Cradle of Civilization — Where History Began
The top marginal rate is 15%, applied to taxable income above 1,000,000 IQD. Below that, rates rise progressively from 3% to 5% to 10%.
No broad VAT. Iraq applies targeted sales taxes on specific goods and services (hotels, telecom, cars, travel tickets) and heavy excise on alcohol and tobacco, rather than a general value-added tax.
If you stay in Iraq for four continuous months, or for six months in aggregate during the fiscal year, you are treated as a tax resident. Iraqi-source income is taxable regardless of residency.
Through employer withholding. Your employer deducts tax from your salary and remits it monthly to the General Commission for Taxes, so most employees do not file a separate personal return.
The rules are similar, but the Kurdistan Region administers its own tax system separately. Where you live and work determines which authority handles your assessment and clearance.
Emergency care is generally provided, but public facilities are overstretched and under-resourced. Most expatriates use private hospitals in major cities and carry international health insurance.
Yes. Residence permit applicants undergo a medical examination that includes a mandatory blood test (an HIV/AIDS test is required) as part of the fitness screening.
For complex or specialist care, patients often travel abroad — commonly to Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, India, or Iran. Employers of foreign staff frequently include medical evacuation in their insurance.
No. Tap water is not considered safe to drink anywhere in Iraq. Use bottled or filtered water and be careful with ice and raw produce to avoid waterborne illness.
Local goods, food, fuel, and transport are cheap, but expat-standard housing (often priced in USD), imports, private schooling and healthcare, and backup power add up. Budget carefully around those larger items.
Iraq is cash-first. Card acceptance is growing in supermarkets, malls, hotels, and airline offices but is unreliable elsewhere. Always carry cash — in both dinars and US dollars.
The national grid does not provide 24-hour power in most areas. Nearly every household relies on a private generator or a neighbourhood ampere subscription as backup — factor this into your housing choice and budget.
Erbil in the Kurdistan Region is generally considered the most expat-friendly, with the largest international community, best international schools, and comparatively strong security and amenities, followed by parts of Baghdad.
Very hot. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 45°C and frequently reach 50°C in central and southern Iraq. Reliable cooling and backup power are essential, and outdoor life shifts to early morning and evening.