Rules for overlanding in Somalia
Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 16 September 2026.
Which licence you need
- All vehicles — The ministry's country sheet does not state the licence requirements for Somalia. Check with the authorities of Somalia before you travel.
An International Driving Permit states the categories it covers: check yours covers what you will actually drive. A car licence does not cover a motorcycle, and a heavy camper or a truck can need a higher category.
At the wheel
- Limit every journey — Keep movements down to those that are strictly necessary and stay away from any gathering. The security situation is highly volatile and can deteriorate quickly, so keep your attention on it throughout.
- Have your route checked — Have the route you intend to take assessed in advance and notify it to your embassy before setting off. Tell only the people who strictly need to know where you are going.
- Areas you cannot cross — Transit through the parts of south-central Somalia held by Al-Shabaab is advised against for any reason. The Shabelle and Juba valleys are among the positions the group holds.
- No road information published — The ministry's card carries nothing at all on licences, insurance or road rules for Somalia, and describes internal travel only in terms of flights operated by local airlines. Treat every overland detail as something to verify on the ground before you commit to it.
What catches travellers out
- No alcohol — Bringing alcoholic drinks into the country is prohibited, and so are narcotics.
- Cash limit — The Somali authorities allow you to hold foreign currency, US dollars or euro, up to a total of no more than 10,000 USD.
- Visa before travel — An entry visa is compulsory. Since 1 September 2025 it is issued through an electronic travel authorisation system on the government's eVisa platform.
- Dress — Dress in keeping with local customs and usage.
Before you rely on this
This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 16 September 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Somalia before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.
Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 16 September 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.