1Dating in Eritrea starts with the diaspora
For many people, dating in Eritrea begins far from Asmara. Indeed, many Eritrean singles now live in Europe, notably in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden. Others still live at home and stay close to a brother or a cousin abroad. So the same love story often unfolds across two continents.
The country speaks several languages. Tigrinya dominates the highlands and the capital. It uses the Ge'ez script, which Amharic in neighbouring Ethiopia shares. Meanwhile, Tigre is widely spoken in the lowlands and along the coast. Arabic and English also matter at work and in higher education.
This guide therefore speaks to three groups. First, Eritreans in the diaspora looking for something serious. Next, people who live in Eritrea itself. Finally, Europeans who are already talking to an Eritrean man or woman. In every case, dating in Eritrea works best with patience, honesty and respect for both families.
2Asmara, Massawa and the Belgian travel advice
Asmara, the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, listed for its modernist architecture. Locals sometimes call it "Piccola Roma". Its old cafés and cinemas, and the palm-lined Harnet Avenue, give the city a look of its own. Massawa, on the Red Sea, remains the country's historic port.
However, the Belgian Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs advises against all non-essential travel to Eritrea, especially to the border regions. It also notes that foreigners need a travel permit to leave Asmara. So do not let dating in Eritrea start with a flight from Brussels. Instead, meet in Europe, or wait until you truly know the person.
For people who already live there, the FPS describes Asmara and other towns as relatively safe. Still, it urges caution whenever you move around. Pick a busy café in the centre, in daylight, and tell a friend where you are. In addition, the FPS warns that photographing government and military buildings is forbidden, so skip the selfie in front of them. The same source also states that homosexuality is illegal in Eritrea.
3First dates in Europe with the Eritrean diaspora
For many couples, dating in Eritrea really means a first meeting in Brussels, Amsterdam or Frankfurt. The usual first-date rules apply. Choose a public, lively place that is easy to reach for both of you. On the other hand, say no to a private flat or an isolated spot, however much the other person insists.
An Eritrean restaurant might feel like a natural choice, since sharing one large plate of injera creates closeness. Yet dating in Eritrea or its diaspora happens in small communities, where news travels fast. If your match values discretion, suggest a neutral café instead, well away from the neighbourhood where their relatives live.
Later on, you may be invited to a coffee ceremony at a relative's home. The beans are roasted in front of the guests, then poured from a jebena, a clay coffee pot. Several rounds follow, and leaving too early can seem rude. So accept warmly, take your time and ask simple questions. Genuine curiosity often means more than an expensive gift.
4Orthodox and Muslim faith: talk about it early
According to the Belgian FPS Foreign Affairs, roughly half of Eritreans are Muslim. Many of the others belong to the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church. There are also Catholic and Protestant communities. As a result, faith often shapes choices about marriage, and parents' opinions too.
Dating in Eritrea sometimes brings together two believers from different traditions. That is why it helps to raise the subject early. Do you attend services every week? Do you keep the long Orthodox fasts, or Ramadan? Would you want a religious wedding? Such questions prevent misunderstandings. Above all, they show that you take the relationship seriously.
On Koeur24, the religion filter helps you find profiles that share your values. Distance and age filters narrow the search further. For example, an Orthodox woman in Ghent can look for an Orthodox man in Belgium or the Netherlands. In short, the right filters save time from the very first message.
5Long-distance dating in Eritrea on limited internet
A relationship with someone who lives in the country takes patience. Indeed, the Belgian FPS describes internet access in Eritrea as very limited. There are internet cafés in Asmara, but connections are slow. The FPS also calls the phone networks unreliable.
In practice, messages may arrive in bursts, then stop for days. So silence does not always mean lost interest. Agree on realistic time slots instead, for example on Sunday afternoons. Besides, Eritrea is only one or two hours ahead of Brussels, which makes calls easier to plan.
However, these limits also give fake profiles an easy excuse. Be wary of someone who always refuses video, even when the connection clearly allows it. On Koeur24, every photo goes through an automatic check and then a manual review. Next, identity verification is optional, but it earns an "Identity verified" badge. Messaging and audio or video calls also stay inside the app. That way, dating in Eritrea from a distance moves forward without handing out your phone number too soon.
6Money and scams: one rule, no exceptions
The Belgian FPS explains that Eritrea's economy runs on cash, with no cash machines and no card payments. As a result, any money sent into the country usually passes through an unknown middleman. That alone is a reason to say no.
The rule is therefore absolute. Never send money, phone credit or any transfer to someone you have not met in person. The stories vary: a passport to renew, a plane ticket, visa fees, a sick parent. Yet honest dating in Eritrea never depends on a payment. It also helps to learn how to spot a romance scam before it takes hold.
Moreover, we found no official Eritrean body that takes fraud reports online. So keep your screenshots and payment references. Then block the profile and report it on the site. If you have lost money, file a complaint with the police where you live.
- Turn down every request for money before a real meeting, however small
- Suggest a video call before you talk about the future
- Keep the conversation inside the app for as long as possible
- Hold your first date in a public place in Europe
- Tell a friend where and when you are meeting
7Visas for Belgium: which office to contact
When dating in Eritrea leads to a visit to Belgium, a visa comes next. Belgium has no embassy or consulate in Eritrea, according to the FPS. Instead, the Belgian Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, refers short-stay applicants to the Embassy of Italy. Long-stay visas, however, are handled by TLScontact in Nairobi. Rules change, so always check the embassy website first.
The Belgian Embassy in Nairobi also states that it offers no fast-track visa service. It advises lodging a Schengen application between six months and fifteen days before travel. Therefore, be suspicious of anyone who asks for money to "speed up" a visa. Once in Belgium, visitors must register their presence within three days, for instance through the online "My Address in Belgium" form.
Finally, one point matters for the diaspora. The FPS notes that Eritrea does not recognise dual nationality. A Belgian-Eritrean citizen is treated as Eritrean there, so Belgian consular help may be limited. Keep that in mind before any trip to visit family together.
8Family, marriage and dating in Eritrea at your own pace
In many Eritrean families, marriage is still a shared affair. Parents give their view, and elders sometimes act as go-betweens for the two families. Customs differ, though, by region, religion and generation. In the diaspora, many young people choose their partner themselves and then introduce them at home.
Before meeting the relatives, ask your partner how things work in their family. Is a clear commitment expected before any introduction? Does the family expect an engagement? Such questions show respect, especially if you share neither the language nor the faith. Of course, a few words of Tigrinya always go down well.
Serious dating in Eritrea, or within its diaspora, takes time. Koeur24 is a serious dating site founded in Brussels in 2024, available in French, English and Dutch. Signing up is free and open to adults aged 18 and over. If something feels wrong, blocking and reporting are always within reach. After that, move at your own pace: a message, a call, then a date.