Azerbaijan

Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. Terrorists may target tourist areas, attractions, or other places frequented by foreigners. There's an increased threat of attacks against Israel and Israeli interests.

Exercise heightened caution in locations where foreigners and large crowds may gather.

Possible targets include:

• places of worship or religious holidays
• hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes
• markets and shopping malls
• outdoor recreation events

To stay safe:

• be aware while in places known to be possible targets
• report suspicious activities or items to the police
• check the media for new threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the instructions of local authorities

If there is an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe to do so.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Demonstrations and protests

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. Police sometimes use force to break up demonstrations.

To stay safe during periods of unrest:

• avoid public protests and rallies
• monitor local media and other sources
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Conflict zones

The region of Nagorno-Karabakh is now under the control of Azerbaijan following military action in September 2023. 

We recommend you do not travel to Armenia-Azerbaijan border areas or Nagorno-Karabakh.

Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding region can have unmarked landmines. There is limited infrastructure. If, despite our advice, you travel to these areas, get professional security advice. 

Serious crime

Violent crime is rare in Azerbaijan.

Foreigners have reported serious crime, including home burglaries, robbery and assault.

Be careful walking after dark, including near hotels and in residential areas.

Drink and food spiking

Watch out for drink and food spiking. This can occur in bars and nightclubs in Baku. You're at higher risk of theft if you get drugged.

Never accept food or drinks from strangers or new acquaintances. Never leave food or drinks unattended.

More information:

• Partying safely

Petty crime and scams

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, can happen. Take care at outdoor markets and on public transport, including the Baku Metro.

Travellers and expats have reported thieves posing as police officers who demand money. Ask to follow the police officer to the nearest station to pay the fine.

Avoid using unofficial taxis. Ask your hotel to arrange one, or go to an official taxi rank.

Use ATMs in controlled areas, like banks, shops and shopping centres. Avoid ATMs that open onto the street, especially at night.

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

More information:

• Cyber security when travelling overseas

Kidnapping occurs across the world with political, ideological, and criminal motives. Foreigners, including Australians, have been kidnapped overseas whilst travelling. Kidnaps can happen anywhere, anytime, including destinations that are typically at lower risk.

If despite our advice, you travel to an area with a high risk of kidnapping our ability to provide consular assistance in these destinations is limited. 

To reduce the risk of kidnapping:

• always be alert to your personal security and surroundings
• get professional security advice for travel in locations with a heightened kidnap risk
• check your accommodation has appropriate security measures
• avoid isolated locations, particularly when travelling alone
• notify family or friends of planned travel and share your location 
• avoid talking about your money or business affairs
• use ATMs in public places and during daylight hours
• avoid giving personal details to strangers online or over the phone

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

Ransom payments to kidnappers have funded further terrorist attacks and criminal activity. Paying a ransom to terrorist groups will likely break Australian counter-terrorism financing laws.

More information:

• Kidnapping

Earthquakes can happen in Azerbaijan.

To protect yourself if there's a natural disaster or severe weather:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• keep in contact with friends and family
• check local media and other sources
• follow the advice of local authorities

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

More information:

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

In Azerbaijan, many painkillers and other prescription narcotics available in Australia are subject to strict restrictions. You should avoid carrying or shipping these medications. If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Azerbaijan. Take enough legal medicine for your trip. 

Carry a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

For more information, contact the Azerbaijan Embassy in Canberra: canberra@mission.mfa.gov.az. 

More information:

• Medication

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is common. Take precautions if you engage in activities that may expose you to the virus.

Other health risks

Foodborne, waterborne and other infectious diseases are common. These include:

• typhoid
• hepatitis
• tuberculosis
• rabies

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid unpasteurised dairy products
• avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

More information:

• Infectious diseases

Medical facilities are adequate in private hospitals in Baku.

Services in government hospitals and other areas of the country are often limited. Shortages of basic medical supplies are common.

Serious illness or injury may require evacuation to Turkiye or Western Europe. Make sure your insurance covers this. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

Doctors and hospitals will usually need up-front payment before treatment.

Critical care for Australians who become seriously ill is likely to be significantly below the standards available in Australia.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences are severe. They can include long prison sentences and heavy fines.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

Always carry your passport and visa. Routine police checks in public and tourist spots are common.

You could be fined or jailed if you don't show a valid travel document when asked.

In Azerbaijan, it's illegal to:

• visit or take photos of military equipment and sites
• take photos of military personnel
• buy antique or cultural artefacts without a permit
• export antiques or cultural artefacts without an official certificate and receipt of purchase
• convert a person to another faith

Export rules apply to religious objects, carpets, artworks and caviar. Check with local authorities before you export any items.

If you're suspected of a crime, even a minor crime, you may have to stay in Azerbaijan while your case is investigated. This may last for several months. 

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Azerbaijan doesn't recognise dual nationality.

If you're a dual Australian-Azerbaijani citizen, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.

Always travel on your Australian passport.

Azerbaijan citizens may need to do military service. If you're an Australian-Azerbaijani dual national, get advice on your service obligations from the embassy or consulate of Azerbaijan. Do this well before you travel.

More information:

• Dual nationals

The Islamic holiday month of Ramadan is observed in Azerbaijan. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time.

