Aserbaidschan: was man vor der Reise wissen sollte
Das Wichtigste
- Land borders stay closed for normal entry (special quarantine regime extended to 2 Jan 2027) — arrive by air. Only the Baku–Tbilisi train resumed in May 2026; confirm eligibility first.
- Register with the State Migration Service if staying over 15 days (hotels usually do it; apartments — you must). Unregistered stays are fined on exit.
- Visiting Karabakh/Khankendi without Azerbaijani permission can get you refused entry; people of Armenian origin are generally not admitted.
- Most Western and Indian visitors need an ASAN e-Visa (apply 3+ days ahead, print it); CIS, Turkish, Chinese and UAE citizens are visa-free.
- Exporting carpets, antiques or art needs an export certificate.
Einreise und Visa
CIS citizens (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine) are visa-free; Turkey (since 2019), UAE (2023) and China (since 20 Jul 2025) too. US, UK, EU and Indian citizens need an ASAN e-Visa: single entry, 30-day stay within 90 days validity, standard up to 3 working days, urgent within 3 hours. Entry is effectively by air only.
Online-Einreiseformulare und Genehmigungen
- ASAN Visa (e-Visa) ↗ Pflicht
At least 3 working days before arrival (urgent option: 3 hours) · Gebühr: USD 20 state fee + service fee; urgent ≈ USD 50 + fee · Nationalities that are not visa-free (e.g. US, UK, EU, India) - Migration registration ↗ freiwillig
Within 15 days of arrival if staying longer than 15 days · Visitors staying over 15 days not registered by a hotel
Gültigkeit des Reisepasses: At least 6 months after arrival recommended, with 2 blank pages; e-Visa needs passport valid 3 months beyond visa expiry.
An der Grenze kann verlangt werden
- Print your e-Visa and show it with your passport.
- Hotels normally register you; get confirmation for stays over 15 days.
- Extensions: apply to the State Migration Service at least 3 days before your stay ends; overstay fine 300–400 AZN.
Zoll
- Carpets, antiques and art need an export certificate — buy from shops that provide it.
- Declare anything prohibited or dutiable; strict rules.
- A local SIM used beyond 30 days must be registered (fee).
Geprüft am 29. Oktober 2026 · Quellen: gov.uk ↗, evisa.gov.az ↗, thehague.mfa.gov.az ↗, azertag.az ↗, eurasianet.org ↗
Geld
Bargeld und Karten sind beide üblich. Karten vor allem in Städten und Touristenorten.
Zahlungsnetze: Visa, Mastercard
Apple Pay — funktioniert · Google Pay — funktioniert
Wo man gut wechselt
- Bank branches and exchange offices in central Baku
- Clean USD, EUR or RUB notes
Wo man besser nicht wechselt
- Airport exchange (small sums only)
- Dynamic currency conversion at ATMs/terminals
Geldautomaten: ATMs widespread in Baku and regional centres; local banks may charge foreign cards a fee — check the screen and choose AZN.
Trinkgeld: Around 10% in restaurants unless a service charge is already added; round up taxis.
- Russian Mir cards: accepted only at VTB Azerbaijan (mostly Baku) — don't rely on them.
- Carry cash outside Baku and at bazaars.
Geprüft am 29. Oktober 2026 · Quellen: cbar.az ↗, tourdom.ru ↗
Regeln und Verbote
Verboten
- Entering Karabakh or nearby areas without authorisation
- Any drugs; penalties are severe
- Photographing military, government or oil infrastructure
- Exporting carpets/antiques without a certificate
- Visitors without Azerbaijani temporary or permanent residence may not import drones; customs confiscates them until departure.
Gesetze, gegen die Reisende unwissentlich verstoßen
- Register stays over 15 days.
- Avoid political protests and public criticism of the authorities.
- Drink-driving: zero tolerance.
Kultur und Kleidung
Religion: Mostly Shia Muslim but strongly secular; alcohol is widely available in Baku.
Kleidung: Modern and smart in Baku. Cover shoulders and knees in mosques (women cover hair); dress more conservatively in rural areas.
Umgangsformen
- Avoid discussing Armenia and Karabakh casually — very sensitive.
- Tea is offered everywhere; accepting is polite.
- Remove shoes in homes and mosques.
- Ask permission before photographing people.
Geprüft am 29. Oktober 2026 · Quellen: gov.uk ↗
Klima
Baku is semi-arid and famously windy: hot dry summers, mild winters. The Caucasus foothills (Sheki, Gabala, Quba) are greener and cooler; mountains get snow.
Monat für Monat
- Januar: Jan: Baku ~2–7°C, windy
- Februar: Feb: cool, windy
- März: Mar: mild; Novruz festival (around 20–21 Mar)
- April: Apr: pleasant, ~10–18°C
- Mai: May: warm, ideal
- Juni: Jun: hot, beach season starts
- Juli: Jul: hot, ~30–35°C
- August: Aug: hot and dry
- September: Sep: warm, pleasant
- Oktober: Oct: mild, good for touring
- November: Nov: cool, rainier
- Dezember: Dec: cool, windy; skiing at Shahdag
Beste Reisezeit: April–June and September–October.
Geprüft am 29. Oktober 2026 · Quellen: en.wikipedia.org ↗
Was einpacken
- Printed e-Visa
- Windproof jacket for Baku
- Modest clothes for mosques and villages
- USD/EUR cash
- Hotel booking details for registration
Nicht mitnehmen / Einfuhr verboten
- Maps or souvenirs showing Karabakh as part of Armenia
- Drones without permission
Praktisches
Steckdosen: Type C/F, 220 V, 50 Hz
Wasser: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
Verkehr: Rechtsverkehr
Mobilfunk und eSIM: Azercell, Bakcell and Nar SIMs with a passport; register the phone if staying over 30 days.
Apps: Bolt, Uber, Wolt, Google Maps, Yandex Maps
Internet: Some independent news sites and VPN services are blocked.
Gesundheit: No compulsory vaccinations; routine vaccines and hepatitis A advised.
Versicherung: Not required for entry; travel medical insurance recommended.
Notruf: 112 — emergency; 102 police, 103 ambulance
Geprüft am 29. Oktober 2026 · Quellen: gov.uk ↗, travelhealthpro.org.uk ↗
Einreiseregeln ändern sich. Prüfen Sie vor der Reise die Website der Botschaft oder Einwanderungsbehörde des Landes.