British holidaymakers planning trips abroad for 2026 are being urged to consult the latest Foreign Office advice, which currently flags 55 destinations with a stark 'do not travel' warning.
Why the Travel Warnings Matter for Your Safety and Insurance
With the new year approaching, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its guidance, identifying locations where the risk to British nationals is deemed unacceptably high. Ignoring this official advice carries serious consequences. Your travel insurance is likely to be invalidated if you choose to visit a country against FCDO warnings and subsequently encounter problems.
This could leave travellers without financial support or emergency assistance in dangerous situations, ranging from medical emergencies to evacuation from conflict zones. The FCDO emphasises that while no foreign travel can be guaranteed safe, its advice is designed to help individuals make informed decisions about their personal security.
Full List of Countries with a Total Travel Ban
The FCDO advises against all travel to the following nations due to extreme risks such as armed conflict, terrorism, unstable political situations, and a high threat of detention:
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Burkina Faso
- Haiti
- Iran
- Mali
- Niger
- Russia
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
In addition to these country-wide bans, the Foreign Office warns against all travel to specific regions within numerous other nations. These areas are often border zones or provinces experiencing unrest. Key examples include within 30km of the Algeria-Libya border, the Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique, and all regions of Ukraine except for some western areas.
Destinations Where Only Essential Travel is Advised
A separate category of advice, 'all but essential travel', applies to other locations. This means you should reconsider plans unless your trip is absolutely necessary. North Korea falls under this category due to its unpredictable security situation.
Similarly, parts of many popular destinations carry this warning. For instance, travellers are advised against non-essential travel to the Chapare region in Bolivia, the Cabinda Province in Angola (except the city), and several states in Mexico including Guerrero, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas.
The FCDO advises all British nationals to take personal responsibility for their travel decisions, thoroughly research their destinations using the official government advice pages, and consider signing up for email alerts for specific countries.
