Traveler Toolkit
Armenia Country Security Report
Armenia Country Security Report
Published: June 24, 2026
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Armenia Travel Advisory and Armenia Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
1 American Ave., Yerevan
Tel: +374 (10) 46-47-00; After-Hours Emergencies: +374 (10) 49-44-44
Hours: 0900 – 1800, Monday – Friday.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
Armenia has an active OSAC Country Chapter.
Contact OSAC’s Europe team with any questions.
Armenia Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution in Armenia due to areas of armed conflict. Do not travel to the border region with Azerbaijan. There is the potential for armed conflict near the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Exercise caution on roads near Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan and be aware that some portions of the road may cross international boundaries without notice. Roads may be controlled by checkpoints or closed to travelers without notice. The U.S. embassy has prohibited embassy employees and their families from non-essential travel to parts of the border region.
Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Yerevan as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Armenia.
The emergency lines in Armenia is 102 and 112. The police operations center line is 911 and can dispatch the appropriate emergency service needed.
Review the U.S. Department of State’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.
Crime: General Threat
Armenia is generally safe and relatively free of random acts of violent crime. The overall crime rate throughout the country is lower than those of the United States and many Western European countries. Overall crime decreased about 3% from 2024 to 2025, with the majority of crimes (82%) classified as minor; this includes theft, the possession or sale of narcotics, and fraud. Cybercrime rose 8% in 2025, and organized crime, including trafficking firearms, rose roughly 25%. Armenia’s homicide rate is 2.2 per 100,000, with 82 murders recorded in 2025.
Crimes committed against U.S. nationals remain relatively infrequent; most involve petty theft (e.g., pickpocketing and vehicle break-ins to steal objects left in plain sight). Violent crimes do occur, though the U.S. Embassy does not receive many reports of such crimes involving U.S. nationals. Vehicle break-ins and theft are rare but are the most common crimes. Although organized crime does exist, it is not a significant threat to U.S. nationals or interests.
Crime: Areas of Concern
There are no specific areas that are off limits for U.S. government personnel in Armenia due to criminality.
Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, Taking Credit, and Our Two Cents: Petty Crime Basics and How to Minimize the Risk.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Armenia.
The most recent case of kidnapping for ransom of an American citizen was in 2024. The Armenian police were quick and effective in their reaction. It is the only reported case involving a foreign national since 2014. Though rare, when criminally oriented kidnappings take place, they usually only last for a short duration.
Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Yerevan as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Armenia.
While there is a heightened risk of terrorism in Europe, there is no recent history of terrorism in Armenia. Attacks cannot be ruled out, and travelers should be vigilant. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, they target unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as high-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, etc.); hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists; places of worship; schools; parks; shopping malls and markets; and public transportation systems including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Yerevan as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Armenia. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Following the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in November 2023, protests against the loss of the land and the proceeding border delimitation discussions brought people to the streets. The government and security forces responded in an effective manner that allowed for peaceful protests to continue with a minimal number of direct confrontations between police and protestors.
Elections are currently scheduled for June of 2026. Times around elections are known to lead to increased protest activity.
Protests & Demonstrations
Armenia has an active and vibrant political culture that has traditionally expressed itself through protests. While Armenia's constitution guarantees the right to free assembly, organized protesters are required to receive permission from the respective municipality in advance of a gathering or march. Demonstrations may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events.
Protests typically take place in downtown Yerevan, in the area between the government buildings at Republic Square and Liberty Square, as well as Parliament and the President's residence/office on Baghramian street. At times, protesters have acted violently, including using force against at police officers. Police have also used disproportionate force in dispersing and detaining protesters. The announcement of a peace deal on March 8, 2025, which formally recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijani territory, sparked protests by over 10,000 people in Yerevan. Tensions peaked in June when the authorities arrested an Archbishop and 14 other members of the clergy, accusing them of a coup attempt. In September, thousands gathered in Yerevan to call for the release of these members of the clergy, but this demonstration and following protests remained peaceful.
