Requirements for entry into North Korea (DPRK

• According to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), all trips to the DPRK must be organized through official travel agencies — independent movement within the country is extremely limited, and tourists are almost always accompanied by an official guide.
• The security situation on the Korean Peninsula remains unstable: FDFA advice highlights the risk due to military maneuvers and weapons testing
• At the border, strict checks of luggage and documents, especially technical devices and materials containing photos or text, which may be considered sensitive by the authorities, are possible.

• Passport: A valid foreign passport is required. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the planned date of entry.
• Visa / Entry Permit: A visa is required for most foreign tourists; it is issued through an agency. When applying through an agency, a travel itinerary confirmed by the agent is usually required, as well as an invitation or confirmation of the tour from the DPRK tourist bureau.
• Medical Insurance. Insurance with medical coverage is required when entering from many countries, and ideally, should include evacuation. Such insurance can be arranged on our website in the “Insurance” section.
• Sufficient Financial Means. Tourists may need to provide proof of sufficient funds. Foreigners must have “sufficient financial means” for their stay.
  

For citizens of Germany and EU countries, a visa is usually required. A tourist visa is often issued as a separate “tourist card” (rather than a sticker in the passport). It is very important to work in advance with an agency that will coordinate your route with the North Korean authorities—without this, entry may be impossible.

The most important information about visas in the DPRK is provided in the section “Visas”.

To enter North Korea, a vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required, if you are arriving from a country where there is a risk of infection. There are no strict mandatory vaccinations for tourists in official sources, however, the Swiss Foreign Ministry warns that medical infrastructure in the DPRK is limited, so it is recommended to have medical insurance covering possible treatment.

It is important for tourists to bring necessary medicines and a basic supply of medications, as access to certain drugs within the country may be difficult. At the same time, prescription and specific medicines must have accompanying documents and prescriptions.

Electronic devices

• When importing laptops, tablets, smartphones, photo and video cameras, be prepared for content inspection. Authorities may view files, photos, videos, documents, and media on devices. The authorities also have the right to confiscate the device or deny entry through the border.

• Before traveling, it is recommended to delete materials that may be considered as criticism of the regime or politically sensitive. If such data is found, the device may be temporarily confiscated, and the owner may be subject to additional scrutiny.

• Inspection of flash drives, external hard drives, and removable memory cards is also possible. All data carriers must be declared upon entry.
  

Media and printed materials

• The import of books, magazines, photographs, posters or other materials with political, religious, or historical content is strictly controlled.

• Even tourist guides criticizing the government or texts about the modern political system may raise questions at border and customs services.

• For safety, it is important to follow the instructions of the official guide and not to show materials to third parties during the trip. 

Weapons and dangerous items

• The import of weapons, ammunition, explosives, explosive devices, gas canisters, and cold weapons is strictly prohibited without special permission from the DPRK authorities.

• Official permission is also required for hunting weapons, which is extremely difficult to obtain.

• The import of substandard chemical substances, pyrotechnics, aerosol cans, and other potentially dangerous items is similarly prohibited.

Personal belongings and souvenirs

• Personal belongings (clothing, cosmetics, souvenirs) are usually allowed to be imported in reasonable quantities but may be inspected.

• Some food and beverages are prohibited from import without special coordination. It is recommended to check with the tour operator for a list of allowed items.

Export from the country

• The export of antiques, art objects, items of historical or cultural value is strictly limited and requires official permission.

• It is also prohibited to export materials containing information about the country, photographs of public buildings, military equipment or strategic objects.

• Tourists may freely export personal belongings and souvenirs purchased as part of the tour, if they have been declared and approved by the agency.

Tips for tourists

• Always declare all electronic devices and information carriers upon entry.

• Follow the instructions of the accompanying guide, especially when using cameras and phones.

• Do not attempt to independently import prohibited items — violating the rules can lead to detention or fines.

• According to official data, North Korea does not have an active diplomatic mission in Germany (or information is severely limited), which complicates direct interaction.
• German representation in DPRK (embassy) — status is extremely limited or not fully operational, which may affect consular support for tourists.