Is Iraq safe for religious-minority travellers?
Significant restrictions
Iraq carries significant legal restrictions for religious-minority travellers — the clearest concern is government restriction of religion (very high restrictions).
What to know as a religious-minority traveller
the sourced facts that weigh most for you · concerns first
Pew Research Center’s Government Restrictions Index rates Iraq ’Very High’ (2022 data, published December 2024).
Article 372 of the Penal Code punishes insulting religious rites or objects of reverence with up to three years’ imprisonment and is actively enforced, including recent prosecutions over social-media content.
Article 14 of the 2005 Constitution guarantees equality regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion and opinion, but there is no comprehensive anti-discrimination statute and no protection for sexual orientation.
Identity & recognition
Same-sex relationships
CriminalisedSame-sex relations are criminalised under a 2024 amendment to the Anti-Prostitution Law No. 8 of 1988, punishable by 10 to 15 years’ imprisonment.
Legal gender recognition
Not possibleChanging legal gender is not possible in federal Iraq, and the 2024 anti-LGBT law further criminalises gender-affirming transition and ’imitating women’.
Anti-discrimination protection
Partial (Art. 14)Article 14 of the 2005 Constitution guarantees equality regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion and opinion, but there is no comprehensive anti-discrimination statute and no protection for sexual orientation.
Disability rights
CRPD 2013 + Law 38Iraq acceded to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 20 March 2013 and enacted the Care for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs Act (Law No. 38 of 2013).
Women's legal rights
Severe legal inequalityWomen face severe legal inequality — the WBL index scores 48/100 (2023), with major restrictions across mobility, marriage, work and property. Research local rules on freedom of movement carefully.
LGBTQ+ legal equality
Few or no protectionsLGBTQ+ people face a hostile legal environment — Equaldex scores 3/100 (2026); expect few or no protections, and in some places active criminalisation. Research local law and discretion carefully.
Body & health
Abortion access
To save life/healthAbortion is prohibited under Article 417 of the Penal Code and permitted only to preserve the woman’s life or health, with fetal-impairment exceptions in practice.
Cannabis & personal drug law
Illegal, severeCannabis is an illegal narcotic under Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law No. 50 of 2017; personal possession carries 1 to 3 years’ imprisonment and fines, while trafficking can bring life imprisonment or death.
Faith & conscience
Government restriction of religion
Very high restrictionPew Research Center’s Government Restrictions Index rates Iraq ’Very High’ (2022 data, published December 2024).
Blasphemy & apostasy law
Enforced (Art. 372)Article 372 of the Penal Code punishes insulting religious rites or objects of reverence with up to three years’ imprisonment and is actively enforced, including recent prosecutions over social-media content.
Speech & press
Freedom of expression
Not free · 31/100Rated Not Free, 31/100, by Freedom House (2025).
Your obligations on arrival
Address / residence registration
Foreign nationals on non-visit visas must register with the Directorate of Residence (Ministry of Interior) shortly after arrival, generally within about 10 days, under the Foreigners’ Residence Law No. 118 of 1978; an HIV/hepatitis test is also required within 10 days.
Student work rights
A student or residence visa does not authorise employment; paid work requires a separate employment visa and a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
Health insurance
Iraq requires travellers, including e-visa and visa-on-arrival applicants, to hold mandatory Iraqi health insurance via the National Electronic Insurance platform, presented to immigration on arrival, with the fee bundled into the visa cost.
Bringing medication
Under the Pharmacy Law of 1970 importing medicines requires Ministry of Health approval; personal-use quantities carried with a doctor’s prescription are generally tolerated, but controlled substances need prior authorisation.
Laws differ from lived experience and this is not legal advice. Each fact shows its evidence type, date and source. Full method & sources →
Emergency numbers
Travel-medical cover that works abroad with no local address, and a data eSIM so maps and messaging work the moment you land.