Health and special needs

No vaccinations are required for entry when arriving directly from Europe or North America (Germany; US; Italy). Make sure routine vaccines are up to date, especially measles, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio. Hepatitis A is recommended for all travellers (Canada; Germany), and Canada also recommends hepatitis B for all. Typhoid, rabies and cholera vaccines may be advised depending on your risk; rabies is common and post-bite treatment may be limited. Italy recommends a dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) before travel. Yellow fever is not a risk and no certificate is needed (Canada). See a travel clinic at least 8 weeks before you go (UK).

Malaria: Germany reports only P. vivax, with a low seasonal risk from May to October, mainly in the north; the UK lists malaria among risks; Canada does not mention it. Use insect repellent. Leishmaniasis (spread by sandflies) is also present (Canada).

Do not drink tap water. Germany says never drink tap water; the US says tap water is unsafe in many areas and suggests asking for drinks without ice. Use bottled, boiled or filtered water. Follow 'boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it' for food (Canada). Older travel-guide text (Wikivoyage) says tap water is 'generally considered safe'; official advice disagrees, so follow the official advice.

Healthcare is limited. The US says basic care and medicines are available in Damascus and some coastal areas but not necessarily elsewhere. Canada calls basic care and medicines 'extremely limited', and Italy says European-made medicines are hard to find. Pharmacies in cities stock treatments for common illnesses. Most hospitals want cash up front or proof of insurance, and cards are generally not accepted (US).

Bring all the medicine you need for the whole trip plus extra days. Keep it in the original packaging with a copy of the prescription and a doctor's letter listing the medicine, dose and that it is for personal use (US; Australia; Netherlands). Check with the Syrian Ministry of Health or a Syrian embassy that each medicine is legal (US). Some medicines prescribed at home may be illegal in Syria (Australia), and drug penalties are severe, so take special care with strong painkillers, sleeping pills, ADHD medicines and other controlled drugs.

We found no rule that travel or health insurance is mandatory for entry. All official advisories strongly recommend insurance that covers treatment and medical evacuation. Because all of them advise against travel, many policies will not cover Syria or will be invalid (UK; Netherlands). Check the policy wording before you buy. We did not verify which insurers cover Syria. Heat is a real risk from May to October: drink plenty of water, avoid midday sun and carry a hat.

Required vaccinations

None for direct arrival (yellow fever certificate not required) as of October 30, 2026

Recommended for all

Routine vaccines incl. measles and polio; hepatitis A; hepatitis B (Canada) as of July 23, 2026

Risk-based

Typhoid, rabies, cholera; IPV polio booster (Italy) as of August 11, 2026

Malaria

Low seasonal P. vivax risk May–October, mainly north (Germany) as of October 30, 2026

Tap water

Not safe to drink as of October 30, 2026

Hospital payment

Cash or proof of insurance up front; cards generally not accepted as of August 7, 2026

Insurance mandatory for entry?

Not found in any source as of October 31, 2026

Sources:

• GOV.UK (FCDO) – Syria: Health October 27, 2026
• U.S. Department of State – Syria Travel Advisory and country information August 7, 2026
• Auswärtiges Amt – Syrien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise October 30, 2026
• France Diplomatie – Conseils aux voyageurs: Syrie
• Government of Canada – Travel advice and advisories: Syria July 23, 2026
• Smartraveller (Australian Government) – Syria
• Nederland Wereldwijd (Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken) – Reisadvies Syrië September 24, 2026
• Viaggiare Sicuri (Farnesina/ACI) – Scheda paese Siria (PDF) August 11, 2026
• Wikivoyage – Syria

Bring a copy of each child's birth certificate or other proof of your legal relationship to the child (US State Department). Under Syrian law a child under 18 needs the father's permission to leave Syria, even if a court gave custody to the mother. This matters most for families with a Syrian father or dual nationals; children of Syrian men are Syrian citizens from birth (Australia).

Health care for children is limited, so bring a full first-aid and medicine kit (Germany advises a personal travel pharmacy protected from heat). Make sure children's routine vaccines, especially measles, are up to date. Use bottled water for drinks and for mixing baby formula. Protect children from heat and sun from May to October.

We found no source on the availability of nappies, baby food and formula in Syrian shops, or on child car seats in taxis and hire cars. Assume car seats are not available and bring your own if you plan to travel by car.

Sources:

• U.S. Department of State – Syria Travel Advisory and country information August 7, 2026
• Auswärtiges Amt – Syrien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise October 30, 2026
• Government of Canada – Travel advice and advisories: Syria July 23, 2026
• Smartraveller (Australian Government) – Syria

Sources on accessibility are thin. The US State Department says Syria passed a law against discrimination of people with disabilities in 2024, but that it is not enforced. It says to expect limited accessibility in public transport, lodging, communication and information.

Pavements are often uneven and blocked by parked cars, and many public buildings, restaurants, cafés and tourist sites can only be reached by stairs (US). Power cuts can also stop lifts.

We found no list of accessible hotels or sites. Contact hotels and tour operators directly and ask for photos of entrances, lifts and bathrooms before booking.

Sources:

• U.S. Department of State – Syria Travel Advisory and country information August 7, 2026