Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
\nFCDO advises against all travel to the whole of the Central African Republic, including the areas of Bimbo, Begoua and Coline, except to the capital, Bangui.
\n\nFCDO advises against all but essential travel to Bangui, including Bangui M’Poko International Airport.
\n\nFind out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
\n\nThere is no British Embassy in the Central African Republic, and consular support is severely limited. The British Embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, can provide limited remote consular support to British nationals.
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nFCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in the Central African Republic set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Central African Republic Embassy in Paris (in French).
\n\nTo enter the Central African Republic, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.
\n\nYou must have a visa to visit the Central African Republic.
\n\nApply for a visa through the Central African Republic Embassy in Paris (in French). Requirements can change at short notice, contact the Central African Republic Embassy in Paris for the latest requirements.
\n\nTo pass border control in the Central African Republic, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination.
\n\nFor more details about health entry requirements and recommended vaccinations for the Central African Republic, see TravelHealthPro’s Central African Republic guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the Central African Republic. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nThere is an export tax on cultural artefacts.
\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in the Central African Republic, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nAttacks could be indiscriminate including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
\n\nCurrent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra came to power through an election in 2015 and was re-elected in 2020. In August 2023, a constitutional referendum was passed, which included the removal of presidential term limits. Presidential elections are due in 2025.
\n\nProtests, marches and demonstrations can happen with little notice and have encountered a strong police and security force presence. Protests have previously resulted in deaths and injuries. Protests have taken place in front of Western embassies as well as areas of political significance in the capital. If you are near any protests, marches or demonstrations, you should leave the area immediately. Stay alert and follow the local news, as the atmosphere can change quickly and without warning. Stay away from any blockades set up by the police and security forces.
\n\nIf the authorities suspect you of engaging and supporting activities that break the law in Central African Republic, you could be detained.
\n\nTensions remain high following decades of violence between the Central African Republic government and rebel groups. The security situation could worsen without notice.
\n\nOutside of Bangui, security conditions are extremely unstable. Armed groups continue to occupy areas in the north and south east of the country. Government services are limited outside of Bangui. There are ongoing incidents of armed conflict, banditry and hostage-taking.
\n\nOutside of Bangui there are frequent cases of:
\n\nAttacks are unpredictable and have taken place against UN peacekeepers, humanitarian workers and foreign mining companies. There are unidentified improvised explosive devices in the north west of the country.
\n\nSecurity conditions in Bangui are more stable with a significant presence of security forces, but could deteriorate rapidly.
\n\nIf you decide to remain in the Central African Republic against FCDO advice, you should have confidence in your security arrangements and maintain a high level of vigilance, especially outside of Bangui.
\n\nGovernment security forces, UN peacekeepers, rebel groups and militias conduct armed patrols across the Central African Republic, including in Bangui. Armed personnel control roadblocks (both official and illegal) where you may be asked for a bribe. Take particular care when approaching these. Travel in groups if possible and avoid travelling at night.
\n\nIt is common for the police and armed groups to arbitrarily search and detain people, mainly Central African nationals but also foreign nationals.
\n\nTheft and robbery are common, and armed gangs operate in the outlying areas of Bangui, especially in the PK5 district. Bandits often target foreign nationals, including humanitarian workers. Weapons are common and can cause normal disputes in establishments such as bars to escalate quickly.
\n\nBe alert to the risk of street crime, armed robbery and bribery at all times.Take care around:
\n\nYou can take precautions such as:
\n\nArmed groups and bandits have used illegal roadblocks and have indiscriminately attacked travellers in remote areas. The attackers have burnt or stolen vehicles, and injured, kidnapped or killed passengers.
\n\nAlways keep vehicle and personal identification documents with you while travelling by road. Lock vehicle doors, keep windows closed and avoid driving off main routes. Medical help in the event of an accident is likely to be limited.
\n\nYou must always carry ID by law, such as a certified copy of your passport or a residence permit. The police can detain you if you do not have ID with you.
\n\nIt is only legal to buy diamonds or precious stones through government-authorised agents.
\n\nThere are severe penalties for drug use and possession. If convicted, you can expect heavy fines and a long jail sentence.
\n\nYou often need permission to take photos in public places. You may be detained, fined and have your camera confiscated for photographing government property, uniformed law enforcement officers or military installations and personnel.
\n\nIt is not permitted to take photographs the authorities think damage the country’s image (for example, street children and people with disabilities).
\n\nYou can get a permit for more serious photography from the Ministry of Tourism.
\n\nWhile homosexuality is not illegal, same-sex relationships are not widely accepted in Central African society. LGBT+ travellers may face arrest for “public expressions of love”.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nIt is easier to exchange euros for Central African francs rather than US dollars. You can exchange traveller’s cheques at banks.
\n\nThere are very few ATMs. Most places, including hotels, do not accept international credit or debit cards.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in the Central African Republic, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nRoads are in extremely poor condition, especially in the rainy season from May to November. Most roads are unpaved, may close at short notice and require a 4-wheel-drive vehicle. Outside of Bangui, there are very few roads.
\n\nYou’ll need to have both the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car.
\n\nHire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience or a higher minimum age.
\n\nKeep a private supply of fuel, food and drink if possible, especially if you are travelling any distance outside of Bangui.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nDuring the rainy season from May to November, roads outside of Bangui can become impassable. Flooding in Bangui is common and has killed people and destroyed homes. There is a risk of being cut off by floods in areas outside the capital, particularly in northern regions. There is also a risk of flash flooding.
\n\nEarthquakes are a risk in the Central African Republic. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 610600 or 117 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nEmergency numbers are unreliable in the Central African Republic. The emergency services are unlikely to respond outside of Bangui.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in the Central African Republic, including:
\n\nOn 15 May the Democratic Republic of Congo Ministry of Health announced an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo in the North-Eastern Ituri Province. Read more about the Ebola outbreak on TravelHealth Pro and see information on Ebola and similar diseases. World Health Organisation (WHO) have declared this a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
\n\nDue to the outbreak, you may experience heightened health screening at international borders in the region. Check entry requirements for the country you’re travelling to or transiting.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nThere are very few healthcare facilities in the Central African Republic. Facilities in Bangui are very basic. Strikes by government workers have affected medical services and hospitals. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation, including medical evacuation by air ambulance.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in the Central African Republic where some staff will speak English.
\n\nThere is also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in the Central African Republic.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nTelephone: 117 (ambulance, fire, police)
\n\nor
\n\nAmbulance: 610600
\n\nFire: 118
\n\nMilitary police (‘gendarmerie’): 2161 2200
\n\nEmergency numbers are unreliable in the Central African Republic. The emergency services are unlikely to respond outside Bangui.
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
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