Is Iraq safe for women travellers?

The short answer · sourced

Significant restrictions

Iraq carries significant legal restrictions for women travellers — the clearest concern is women's legal rights (severe legal inequality).

Protection · indicative

31/100

What to know as a woman

the sourced facts that weigh most for you · concerns first

Women's legal rights

Severe legal inequality

Women 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.

Abortion access

To save life only

Abortion 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.

Anti-discrimination protection

Partial protection

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.

In detail — every fact, dated & sourced

Identity & recognition

Same-sex relationships

Criminalised

Same-sex relations are criminalised under a 2024 amendment to the Anti-Prostitution Law No. 8 of 1988, punishable by 10 to 15 years’ imprisonment.

Law· as of 2024ILGA WorldEstablished

Legal gender recognition

Not possible

Changing legal gender is not possible in federal Iraq, and the 2024 anti-LGBT law further criminalises gender-affirming transition and ’imitating women’.

Law· as of 2025EqualdexLimited data

Anti-discrimination protection

Partial (Art. 14)

Law· as of 2005Constitution of the Republic of Iraq (2005), Art. 14Established

Disability rights

CRPD 2013 + Law 38

Iraq 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).

Law· as of 2013United NationsEstablished

Women's legal rights

Severe legal inequality

Women 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.

Published index· as of 2023World BankEstablished

LGBTQ+ legal equality

Few or no protections

LGBTQ+ 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.

Published index· as of 2026EqualdexEstablished

Body & health

Abortion access

To save life/health

Abortion 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.

Law· as of 2024Center for Reproductive RightsLimited data

Cannabis & personal drug law

Illegal, severe

Cannabis 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.

Law· as of 2017Iraqi Narcotics Law No. 50 of 2017Established

Faith & conscience

Government restriction of religion

Very high restriction

Pew Research Center’s Government Restrictions Index rates Iraq ’Very High’ (2022 data, published December 2024).

Published index· as of 2024Pew Research CenterEstablished

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.

Law· as of 2024Humanists InternationalEstablished

Speech & press

Freedom of expression

Not free · 31/100

Rated Not Free, 31/100, by Freedom House (2025).

Published index· as of 2025Freedom HouseEstablished

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.

Law· as of 2025U.S. Department of State - Iraq Country InformationLimited data

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.

Law· as of 2025Al Tamimi & Company - Work Permits and Foreign Employment in IraqLimited data

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.

Official advisory· as of 2025Fragomen - Iraq: Introduction of Health InsuranceEstablished

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.

Law· as of 2024WHO EMRO - Pharmaceutical regulations in IraqLimited data

Laws differ from lived experience and this is not legal advice. Each fact shows its evidence type, date and source. Full method & sources →