Useful information

Entry visa
A visa is required for entering Armenia. The Republic of Armenia has agreements on mutual non-visa entry with Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Pursuant to the Governmental Decree of the Republic of Armenia No. 1255-N dated October 4, 2012, the citizens of the EU member-states and the Schengen Acquis states shall be exempted from the visa requirement for travel to and stay in the Republic of Armenia beginning from January 10, 2013. As of the specified date the citizens of the above mentioned countries shall be entitled to stay in Armenia without a visa within a period of up to 180 days per year.

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Malta, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland.

In all cases it is necessary to have a valid international passport when entering the country.

Visas are provided:
a) In Armenian embassies
b) At Armenian airports and border points upon arrival
c) On-line through www.ArmeniaForeignMinistry.com

The following types of visas are available:
a) Transit visa - up to 3 days
b) Tourist visa - up to 21 days
c) Long Term visa - up to 3 months
d) Diplomatic visa - for the mission period

Money
The official currency of Armenia is the Armenian Dram (AMD). 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 50,000 and 100,000 dram bills are in circulation. 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 dram coins are also used. Tourists can easily exchange USD, Euro and Russian Ruble into AMD. Other currencies also can be exchanged into AMD, however not in all currency exchange offices and therefore it is recommended to have USD, Euro or Russian Ruble during a trip to Armenia.

Emergency phone numbers
Fire 1 01
Police 1 02
Ambulance 1 03
Rescue team 1 18

Telephone codes
Armenia 374
Yerevan 374 10

To phone from Armenia dial 00- country code- city code- telephone number
To phone to Armenia dial 00-374- city code – telephone number.
To phone from one city to another in Armenia 0 is dialed prior to the city code.

Traffic Rules
The traffic in Armenia is right sided. The following limitations about speed are active: 90 km/h in highways and 60 km/h inhabited areas for usual passenger cars. There are plenty of parking areas. The permitted amount of alcohol in the driver’s blood is 0.5 ppm (one 0.33 l bottle of bear).

Time zone
GMT+4
Electricity
In Armenia the voltage is 220, and the frequency is 50 Hz.

State holidays and memorial days
Following holidays and memorial days are observed in Armenia:
December 31st to January 6th - Christmas holidays. (non-working days)
January 28th- Armenian Army Day
March 8th- International Women’s Day (non-working day)
April 7th- Mothers’ and Beauty Day
April 24th- Armenian Genocide Victims’ Memorial Day (non-working day)
May 1st- Day of International Solidarity of Workers (non-working day)
May 9th- Victory and Peace Day (non-working day)
May 28th- First Republic Day (non-working day)
July 5th- Constitution Day (non-working day)
September 21st- Independence Day (non-working day)
December 7th- 1988 Earthquake Victims’ Memorial Day

Main Religious Holidays

January 6th- Holy Christmas

February 14th- Trndez
It is celebrated 40 days after the Holy Christmas. The name means "Go towards the God". The main ceremony is burning a bonfire, which symbolizes the early advent of spring.

Tsakhkazard (Palm Sunday)
It is celebrated a week before the Holy Easter. The holyday symbolizes the solemn arrival of Christ in Jerusalem as a Messiah. On this day, following the tradition boys and girls wear their best clothes, exchange palm branches and wear hallows made from flowers and small branches.

Holy Easter
This is the day of Christ’s resurrection. On this day people great each other with the words: "Christ resurrected" "He truly resurrected". 10 days prior to the Holy Easter Armenian women sow wheat and lentil seeds in a little plate. On the Holy Easter, they place the colored Easter eggs in these 10 day greens. This becomes the main decoration of Easter table.

Vardavar (Christ’s transfiguration day)
It is celebrated on the 14th Sunday after the Easer. The holiday is very popular. According to an ancient legend the pagan goddess of love, Astghik spread love on the Armenian land by spilling water out of roses and by granting roses. After adoption of Christianity the holiday changed slightly. On Vardavar day, everyone, including children and the elderly, start throwing water on each other from early morning to evening.

Assumption of Holy Virgin
The holiday is celebrated in August. The traditional ceremony of the holiday is the annual blessing of grapes in church. The event coincides with the beginning of harvesting season.

Khachverats (Exhaltation of the Cross)
It is celebrated on the Sunday which is the closest to the 14th of September.

Targhmanchants Ton
This is a religious holyday dedicated to Mesrop Mashtots, to his disciples, who did the first translations into Armenian after the creation of the Armenian alphabet (the word "targmanich" means translator). The holiday is also dedicated to other outstanding figures of culture who have not only translated the Bible or other works of world culture, but have remarkable commitment in education, enlightenment and science. Since 1979 with the suggestion of the Writers’ Union of Armenia the holiday is celebrated as all Armenian holiday in October every second year.