Eritrea
The practical basics before you go: plugs, emergency numbers, money, tipping and the time.
The country in brief
About 3.61 million people live in Eritrea, on 117,600 km². The capital is Asmara.
- Capital
- Asmara
- Population
- 3,607,003
- Area
- 117,600 km²
- Official languages
- English, Arabic, and Tigrinya
Facts change, so check the important things before you travel.
Population: World Bank, 2025 (CC BY 4.0). Capital, area and languages: Wikidata. Facts fetched October 30, 2026.
Before you go
Which plugs are used in Eritrea?
Sockets take plug type C/L, at 230 V and 50 Hz.
What is the emergency number in Eritrea?
Call 113 for the police, 114 for an ambulance and 116 for the fire brigade.
Do you tip in Eritrea?
Round up, or leave small change.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Eritrea?
Traffic drives on the right.
What currency is used in Eritrea?
Prices are in Eritrean Nakfa (ERN).
What language do they speak in Eritrea?
Official languages: English, Arabic, and Tigrinya.
How do I call a number in Eritrea from abroad?
To call a number there from abroad, start with +291.
Entry rules and travel advice
Visa rules depend on your passport and can change at short notice. Your own government keeps them up to date, so check its advice before you book.
Links checked October 30, 2026.
