Passport A valid passport with at least six months validity from the date of entry is required for all visitors .

Visa Most travellers require a visa to enter Ethiopia. e-Visas are available for many nationalities. Check the official Ethiopian e-Visa portal before travel. Visas are generally not obtainable on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport .

• Registration: All foreigners must register with the immigration authorities within 30 days of arrival.
• Yellow Fever Certificate: A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required if arriving from or transiting through a country with yellow fever risk .
• Additional: Proof of sufficient funds and a return/onward ticket may be required.
• Digital copies: Keep scans of all travel documents, including your passport and visa, in your email/cloud.

Official sources: Ethiopian e-Visa Portal · Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mandatory Vaccinations A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, or having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of such a country .

Recommended Vaccinations Consult a travel health specialist at least 4-6 weeks before travel . Recommended vaccines include :

• Hepatitis A – risk is high due to contaminated food and water .
• Hepatitis B – recommended for longer stays or contact with locals .
• Typhoid – bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated food and water .
• DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio) – ensure you are up to date. A polio booster is recommended for travellers to Africa .
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) – there is an increased risk of measles in Ethiopia .
• Rabies – recommended for travellers who may have contact with animals .
• Meningitis ACWY – recommended depending on the travel route and length of stay .
• Chikungunya – recommended for some travellers; risk of transmission exists .

• Travel Health Insurance is essential and must cover hospitalisation and medical evacuation (repatriation), as medical facilities generally do not meet European standards .
• Malaria: There is a high risk of malaria throughout the country, year-round below 2000 metres altitude . Take chemoprophylaxis (anti-malaria tablets) and use mosquito repellent containing DEET .
• Other Health Risks: Dengue, Zika, Schistosomiasis (avoid fresh water), and traveller's diarrhoea are common .
• Medical Care: Healthcare is extremely limited. In Addis Ababa, private clinics offer better care, but they are expensive and may require upfront payment .

Links: WHO · CDC Ethiopia.

Current Situation The security situation in Ethiopia is highly volatile and unpredictable. Armed conflicts, political and ethnic tensions, and violent protests are widespread .

• Regional Risks: Travel is advised against in the following regions due to a very high risk of armed conflict, kidnapping, and violent crime :
  • Tigray Region – ongoing armed confrontations and border tensions.
  • Amhara Region – highly unstable; state of emergency was recently in effect.
  • Afar, Somali, and Oromia Regions – border disputes and ethnic conflicts.
  • Western Oromia (Wellega area) – increased risk of kidnapping and armed attacks .
• Addis Ababa: The capital is currently calm but not safe. Street crime (robberies, assaults) is on the rise . Avoid large crowds and demonstrations .
• Fuel Shortage: Ethiopia is experiencing fuel shortages, which may affect transport and essential services .
• Emergency plan: Save emergency numbers, embassy contacts, and your accommodation address in Amharic.

Official travel advisories: U.S. State Department · UK FCDO · German Foreign Office.

• Police: 991 (Ethiopian Federal Police)
• Ambulance: 907
• Fire brigade: 939

Ethiopian Federal Police: ethiopianpolice.gov.et.

US Embassy in Addis Ababa: Entoto Street · et.usembassy.gov · +251 111 306 000

UK Embassy Addis Ababa: Fikre Mariam Road · gov.uk/.../british-embassy-addis-ababa · +251 11 661 0000

German Embassy Addis Ababa: Yeka Kifle Ketema, Woreda 05, Kebele 13/14 · addis-abeba.diplo.de · +251 11 516 1800

French Embassy Addis Ababa: Kebele 05, House No. 1249 · et.ambafrance.org · +251 11 557 0000

🔍 Full list of embassies and consulates in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa, one of the oldest independent nations in the world. It is the most populous landlocked country in Africa and a cultural and political powerhouse on the continent. The country is known for its ancient history, diverse cultures, and the unique Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

• Political system: Federal parliamentary republic.
• Main income: Agriculture (coffee, teff, livestock), services, and manufacturing.
• Nature: The highlands of the Ethiopian Plateau, the Great Rift Valley, the Danakil Desert, and the Blue Nile waterfalls.

Ethiopian society is known for its strong identity, hospitality, and religious traditions. Official e-Visa Portal · Ethiopian Tourism.

Climate Ethiopia has a highly varied climate: a tropical monsoon climate in the lowlands and a temperate climate in the highlands.