During Ramadan, eating, drinking, and smoking may be illegal in public during the day. If you're not fasting, avoid these activities around people who are. Seek local advice to avoid offence.

Explore our Ramadan page to learn more, including dates for Ramadan.

Dress and behaviour

Dress standards can be conservative outside of Baku. Public displays of affection may not be welcome. Dress conservatively. Take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.

LGBTQIA+ information

Same-sex relationships are legal but not widely accepted.

Intolerance, discrimination and violence towards LGBTQIA+ people happens in Azerbaijan. Avoid public displays of affection.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Visas

You'll need a visa to visit Azerbaijan. 

You can apply for an electronic visa (e-visa) valid for 90 days. You can do this online through Azerbaijan's Official Electronic Visa Portal. Allow at least 3 business days for processing a standard e-visa and 3 hours for an urgent e-visa (additional service fee applies). 

If you don't abide by your visa or permit terms, you may be fined, deported and banned from re-entering Azerbaijan.

Ensure your passport is valid for at least 3 months from the expiry date of the e-visa.

Visa extensions

You can apply to extend or renew your visa through Azerbaijan's State Migration Service. Keep a copy of your passport and existing visa while your application is being processed. The Ministry of Interior Police may ask to see your documents at any time. See Local laws.

More information:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Registering with the police

If you plan to stay in Azerbaijan for over 15 days, you must register with the State Migration Service online (registration upon place of stay) or at regional migration departments (www.migration.gov.az), even if you have a 90-day visa. Do this within 10 days of arrival. If you don't, you'll be fined.

You may not be able to leave Azerbaijan until you pay the fine and get an exit permit from the State Migration Service.

Travel via Nagorno-Karabakh

If your passport has visas or stamps from Nagorno-Karabakh, you could be refused entry into Azerbaijan. Land borders are currently closed except for freight.

Travel via neighbouring countries

Travel restrictions may apply to Australians travelling overland from Azerbaijan to neighbouring countries.

Check the nearest embassy or consulate of Azerbaijan for any travel restrictions. You'll also need to check the rules of neighbouring countries.

Validity

Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Passport with 'X' gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

More information:

• LGBTQIA+ travellers

Azerbaijan's currency is the Azerbaijani Manat (AZN).

Declare any amount of foreign currency on arrival. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

You can export up to $US10,000 without documentation. Contact the embassy or consulate of Azerbaijan for details.

Azerbaijan is a cash-based economy. You'll need to pay in local currency for many goods and services.

US dollars and euros are also common. You can change notes in good condition for local currency.

Credit cards are becoming more common in major cities. They may not be accepted in smaller restaurants and stores.

Traveller's cheques aren't often accepted, except in major hotels, some restaurants and banks.

ATMs are available in major cities.

Driving permit

You can drive in Azerbaijan with a current Australian driver's licence. Foreigners staying for more than one month may need to get a local driver's licence through ASAN Service Offices.

You may also need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for travel and car insurance. Check with your insurer and car provider before you drive.

Road travel

Driving in Azerbaijan can be dangerous. Common dangers include:

• roads and vehicles in poor condition
• drivers who ignore traffic signals and rules
• high-speed crashes that cause serious injury or death
• rural roads without lights or road signs
• sharing the road with pedestrians, slow-moving farm equipment and livestock

Right-hand drive cars are illegal in Azerbaijan.

It's illegal to drive with a blood alcohol reading above 0%.

Before you drive in Azerbaijan:

• check if your travel insurance will cover you
• get to know local road rules

Look out for pedestrians, livestock and farm equipment when you drive, particularly in rural areas.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Taxis

Use registered taxis and authorised limousines. It's best to get your hotel to arrange a taxi for you.

Avoid flagging down taxis in the street.

Always use an official taxi rank.

Sit in the back seat rather than the front.

Public transport

Public transport can be overcrowded, especially buses. It may not meet Australian safety standards.

Take care of your belongings because petty crime occurs.

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Rail travel

The Baku Metro has standard safety equipment and procedures. Metro signs are in Azerbaijani.

To reduce your risks if you travel by overland train:

• secure your valuables
• don't leave the compartment unattended
• lock the door of your compartment from the inside

Air travel

Before you travel on Azerbaijan's domestic airlines, be aware that:

• planes may not meet international standards for maintenance
• overbooking and overcrowding is common
• cancellations and delays can occur without explanation

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Azerbaijan's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 101.

Medical emergencies

Cal 103.

Police

Call 102.

Call 112 for the emergency hotline.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia doesn't have an embassy in Azerbaijan. For consular help, contact the Australian Embassy in Turkiye.

Australian Embassy, Ankara

MNG Building, 7th Floor
88 Uĝur Mumcu Caddesi
Gaziosmanpaşa, Ankara
Turkey

Phone: +90 312 459 9500
Fax: +90 312 446 4827
Website: turkey.embassy.gov.au
Email: consular.ankara@dfat.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Turkiye
X: @AusAmbTurkiye

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

Limited consular assistance (not including notarial services or the issue of Australian passports) is available from the British Embassy in Baku.

British Embassy, Baku

45 Khagani Street
Baku 1010
Azerbaijan

Phone: (+994 12) 437 7878
Fax: (+994 12) 497 7434
Website: gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-baku

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia