Foreign Office Warns Against Travel to 55 Countries — Why Ignoring 'Don't Travel' Advice Could Leave You Uninsured Abroad

UK holidaymakers planning trips in 2026 are being urged to check official travel advice carefully after the Foreign Office confirmed it is warning against travel to 55 countries and territories worldwide.

While many travellers focus on safety concerns, officials say a lesser-known consequence could prove just as costly: ignoring 'don't travel' advice may invalidate travel insurance, leaving people without cover if something goes wrong overseas.

The warning comes as bookings rise for long-haul and adventure destinations, with officials stressing that travelling against advice could expose Britons to serious financial and personal risk.

What 'Don't Travel' Advice Actually Means

According to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's official travel advice guidance on GOV.UK, the Foreign Office issues travel guidance to help UK nationals assess whether it is safe enough to visit a destination.

Advice ranges from cautionary updates to formal warnings advising against 'all travel' or 'all but essential travel.'

Officials emphasise that no foreign travel can ever be guaranteed safe. A 'don't travel' warning is issued only when the risk to British nationals is considered unacceptably high and can apply to an entire country or to specific regions within it.

Why Travel Insurance Could Be Invalidated

One of the most significant implications of ignoring Foreign Office guidance is the potential loss of insurance cover.

As reported by Mirror, the Foreign Office warns that travelling against 'don't travel' advice can result in holiday insurance being voided, leaving travellers responsible for medical bills, evacuation costs and cancellations.

The department states that travel insurance could be invalidated if travellers go against official advice.

In practical terms, this means policies may not cover medical treatment, emergency evacuation, repatriation or compensation for cancellations and disruptions.

Limited Consular Support in High-Risk Destinations

Officials also caution that consular assistance may be limited or unavailable in destinations subject to 'don't travel' warnings. In volatile environments, access to UK embassy staff can be restricted and evacuation options may be severely limited.

Countries Where the Foreign Office Advises Against All Travel

The Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to the following countries:

1. Afghanistan
2. Belarus
3. Burkina Faso
4. Haiti
5. Iran
6. Mali
7. Niger
8. Russia
9. South Sudan
10. Syria
11. Yemen

Countries Where the Foreign Office Advises Against Travel to Parts

Travel is advised against in specific regions of the following destinations:

12. Algeria
13.Armenia
14. Azerbaijan
15. Benin
16. Burundi
17. Cambodia
18. Cameroon
19. Central African Republic
20. Chad
21. Congo
22. Côte d'Ivoire
23. Democratic Republic of the Congo
24. Djibouti
25. Egypt
26. Eritrea
27. Ethiopia
28. Georgia
29. India
30. Indonesia
31. Iraq
32. Israel
33. Jordan
34. Kenya
35. Lebanon
36. Libya
37. Mauritania
38. Moldova
39. Mozambique
40. Myanmar (Burma)
41. Nigeria
42. Pakistan
43. Philippines
44. Saudi Arabia
45. Somalia
46. Sudan
47. Palestine
48. Thailand
49. Togo
50. Tunisia
51. Turkey
52. Ukraine
53. Venezuela
54. Western Sahara

These restrictions typically apply to border areas, conflict zones or regions affected by instability, terrorism or environmental hazards.

Country Under 'All But Essential Travel' Advice

The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to:

55. North Korea

Officials state that whether travel is considered essential depends on individual circumstances, including urgent family or business needs.

How Travellers Can Stay Informed

Travellers are advised to check the 'Warnings and insurance' section of each country's travel advice page before booking and again before departure. Email alerts are available to notify travellers of changes.

The Foreign Office stresses that while the final decision to travel rests with the individual, ignoring 'don't travel' advice could have serious consequences for safety, insurance coverage and access to help abroad.