• Dry season: October to May (cool and dry); the main rainy season is from June to September.
• Temperature: In Addis Ababa (elevation 2,355 m), temperatures range from 10°C to 25°C year-round. In the lowlands, temperatures can exceed 40°C.
• Clothing: Light, breathable fabrics are recommended. A warm layer is essential for the evenings in the highlands. Modest clothing is expected in religious sites.

Addis Ababa weather forecast.

Official Amharic is the working language of the federal government. Oromo, Tigrinya, Somali, and Afar are also widely spoken. English is taught in schools and used in business and tourism .

• Useful phrases (Amharic): Selam (hello), Amesegenalehu (thanks), Ebet (yes), Aydelem (no), Enquan (please), Inji (water).
• Mentality: Traditional and respectful. It is important to show deference to elders and authorities.
• Religion: Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity (majority), Islam, and Protestantism.
• Internet/Wi-Fi: Limited and can be unpredictable, especially outside the capital . Local SIM cards are available from Ethio Telecom.

Voltage 220 V · Frequency 50 Hz

Plug types C (Europlug) and F (Schuko).

• Adapter needed? No, for most European devices (Type C/F).
• Converter? Not needed for 220 V devices. For 110 V devices (US, Japan), a step-down converter is required.

Currency Ethiopian Birr (ETB). Current exchange rate.

• Cash: Ethiopia is predominantly a cash economy. US Dollars and Euros are widely accepted for exchange .
• Cards: Visa and Mastercard are accepted in major hotels and some upscale restaurants in Addis Ababa. Outside the capital, cards are rarely accepted.
• ATMs: Available in Addis Ababa, but may not always work. Withdrawing cash can be difficult.
• Price level: Low to medium compared to Western Europe.
• Tipping: Tipping is not expected but appreciated.

Airports Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) – main hub and one of Africa's busiest.

• Getting around: Travel outside Addis Ababa is strongly discouraged due to security risks and fuel shortages .
• Taxis: In Addis Ababa, use ride-hailing apps (e.g., Ride, Uber – if available) for safety. Avoid minibuses and public transport due to security risks .
• Car rental: Available but not recommended. Driving can be challenging due to poor road conditions and checkpoints.
• Important: Due to fuel shortages, transport is severely disrupted. Contact your travel provider before travel .

Ethiopian Airlines.

Hotel types Luxury (Sheraton, Hilton) and mid-range hotels are available in Addis Ababa. Outside the capital, accommodation is very basic.

• Safety: Keep doors and windows locked. Do not leave valuables unattended.
• Opening hours: Shops generally open from 09:00 to 20:00.
• Local regulations: The export of antiques requires authorization. Keep receipts for souvenirs . Photography of government buildings, military sites, and infrastructure is prohibited and can lead to arrest .

Must-try dishes The national dish is injera (a sour, spongy flatbread) served with various stews (wats), such as Doro Wat (spicy chicken stew) or Shiro Wat (chickpea stew).

• Drinks: Ethiopian coffee (ceremony) is world-famous. Beer (e.g., St. George, Bedele) and tej (honey wine) are also popular.
• Street food: Not recommended for hygiene reasons.
• Tap water: Do not drink tap water. Use only bottled water .

Time zone UTC+3 (East Africa Time – EAT).

• Public holidays: Ethiopian calendar has 13 months and is behind the Gregorian calendar. Major holidays include Enkutatash (New Year, September 11), Meskel (Discovery of the True Cross, September 27), and Timkat (Epiphany, January 19).
• Closing days: Many shops and museums are closed on public holidays.

Ethiopian tourism.

Places Addis Ababa, Lalibela (rock-hewn churches), Gondar, Axum, and the Omo Valley.

• Cultural/Historical: The rock churches of Lalibela (UNESCO), the ancient city of Axum (UNESCO), Gondar's castles, and the National Museum of Ethiopia (home to Lucy).
• Nature: The Simien Mountains National Park, the Danakil Depression (one of the hottest places on Earth), and the Great Rift Valley lakes.
• Important: Many of these sites are in high-risk zones. Travel outside Addis Ababa is strongly discouraged .

Ethiopian Tourism.

Nightlife Addis Ababa has a vibrant scene with bars, clubs, and live music. However, due to the security situation, moving around at night is not advised .

• Events: Major religious festivals (Timkat, Meskel) are important cultural events.

Event calendar.

• Ethiopian Tourism
• Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• e-Visa Portal
• Ethiopian Airlines
• EBC (Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation) · Addis Standard (news)
• Google Maps — Ethiopia
• YouTube — Ethiopia travel & documentaries
• Google News — Ethiopia