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Azerbeidzjan: wat je moet weten voor vertrek

Het belangrijkste

  • 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.

Inreis en 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 aankomstformulieren en vergunningen

  • ASAN Visa (e-Visa) ↗ verplicht
    At least 3 working days before arrival (urgent option: 3 hours) · Kosten: USD 20 state fee + service fee; urgent ≈ USD 50 + fee · Nationalities that are not visa-free (e.g. US, UK, EU, India)
  • Migration registration ↗ optioneel
    Within 15 days of arrival if staying longer than 15 days · Visitors staying over 15 days not registered by a hotel

Geldigheid paspoort: At least 6 months after arrival recommended, with 2 blank pages; e-Visa needs passport valid 3 months beyond visa expiry.

Aan de grens kan worden gevraagd naar

  • 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.

Douane

  • 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).

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, evisa.gov.az ↗, thehague.mfa.gov.az ↗, azertag.az ↗, eurasianet.org ↗

Geld

Contant en pinnen zijn allebei gangbaar. Kaarten vooral in steden en toeristische plaatsen.

Betaalnetwerken: Visa, Mastercard

Apple Pay — werkt · Google Pay — werkt

Waar je geld wisselt

  • Bank branches and exchange offices in central Baku
  • Clean USD, EUR or RUB notes

Waar je beter niet wisselt

  • 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.

Fooi: 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.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: cbar.az ↗, tourdom.ru ↗

Regels en verboden

Verboden

  • 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.

Wetten die reizigers onbewust overtreden

  • Register stays over 15 days.
  • Avoid political protests and public criticism of the authorities.
  • Drink-driving: zero tolerance.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Cultuur en kleding

Religie: Mostly Shia Muslim but strongly secular; alcohol is widely available in Baku.

Kleding: Modern and smart in Baku. Cover shoulders and knees in mosques (women cover hair); dress more conservatively in rural areas.

Etiquette

  • 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.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗

Klimaat

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.

Per maand
  • januari: Jan: Baku ~2–7°C, windy
  • februari: Feb: cool, windy
  • maart: Mar: mild; Novruz festival (around 20–21 Mar)
  • april: Apr: pleasant, ~10–18°C
  • mei: May: warm, ideal
  • juni: Jun: hot, beach season starts
  • juli: Jul: hot, ~30–35°C
  • augustus: Aug: hot and dry
  • september: Sep: warm, pleasant
  • oktober: Oct: mild, good for touring
  • november: Nov: cool, rainier
  • december: Dec: cool, windy; skiing at Shahdag

Beste seizoen: April–June and September–October.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: en.wikipedia.org ↗

Wat mee te nemen

  • Printed e-Visa
  • Windproof jacket for Baku
  • Modest clothes for mosques and villages
  • USD/EUR cash
  • Hotel booking details for registration

Niet meenemen / invoer verboden

  • Maps or souvenirs showing Karabakh as part of Armenia
  • Drones without permission

Praktisch

Stopcontacten: Type C/F, 220 V, 50 Hz

Water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.

Verkeer: rechts rijden

Mobiel en 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.

Gezondheid: No compulsory vaccinations; routine vaccines and hepatitis A advised.

Verzekering: Not required for entry; travel medical insurance recommended.

Noodnummers: 112 — emergency; 102 police, 103 ambulance

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, travelhealthpro.org.uk ↗

Inreisregels veranderen. Controleer vóór de reis de website van de ambassade of immigratiedienst van het land.