Turkmenistan

Recommended Vaccinations For Turkmenistan

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who will live in Turkmenistan for more than 3 months.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Turkmenistan

There are no recommendations for Turkmenistan at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Turkmenistan

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a high risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Turkmenistan through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

There is a high risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Turkmenistan.

For Some Travellers

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Turkmenistan are at significant risk for tuberculosis, including multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, if visiting friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis occurs in this country.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Turkmenistan, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Turkmenistan

Personal Safety

Turkmenistan maintains low crime rates compared to many countries, with violent crime remaining rare. Petty crimes like pickpocketing, mugging and theft do occur, particularly in crowded areas such as markets, train stations and overnight trains. Police presence is significant in major cities, with frequent identity checks. You must carry your original passport at all times, as authorities conduct routine document inspections at checkpoints throughout the country. Police checkpoints on major roads require vehicles to stop and register. Some reports suggest police corruption exists, including arbitrary fines at checkpoints, harassment, extortion and even drug planting. If stopped, empty your pockets yourself rather than allowing police to search them. Unofficial taxis present robbery risks. An 11pm curfew operates in Ashgabat, restricting movement after that hour. Northeastern and eastern areas of Ashgabat become hotspots for violent crime and drug activity after dark. Police may place foreigners under surveillance, and hotel rooms, communications and personal possessions may be monitored or searched. Photography restrictions apply to military installations, government buildings, airports, police stations and food markets. Comments critical of the political system or traditions can result in prosecution. VPNs are illegal. The country sits in an active seismic zone with regular tremors and occasional strong earthquakes.

Extreme Violence

Turkmenistan has no recent history of terrorist attacks, though attacks cannot be ruled out. The government maintains close surveillance on the population and borders. There were no terrorist incidents reported in 2023. Central Asia has faced renewed terrorism threats due to political upheavals in neighboring Afghanistan. The border between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan serves as a transit point for drugs and smuggled goods, with the security situation in Afghanistan remaining extremely unpredictable. Reports from 2017 suggested suspected militants crossed from Afghanistan into Turkmenistan, though enforcement and security remain tight in these border areas. The government actively cooperates with international organizations on counterterrorism, including the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, OSCE, and participates in regional security frameworks. Turkmenistan implements counterterrorism measures through multiple state agencies including the Presidential Security Service, State Border Service, State Customs Service and Ministries of National Security, Internal Affairs and Defense.

Political Unrest

Turkmenistan operates as an extremely repressive authoritarian state where protests and demonstrations are strictly forbidden and suppressed harshly. Public expressions of discontent are prohibited and can lead to arrests, detentions or prison sentences. Despite these risks, small protests over food shortages and economic hardship have occurred sporadically since 2020. In May 2020, approximately 1,000 people gathered in the Zhelezhnodoroga district of Turkmenbat, representing the largest rally against the government since independence in 1991. Small protests in Mary Province in April 2020 involved women blocking roads and marching to provincial administration buildings to complain about flour and cooking oil shortages. Authorities responded with a combination of concessions and police intimidation. Security forces briefly detained and questioned protesters. In 2023 and 2024, prolonged lack of subsidized food staples led to sporadic protests in Dashoguz province and Turkmenbashi, with some turning violent. The government responds to complaints about food shortages with fines and interrogations. Curfews may be imposed and areas cordoned off on short notice, with curfew violations resulting in immediate deportation and five-year bans from returning. Authorities prohibit unregistered nongovernmental organization activity. Independent activists face constant threats of government reprisals, as do family members of activists living abroad. No independent local organizations can operate openly. Transnational repression occurs, with activists deported from Turkey and detained upon return to Turkmenistan.

Areas To Avoid

The border region with Afghanistan within 5km presents the highest danger due to ongoing conflicts, terrorism risks and drug smuggling. Access to areas near the Afghanistan and Iran borders is tightly restricted. Border crossings can close without notice. Northeastern and eastern areas of Ashgabat, particularly after sunset, are hotspots for violent crime and drug activity. Walking alone in these areas after dark is strongly discouraged. Several zones have been declared restricted areas by the government, closed to foreigners without permission from the State Migration Service. These include regions bordering Afghanistan, Iran and Uzbekistan, plus the Dashoguz region including Dashoguz city. Road travel between regions can be restricted at short notice. The Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan border is currently closed to traffic. Designated restricted zones require government permits, with processing times of 10 working days. Turkmenistan Airlines will not sell tickets to travelers intending to visit restricted zones without verification or permission from authorities. Remote areas present banditry risks. Travel by train is slow with prevalent crime, making it inadvisable.