Norwegian Travel Advisories Expanded to Over 60 Countries Amidst Middle East Instability
Oslo – The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued travel warnings for over 60 countries, reflecting heightened global security concerns, particularly in the Middle East. As Norwegians begin planning trips for Easter and the summer holidays, the Ministry emphasizes the need for careful safety assessments both before and during travel. The ongoing conflicts and tensions in the region have led to airspace closures and flight cancellations, impacting travel routes to Africa and Asia.
Middle East Concerns Drive Increased Warnings
The security situation in the Middle East remains volatile, prompting increased scrutiny of travel destinations. On February 28, 2026, the Ministry expanded or tightened travel warnings for 14 countries. Further escalation occurred on March 6, 2026, with a tightening of the travel warning for Lebanon, now advising against all travel and encouraging Norwegian citizens to leave the country. Norway has advised against travel to Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and other nations in the region.
Recent events, including missile threats and aerial interceptions, underscore the instability. The United Arab Emirates experienced a missile threat on March 13, 2026, with debris falling on a building in Dubai. UAE air defenses are actively dealing with missile threats, and authorities are investigating the incidents.
Norwegian Authorities’ Guidance for Travelers
While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not prohibit travel, it strongly advises travelers to carefully consider the risks. Travel warnings can affect the validity of travel insurance, so it’s crucial to check policy coverage. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) is closely monitoring the situation, particularly regarding applications for residence and the safety of family members in the Middle East.
The Ministry recommends the following for those traveling abroad:
- Familiarize yourself with the situation at your destination and review the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ travel guidelines.
- Register your trip in the Reiseklar app or at reiseregistrering.no.
- Carefully assess your own safety.
- Ensure you have a valid passport.
- Verify your travel insurance coverage.
- Stay informed about any changes with your airline and travel company.
- Carry sufficient medication.
- Have adequate funds for travel and accommodation.
Current Travel Warnings – Selected Countries
As of March 13, 2026, the following countries are among those with travel warnings from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Bahrain
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Egypt
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Jordan
- Lebanon (all travel advised against)
- Libya
- Mali
- Myanmar
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Russia
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Ukraine
- Yemen
- United Arab Emirates
Note: This list is not exhaustive, and some countries may have warnings applying only to specific regions. Refer to the Norwegian government websites for the most up-to-date information.
UDI Updates and Prioritization
The UDI has resumed processing applications for protection (asylum) from Syrian citizens and stateless people from Syria as of December 25, 2025. The duty to return is temporarily suspended for Iranian nationals with final rejections of their residence applications, for up to three months from January 20, 2026. UDI will refrain from making decisions that would result in return to Iran during this period.
UDI is prioritizing already submitted applications from people in Palestine or Israel, but does not currently prioritize applications generally based on location in the Middle East, though individual requests for prioritization will be assessed.