Protests also occur outside the capital, most often in the country’s second and third cities, Gyumri and Vanadzor, and typically in protest of government policies or actions. Smaller protests, usually around economic issues, take place around the country, with local residents typically blocking major roads to garner attention. In past years, small groups of protesters have blocked the entry to an internationally owned gold mine, and to local police stations and government offices. These standoffs typically resolve themselves through the direct negotiation of a government official or when protestors disperse for the evening.
Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Armenians are generally friendly and welcoming to U.S. citizens.
Law Enforcement
The national police force is spread throughout the country’s ten districts. It maintains public order and responds to and investigates general crimes. The newly formed Patrol Police are the street police that respond to all immediate emergency calls. They are responsible for patrolling and all traffic incidents.
The National Security Service (NSS) is the government’s domestic security as well as domestic and international intelligence agency. In its law enforcement role, the NSS functions in a manner analogous to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Most local private security companies provide little professional training and pay their staffs low salaries.
Police Response
Armenian police departments lack a Western-style patrol mindset. They respond to crimes or accidents once reported, rather than trying to prevent them or maintaining a continuous presence throughout the geographic area of responsibility. As a result, response times are longer than in the United States or Western Europe. Armenia’s government has made police reform a major government priority, with the aim of establishing citizen-friendly law enforcement that responds quickly and effectively to crimes or accidents. This will include the establishment of a modern patrol police based on Western models.
Law enforcement officials often lack the sensitivity training required to investigate crimes such as domestic violence and rape. Many law enforcement officers do not speak English, although a special division of police who patrol downtown on foot do speak English.
Armed Conflict
Past military action has occurred near the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and there is potential for armed conflict in the area. U.S. citizens should avoid the area. Exercise caution on roads near Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan. Some parts of the road may cross international borders without warning. Checkpoints may control roads or authorities may close them to travelers without notice. The U.S. embassy does not allow embassy employees and their families to travel for non-essential reasons to the border region, as well as other areas of Armenia listed in this Travel Advisory.
Transportation Security
Road Safety
While main roads, highways, and portions of the immediate Yerevan city center have seen great recent improvement in their roadways, work remains to be done in more rural areas. Damage to tires and suspensions, along with wheel alignment issues, commonly result from poor road maintenance. Most roads do not have shoulders. Authorities do not repaint road markings on a regular basis, and markings may not be visible. In many places, especially outside cities, street lighting is nonexistent, not maintained, or turned off. Street signs outside Yerevan are not plentiful. Authorities only remove snow from major thoroughfares.
Traffic is heavy in Yerevan. For the past few decades, the increase in the availability of cars has outpaced the expansion of the road system. Left turns are very difficult to make; they are either not allowed or traffic lights are poorly timed, forcing drivers to run red lights to make a turn. Instead of left turns, many drivers perform U-turns—without the aid of traffic lights—at designated yet unintuitive points on roads, increasing the chance of collision.
Many local drivers are aggressive, distracted, poorly trained, or a combination of the three. Even where lane markings exist, drivers often do not heed them. Cell phone use while driving is commonplace. Drivers will often abruptly switch lanes without warning to avoid potholes or open manholes. Due to a lack of shoulders, drivers also park or idle their vehicles in traffic lanes, forcing other drivers to change lanes quickly —often into the lane of opposing traffic—at the last moment. Buses and taxis routinely stop in traffic lanes and change lanes without warning. Defensive driving is essential; watch out for drunk drivers. When accidents do occur, local law requires vehicles to stay in place, even if they are in the middle of the road. The driver and passengers should move to a safe place and wait for the insurance company representative and Patrol Police officers to arrive.
Pedestrians should be vigilant when crossing major thoroughfares. In Yerevan as well as in the countryside, pedestrians routinely cross streets – even major thoroughfares – at undesignated points or against the light, increasing the risk of accidents; the risk of striking a pedestrian increases at night and in bad weather. Even when pedestrians cross the street at designated points with the right of way, drivers frequently do not stop for them if there is not a stoplight associated with the crossing. Light-controlled crossings typically provide pedestrians with a minimum time necessary to cross the street.
