Packing list for Qatar, travel insurance for Qatar and taking your belongings

What to take to Qatar: brief

To pack and check

• Documents and money: a passport valid for at least another 6 months. For many European travelers and some travelers from other countries, no visa is required in advance, and you will receive visa-free entry or a visa waiver upon arrival, but always check the current rules for your nationality. The local currency is the Qatari riyal (QAR). You can pay with a debit or credit card almost everywhere; cash is mainly useful for smaller shops or taxis.
• Clothing: light, breathable clothing due to the extreme heat. Although Doha is modern and headscarves are no longer mandatory for women, public decency is a must: outside of hotels, resorts, and beaches, covering clothing (shoulders and knees) is important. Tight, revealing clothing is also not appreciated outside of resorts. Bring a good cardigan as well; the air conditioning is so strong that you will catch a cold quickly.
• Shoes: comfortable sneakers or sandals for the city. If you are going into the desert, closed shoes are more comfortable than flip-flops because of the scorching hot sand.
• Personal care and hygiene: sunscreen with a high SPF and lip balm. You can dehydrate without noticing due to the dry desert air.
• Packing and protection: a lightweight daypack, and/or a dry bag for desert excursions. A dry bag protects your phone or camera from the fine sand.
• Medicines and first-aid kit: a first-aid kit with ORS, plasters, painkillers, and personal medication in its original packaging. Check carefully beforehand whether your medicines are allowed into Qatar; some medicines normally available in other countries are subject to strict pharmaceutical legislation.
• Outdoors and practical items: sunglasses, sun hat or cap, and a reusable insulated water bottle.
• Technology and equipment: a universal adapter for type G sockets. A power bank is useful because batteries can drain quickly due to the heat.

To consider

• An insect repellent can be useful for mangrove areas such as Al Thakira and some parks, but is not an absolute necessity for most travelers.
• A light scarf for visits to mosques. UV-protective clothing for desert excursions.

Are there mosquitoes in Qatar?

• Yes, but fortunately not in large numbers. The dry desert climate is much less attractive to mosquitoes than tropical countries. If they are present, they are mainly found near irrigation areas, parks, mangroves, and stagnant water.
• For most travelers, mosquitoes pose hardly any health risk.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Qatar?

• It is unclear whether sandflies occur in Qatar. Furthermore, there are no reports of leishmaniasis, so they pose no risk to tourists.
• In any case, an insect repellent containing DEET or picaridine and protective clothing offer good protection.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET, or other insect repellents, in Qatar?

• DEET and other insect repellents are readily available at pharmacies, drugstores, and large supermarkets.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Qatar, or bring it to Qatar?

• No, Qatar has very strict drug laws. Even small amounts of cannabis or traces of drugs can lead to arrest and severe, long prison sentences.
• Also, carefully check whether there are CBD products or cannabis oil in your luggage; problems can arise with those as well.