No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\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\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) 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 Comoros’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Comoros set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Comoros Embassy in Paris (in French).
\n\nTo enter Comoros, 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 enter or travel through Comoros. You can buy a visa for 30 euros when you arrive at Hahaya airport or other points of entry.
\n\nFor details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Comoros guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Comoros. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\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 Comoros, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nProtests and unrest can happen in Comoros, including in Moroni and other parts of Grande Comore, Anjouan and Mohéli, particularly following elections. Protests have previously blocked roads, making travel in Moroni difficult, including between the city and the international airport.
\n\nIn January 2024, a protestor was killed and several injured in clashes with security forces.
\n\nAvoid crowds and demonstrations and follow the advice and instructions of local authorities.
\n\nDue to a longstanding dispute between Comoros and France about the island of Mayotte, there is some anti-French sentiment in Comoros and occasional demonstrations on the issue. Monitor local media to keep up to date with developments.
\n\nCrime levels are low but take precautions against pickpocketing. Street crime such as robbery is rare. Walking alone at night increases your risk, including on beaches or in town centres.
\n\nKeep your valuables, cash and important documents in hotel safes where possible.
\n\nAlways travel with your ID. Keep printed copies of your passport’s photo page and visa stamp.
\n\nComoros is an Islamic country. The official religion is Sunni Islam. People are not allowed to practise Shia Islam in Comoros.
\n\nRespect local traditions, customs, laws and religious practices. Make sure you do not offend cultural or religious beliefs.
\n\nClothing for men and women needs to cover the body loosely, from the shoulders to the knees.
\n\nIslanders mostly consider outward displays of intimacy to be contrary to public decency.
\n\nAll matters of religious practice and custom are given particular importance by the people and authorities throughout the year. This importance is especially heightened during the month of Ramadan.
\n\nRamadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. Check the year’s Ramadan dates before you travel. During this time of Ramadan do not:
\n\nGet more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.
\n\nYou should also:
\n\nIt is possible to buy alcohol in Comoros, for example at hotels, but drinking alcohol or being drunk on public highways is illegal. Offences are punishable by fines or even imprisonment.
\n\nPay particular attention to these rules during the Ramadan period.
\n\nDrug trafficking and possession are serious offences. If you are found guilty, you could get a long prison sentence and a fine.
\n\nIt is advisable to ask people for permission before photographing them. Avoid taking photos of public buildings, particularly military and police buildings.
\n\nSame-sex sexual activity is illegal in Comoros. If convicted you could get a prison sentence of up to 5 years and heavy fines.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nThere are very few banks or ATMs in Grande Comore or on the other islands. People in Comoros mainly use cash. Credit cards are not always accepted – check in advance if your hotel accepts your card.
\n\nTechnical or connection issues with equipment may also make it difficult to pay by card so always have cash available. Some hotels and restaurants accept foreign currencies such as euros. However, they will give you change in Comorian francs.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Comoros, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Comoros for up to 3 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
\n\nIf you need an extension after 3 months, go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Rue du place de l’indépendance des Comores à Moroni or visit their Facebook page: Ministère des Affaires Etrangères de l’Union des Comores.
\n\nOn Grande Comore, the main ring-road is of a reasonable standard, but many other roads are in poor condition.
\n\nBoats and ferries take passengers between the 3 islands. They can be overloaded, in poor condition and without life jackets. Overloaded vessels have capsized in Comorian waters with significant loss of life.
\n\nRecent attacks off the coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden highlight the significant risk of piracy and armed robbery.
\n\nIf you’re travelling by sea, read about the regional risks at sea.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nTropical cyclones can affect Comoros between January and May. Monitor local news and check World Meteorological Organization weather reports for Comoros.
\n\nKarthala, near Moroni on Grande Comore, is an active volcano which last erupted in 2007. Check Karthala’s most recent reports and monitoring before you make plans to visit.
\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 hospitals and ask for an ambulance.
\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 Comoros.
\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\nMedical facilities on all 3 islands of Comoros are basic and most are private. Disruptions to electricity and water supplies can affect hospitals and other public services.
\n\nMakes sure you have adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical facilities in Comoros.
\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\nFire: 113 or 114
\n\nPolice: 117
\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:
\n\n