS before you depart.  You will be liable to a fine of between AZN300 to AZN400. This fine must be paid at SMS – you cannot pay it at the airport.

Passport validity

Passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Azerbaijan. 

Caspian Sea ferry services

If you intend to take one of the Caspian Sea ferry services from Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan or Kazakhstan you should be aware that you need a valid visa for that country before you travel. You may find that if you arrive at your destination without a valid visa you will be returned back to Azerbaijan. Please note that there is now an Embassy of Turkmenistan in Baku from where British nationals can obtain visas.
 

Staying for longer than 30 days

All foreign nationals staying in Azerbaijan for longer than 30 days are required to carry an official ID card. This can be obtained from the police station nearest to your residence. We advise you to carry a photocopy of your passport details page and existing Azerbaijan visa while your application for a new or renewed visa or ID card is being processed. This can take between 1-2 weeks. Ministry of Interior Police conduct random checks of expatriates, and have detained some who were not carrying valid ID cards in accordance with the law. 

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. 

Health

Medical facilities outside Baku are very limited.  Serious illness or injury may require evacuation to, Turkey or Western Europe. You should therefore ensure that your insurance covers this.

There have been outbreaks of rabies in the remote rural areas of Azerbaijan and there is usually a small number of malaria cases during the summer months particularly in the southern part of Azerbaijan.
You should not drink tap water as it may be unsafe but safe bottled water is readily available.

You should be aware that contaminated locally produced alcoholic spirits are sometimes sold in small local bars and restaurants. In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 7,800 adults aged 15 or over in Azerbaijan were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.2% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Azerbaijan and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. For more general information see travel health.

H1N1 - Swine Flu

There are confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine flu) in Azerbaijan. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. There is a dedicated swine flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.
 

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) occurred in various regions of Azerbaijan in early 2006, resulting in five human fatalities in the Salyan and Tartar Region.  Since the end of 2003, a number of human deaths have also occurred in Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. However, as a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of the possibility that the Avian Influenza outbreaks could lead at some point to a human flu pandemic, if the virus mutates to a form which is easily transmissible between people.

British nationals living longer term in an Avian-Influenza affected region should take personal responsibility for their own safety in the event of a future pandemic, including considering their access to adequate healthcare and ensuring travel documents are up to date.

You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.

Natural disasters

The Caucasus is an area of regular seismic activity, although there have been no recent serious earthquakes in Azerbaijan.

General

Insurance

You are advised to obtain comprehensive medical as well as travel insurance to cover illness, injury and loss of money, baggage and tickets before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. Serious illness or injury may require evacuation to Turkey or Western Europe so you should ensure that your insurance covers this.  For more general information see travel insurance. If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is how we can help.
 

Registering with the British Embassy

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. 

Consular Assistance

Around 5,000 – 7,000 British nationals visit Azerbaijan every year, mainly on business. The Embassy provides a full consular assistance service, including issuing passports, registering births and deaths and certain notarial acts. The Embassy also assists British Citizens in distress, including those in detention. The main types of incidents for which British nationals require consular assistance in Azerbaijan is for passport renewals.

Money

All goods and services should be paid for in local currency (Manats). Sterling, US Dollars and Euros can easily be exchanged for the local currency. Major hotels and international supermarkets and restaurants accept credit cards. You are advised not to carry large amounts of cash. ATMs can be found in most major towns and cities. Prior to leaving the United Kingdom you are advised to contact your bank and inform them that you will be travelling to Azerbaijan. For anti-fraud reasons UK banks will often place a block on any UK issued credit or debit cards that you use in Azerbaijan if you have not informed them before travelling.