Bahrain Country Report

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an Arab island nation located in the Persian Gulf. Saudi Arabia lies to the west of the country, connected by the King Fahd Causeway. Qatar lies to the southeast across the Gulf of Bahrain. A constitutional monarchy, Bahrain has an underdeveloped democratic process and is ruled by the al-Khalifa royal family. The Sunni-dominated ruling system has raised sectarian tensions among the Shi'a majority, but little has been done to appease the grievances of the latter. These tensions peaked in early 2011 with the start of an anti-government protest movement. Anti-government protests have been a persistent issue since the 2011 uprising, which stemmed from the longstanding perception among members of the Shi'a majority that they are politically and economically marginalized. In certain instances, radicalized elements of the opposition movement have targeted police and security checkpoints with Molotov cocktails or crude explosive devices.

The government actively promotes foreign investment by allowing 100 percent foreign ownership and control of company assets, as well as by enforcing no personal, corporate, or withholding taxes. Corruption is present but the government claims to be prioritizing anti-corruption measures. Violent crime is rare and the primary threats to foreign travelers are from road traffic accidents and petty criminal activity. High summer temperatures can be a source of discomfort and potentially pose a threat to health. Bahrain has a well-developed transport and communications infrastructure that aids commercial operations.

Bahrain normalized relations with Israel following the signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020. Travel, security, and economic ties between Manama and Tel Aviv are expected to increase.

Anti-government protests take place regularly, primarily in Shi'a villages outside of the capital, Manama. Demonstrations can escalate quickly into violence, although foreign nationals are not directly targeted. Low-level militancy is a concern. Small-scale bombings are typically attributed to Shi'a militant groups that have radicalized amid a protracted anti-government movement. Most incidents target security forces and occur in Shia villages outside Manama. There is a small risk of petty thievery, including pick-pocketing and bag-snatching; common-sense precautions should be taken.

There are no particular concerns over air travel.

The quality of roads and highways is very good, although driving habits can be erratic. Manama suffers from high levels of traffic congestion.

The ports are efficient, particularly Khalifa Bin Salman Port which is on par with global port standards.

Utilities are generally considered good, although more rural areas in the south might experience less reliable connectivity.

Cyberattacks are a growing concern. A spate of cyberattacks targeted government departments and critical infrastructure sites in 2019 amid elevated tensions with Iran. Bahrain has strong information technology practices in the banking sector to guard against attempts to hack into systems.

Summer temperatures can be dangerously high, and physical activities during peak heat hours may lead to health issues. Bahrain suffers from poor air quality. There is no particular risk of earthquakes in Bahrain, although the country can experience tremors from large earthquakes felt in neighboring Iran. The sandstorm season (April to October) can have a significant impact on travel, reducing visibility for road travel and potentially even grounding flights. Flooding can occur during the rainy season (December to February).

The country does not face any outstanding health risks. Travelers' diarrhea is the most common ailment among travelers to Bahrain. There have been rare cases of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Vaccines before travel are also required, for example, for yellow fever. Medical care in Bahrain is generally of excellent quality. Tap water is considered safe for drinking unless otherwise specified.

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy. Corruption is present, and instances of bribery and abuse of office do occur. Bahrain has a well-trained and professional national police force. Ongoing anti-government protests by the Shi'a opposition have led to instability in predominantly Shi'a enclaves outside of central Manama, and police are known to use heavy-handed tactics against protesters. Elections usually take place relatively peacefully, though protest activity is expected to increase during this period.