Change of https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bahrain

Change description : 2026-07-09 16:51:00: Updated information about regional tensions (‘Warnings and insurance’ page). [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2026-06-18 13:00:26.202530497 +00:00..2026-07-09 16:00:53.450871589 +00:00

Foreign travel advice

Bahrain

Warnings and insurance

Regional tensions

The US and Iran have announcedIran have announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in relation to the conflict in the Middle East. The situation remains unpredictable. Iranunpredictable hasand carriedattacks outcould further attacks onresume Bahrainat since the MOU was agreed, and could do so again at short notice.

Should hostilities resume, British nationals should:

  • read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad - GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
  • follow advice from the local authorities.
  • sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
  • monitor local and international media for the latest information
  • stay away from areas around security or military facilities
  • keep your departure plans under review, noting that in April 2026 there was simultaneous closure of airspace and the King Fahd Causeway to Saudi Arabia,  and ensure your travel documents are up to date
  • if you are advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection. The greatest risk is from falling debris caused by intercepts, and you are safest inside a secure structure. Do not approach or touch any drone or missile fragments or unusual objects

Before the 8 April ceasefire, the Iranian regime had stated its intention to target locations in the Gulf associated with the US and Israel. This included US or Israeli-linked organisations, businesses, facilities and institutions. Iran has previously targeted civilian infrastructure across the region such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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Update history

2026-07-09 16:51
Updated information about regional tensions (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2026-06-18 13:58
FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to Bahrain. Updated information about regional tensions (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2026-06-12 16:05
Updated information about ‘Regional escalation’ and ‘Leaving Bahrain’ (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2026-06-05 16:58
New information about non-Bahraini passengers who have visited countries affected by the Ebola outbreak within the past 30 days (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2026-05-29 16:37
Addition of information about entry restrictions for those entering Bahrain from Ebola-affected regions (‘Entry requirements’ page). 

2026-04-17 12:02
Updated information about shelter in place (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2026-04-14 16:33
Update to information regarding regional escalation (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2026-04-10 15:12
Updated information on leaving Bahrain (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2026-04-07 19:58
Updated information about leaving Bahrain (‘Warnings and insurance page’)

2026-04-01 16:11
Updated information about regional escalation (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2026-03-20 18:20
Addition of information about regional escalation (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2026-03-14 10:00
Updated information about regional escalation (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2026-03-09 17:16
New information about entry to Saudi Arabia (see ‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).

2026-03-08 17:18
Updated information about the regional escalations and new information about extending your visa, public gatherings and security sites and incidents (‘Warnings and insurance’, ‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).

2026-03-04 17:07
New information that we have taken the precautionary measure to temporarily withdraw some of our staff and their dependents from Bahrain. Our Embassy continues to operate (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2026-03-03 21:04
Updated information about regional escalation and leaving Bahrain (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2026-02-28 23:43
The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Bahrain. Register your presence if you’re in Bahrain (Warnings and insurance)

2026-02-28 10:05
Addition of information due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in Bahrain should immediately shelter in place. Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities. (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)

2026-02-27 22:29
Updated information about the risks of regional escalation (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2026-01-14 21:18
There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2025-12-10 12:37
New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2025-11-28 16:38
Removal of information about regional risks.

2025-06-27 19:54
Updated information about regional risks (see “Warnings and Insurance” page)

2025-06-24 17:34
Updated information about the risks of regional escalation and the instruction to take shelter if instructed (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2025-06-22 12:31
Update on regional risks following US military strikes against Iran on 22 June (‘Safety and security’ page).

2025-06-19 20:24
Latest update: Updated information about possible travel disruptions, including short-notice airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights (‘Safety and security’ page)

2025-06-13 12:39
Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region (‘Safety and security’ page).

2025-06-04 14:08
Updated information on passport requirements for dual Bahraini-UK nationals (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2024-10-26 08:31
Information on an Israeli military attack on Iran (Safety and security)

2024-10-16 16:25
Updated information on passport validity requirements and list of previous protest locations (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).

2024-09-29 00:36
Updated information on the Conflict affecting Lebanon (Safety and Security Pages)

2024-05-20 15:34
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.

2024-04-26 12:36
Removal of some language on military activity in the region (‘Summary’ page).

2024-04-19 14:59
Information on explosions in Iran, and unconfirmed reports of explosions in Syria and Iraq (‘Summary’ page).

2024-04-14 09:16
13 April 2024 – drones and missiles fired from Iran into Israel (‘Summary’ page)

2024-04-12 20:05
Information on regional risks (‘Safety and security’ page).

2024-01-12 00:24
Update to Safety and Security page

2023-06-22 10:39
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages

2023-01-16 09:51
Removal of outdated information including on World Cup and COVID-19 rules (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).

2022-10-25 15:29
Updated information on the Qatar World Cup 2022 and upcoming high profile events in Bahrain (‘Summary’ page).

2022-09-26 11:55
Updated Information on previous terrorist incidents in Bahrain (‘ ’Terrorism’ page).

2022-07-12 16:26
Updated information on local laws and customs in Bahrain (‘Local laws and customs’ page)

2022-04-06 10:54
Updated information on COVID-19 self-isolation period, which can now be concluded early with a negative PCR result (‘Coronavirus’, ‘Entry requirements’, ‘Safety and security’ pages)

2022-03-30 16:25
Updated information on the suspension of Bahrain’s COVID-19 Traffic Light Alert System. Mask-wearing is now optional in indoor and outdoor areas. Also updated number of British residents in Bahrain (‘Coronavirus’, ‘Entry requirements’, ‘Safety and security’ pages)

2022-02-20 07:32
Updated information on the removal of all PCR testing requirements for arrivals via the King Fahd Causeway (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ page)

2022-02-18 22:07
Updated information on the removal of all PCR testing and quarantine requirements for airport arrivals regardless of their vaccination status, and update to information regarding booster vaccines in-country (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ page)