Driver’s licenses from the United States are not valid for driving in Armenia. For more information on obtaining an Armenia’s driver’s license, visit the Armenian government website.
Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.
Public Transportation Safety
Marshrutka Vans: The most common form of public transportation in Armenia is the small, often owner-operated minibus or marshrutka van. The Embassy prohibits travelers from using marshrutkas, which frequently are overcrowded and lack proper maintenance. The vehicles generally lack seatbelts and other safety equipment, drivers often have only basic driving skills, and the threat posed by petty theft is high.
Taxis and Rideshares: While taxi use is prevalent in Yerevan due to ubiquity and low cost, most lack seat belts and other safety features. To reduce the chances for overcharging or other crime, find taxis through online apps (two of the most widely used are GG and Yandex) which allow for pre-paid fares or by calling reputable taxi companies. When hailing a taxi on the street, negotiate the price in advance. Most taxi drivers do not speak English and will not provide small change or accept credit cards.
Car Rentals and Hired Drivers: Car rental companies like those found in Western Europe or the United States are available, though when available, the vehicles are often very expensive. For travel outside Yerevan, it often is more economical to hire a car and driver. Due to the poor condition of roads outside Yerevan, consider sturdy vehicles (four-wheel drive preferable) when traveling through the countryside or between major cities.
Train Service: There is a regional train from Yerevan to Tbilisi. If traveling by train, reserve a private compartment that you can lock.
Aviation Concerns
Armenia has two international airports: Zvartnots (EVN) in Yerevan and Shirak (LWN) in Gyumri. Zvartnots, a modern facility with good infrastructure, handles most commercial flights. Shirak mostly flies to small airports in Russia. Most international flights to and from Europe or the United States depart and arrive in the early hours of the morning.
There are no direct flights from Yerevan to Azerbaijan. The frequency of flights between Yerevan and other European destinations differs by season. Flights to Moscow occur daily, while flights to Vienna, Warsaw, Paris, Kyiv, Bucharest, Athens, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai each occur 2-5 times weekly.
U.S. Embassy staff utilizes local Armenian airlines. As of May 2026, the list of air carriers certified in Armenia, but banned from operating in Europe includes the following entities: Air Dilijans, Armenia Airways, Armenian Helicopters, Fly Arna, Novair, Shirak Avia, and Skyball.
As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Armenia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Armenia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards.
Review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.
Maritime Security
Armenia is a landlocked country.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Armenia, review the local laws and circumstances on the U.S. Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Armenia.
Armenia has a legacy of systemic corruption in many areas, including construction, mining, public administration, parliament, the judiciary, procurement practices, and provision of state assistance. There have been allegations of embezzlement of state funds and involvement of government officials in questionable business activities. The state run Anti-Corruption Committee is diligent in countering such issues when properly highlighted, but the governmental resources are overmatched by the occurrences of public/private corruption.
The constitution and law prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention and provided for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of their arrest or detention in court. If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.
Health Concerns
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Health “H” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Armenia. Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) country-specific Travel Health Notices for current health issues that impact traveler health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters
The medical emergency line in Armenia is 103. Outside major cities, medical care is limited, and emergency services may be slow to respond to calls for assistance. Although basic medical supplies (e.g., disposable needles, anesthetics, standard antibiotics) are generally available, advanced medical care is not available outside Yerevan. Individuals with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities and services. Emergency medical responses to traumatic accidents or injuries may arrive too late to provide necessary lifesaving treatment.
Brucellosis: Brucellosis exists through out Armenia and individuals are advised to avoid consuming unpasteurized dairy products and raw or undercooked meat.
Ambulances: Ambulance services are not widely available, and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. Ambulance services are also not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment. Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.
Payment for Health Services: Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services on a “pay as you go” system, and often will not release persons from the hospitals without payment in full. Patients must arrange food delivery services separately.
Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on health insurance overseas.
See OSAC’s Guide to U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuations; review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad; and visit the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on Your Health Abroad for more information.
Vaccinations
Remain up to date on immunizations, including vaccines for measles and hepatitis A and B. The CDC recommends receiving a tetanus/diphtheria booster every five years. Carry a copy of your immunization records.
Rabies: Armenia is home to numerous, sometimes aggressive, stray animals, particularly dogs and cats. Do not feed or pet stray animals. If bitten, contact Nairi Medical Center. Pre-exposure rabies vaccine is recommended only for those subject to occupational exposure. Even those already immunized should seek post-exposure prophylaxis due to the large number of feral animals and the inability of the local health system to provide immunizations.
Review the CDC Travelers’ Health site for country-specific vaccine recommendations.
Issues Traveling with Medications
Pharmacies are plentiful throughout Armenia. However, name brands and familiar brands of medication may not be. In case of emergency, language barriers may also arise between pharmacists and non-Armenian speakers. Bring essential prescribed medication with you when traveling. Travelers with legal, prescribed medications have not encountered issues at the airport.
Always carry your prescription in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Armenia Ministry of Health or The National Institute of Health to ensure the medication is legal in Armenia.
Review OSAC’s report, Traveling with Medication.
Water Quality
The quality of water based on Soviet-era pipes is a larger issue in the region, and the Embassy recommends the use of water filtration systems.
Review OSAC’s report, I’m Drinking What in My Water?
Natural Disasters
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Natural Disaster “N” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Armenia.
Earthquakes and Landslides: Armenia is in a zone of high seismic risk and prone to earthquakes and landslides. The most recent catastrophic earthquake was the 1988 Spitak earthquake. Small tremors occur periodically; the risk of catastrophic earthquakes exists.
Wildfires: Due to the arid climate and areas of dried bush, fire poses a risk in the summer season. Fire codes are not up to western standards.
Review OSAC’s report, Earthquake Preparedness Toolkit.
Cybersecurity
U.S. citizens have no reasonable expectation of privacy in Armenia. Telephone and electronic communications are subject to surveillance at any time and without advisory, which may compromise sensitive information.
Practice good cyber security, to include the use of VPNs and using passwords to lock and unlock your electronic devices. Best practices prior to traveling abroad are keeping all software (operating system and apps) updated and encrypted voice over IP (VoIP) applications if possible. Make sure that all VPN/VoIP are reputable, and U.S. based. Do not connect to unknown open Wi-Fi. Be cautious of using dating apps/online dating websites abroad as U.S. citizens can be targeted by scammers.
Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling Abroad with Mobile Devices, and Guide for Overseas Satellite Phone Usage.
Counterintelligence Issues
The Russian government plays an outsized role in Armenia. Do not take any proprietary information into the country that would be detrimental to lose or share.
U.S. citizens may be detained by Armenian authorities upon entry or exit based on Russia law enforcement or security service information. Former and current U.S. government and military personnel with prior travel to Russia may face increased scrutiny.
Import/Export Restrictions
Armenia prohibits, except in authorized cases, the import of pharmaceutical products, medicines, certain chemicals, weapons and components thereof, explosives, nuclear materials, poisons, drugs, psychotropic substances, and pornography. There are no restrictions on the import or use of satellite phones in the country. Even marginal quantities of narcotic substances, including but not limited to THC, will result in the arrest of the holder with often stringent jail sentences.
The export of items of historical value, such as paintings, carpets, and old books, requires advanced authorization from the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports.
Engaging in any commercial activities in Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding territories, whether directly or through business subsidiaries, can result in criminal prosecution and/or other legal action being taken by the Azerbaijani government against individuals and/or businesses, and might make a traveler ineligible to visit Azerbaijan in the future.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.