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 Guinea’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Guinea set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Guinean Embassy in the UK.
\n\nTo enter Guinea, 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 Guinea for up to 90 days. Make sure you apply for the correct visa – British nationals have been refused entry with the wrong one.
\n\nYou can apply online for an e-visa for private and business travel. You must apply several days in advance and upload scanned documents, including a yellow fever vaccination certificate. When you arrive in Guinea, take your e-visa registration receipt to the entry checkpoint, where border officials will issue your visa.
\n\nTo enter Guinea, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
\n\nFor more details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, including yellow fever, see TravelHealthPro’s Guinea guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Guinea. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nThere is no limit on cash you can bring into Guinea. When you leave, you cannot take more than 100,000 Guinean francs, or 5,000 US dollars or the equivalent in euros.
\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\nTerrorist attacks in Guinea cannot be ruled out.
\n\nAttacks could be indiscriminate including in places visited by foreigners. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
\n\nWhile the political environment is currently stable, there is ongoing tension between the government and opposition parties.
\n\nProtests linked to economic challenges, such as electricity shortages, occur from time to time. Tensions can rise quickly. Public gatherings and demonstrations can start with little or no warning and may turn violent. In the past, protestors have damaged public buildings, and there have been fatalities and injuries among protestors and bystanders.
\n\nStay away from demonstrations, especially near military installations, and monitor reliable, local and international media for updates. If you see crowds forming or signs of unrest, move promptly to a safe location.
\n\nBorder areas of Guinea are often tense with an increased military presence. Security has improved but things can still be tense, particularly at big events such as elections.
\n\nFor assistance or to report a crime in Conakry, call the local police Commissaire on +224 622 86 94 71.
\n\nCriminals posing as police or military, armed with military weapons, have robbed drivers and their passengers at gunpoint, particularly at night. Violent carjackings are a threat, especially in the outlying suburbs of Conakry. Reduce the risk of vehicle crime by:
\n\nThere are occasional reports of hold-ups and armed robbery on the roads to:
\n\nIf you plan to arrive in Conakry on a flight after dark, arrange your airport transfer before you travel.
\n\nBreak-ins are common, and burglars may be armed. There is also a high level of street crime – mugging, pickpocketing and bag-snatching. Take precautions by:
\n\nThe British Embassy in Conakry is aware of police extorting cash from foreigners and Guineans.
\n\nTake particular care if you trade gold and diamonds. This trade attracts criminal gangs and can involve kidnapping and extortion. There are reports of trading scams involving diamonds, gold export and gold certification.
\n\nThe criminal justice process in Guinea falls below international standards. If you are arrested or detained due process may not be followed and delays should be expected. Pre-trial detention is common and can last for many months.
\n\nLocal prison conditions are harsh, often without regular food and water. The main prison in Conakry suffers from serious overcrowding.
\n\nAlways carry photo ID such as a passport.
\n\nDo not become involved with illegal drugs of any kind.
\n\nIf you commit a drugs crime, you are likely to be prosecuted. There are heavy penalties for those convicted.
\n\nPhotography and filming in many areas is highly restricted. This includes:
\n\nIt’s illegal to photograph or film anything of strategic value such as airports and bridges. Do not photograph military or police installations or government buildings, or you could be arrested.
\n\nIndividuals may prefer not to be photographed. If in doubt, ask, or do not take pictures.
\n\nCredit cards are not widely used in Guinea and obtaining hard currency is very difficult. There are a few ATMs in Conakry that accept foreign cards, but they give only small amounts of currency. They are also unreliable. Banks in Conakry accept international credit cards and exchange money.
\n\nExchanging foreign currency on the street is illegal. Foreign nationals have been arrested and held in military custody for using unofficial money changers even for small amounts, including at the airport.
\n\nSame-sex sexual activity is illegal. Penalties range from 6 months to 3 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 to 1 million Guinean francs.
\n\nSame-sex relationships are not widely accepted or understood. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nYou need an export licence to take precious stones out of Guinea. Gem smuggling is illegal, and anyone convicted can expect a severe prison sentence. Local prison conditions are harsh.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Guinea, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou’ll need to have both the 1949 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.
\n\nMost major hotels and travel agencies offer cars for hire, with a driver if required.
\n\nRoad travel can be hazardous, especially during the rainy season from May to October. Roads, even within Conakry and other principal towns, can be flooded and become impassable.
\n\nThe standard of road maintenance is low. Many roads are unmetalled and have deep potholes as damage caused during the rainy season goes unrepaired.
\n\nFuel is not always available at petrol stations. Carry an emergency supply on long journeys.
\n\nBritish Embassy staff avoid road travel outside the Conakry region at night. If staff choose to hire transport for personal journeys, they are encouraged to satisfy themselves in advance of the vehicle’s roadworthiness and the driver’s competence. The use of moto-taxis and shared taxis/tuk-tuks is not advised.
\n\nTaxis and long-distance buses are generally poorly maintained, overcrowded, and the drivers are often unqualified.
\n\nPolice and local militia maintain checkpoints across the country. They check vehicle and passenger documentation and baggage. Corruption and extortion are common at roadblocks. Occasionally, checkpoints can be a pretext for armed robbery.
\n\nThe authorities may close the Guinea-Sierra Leone border at short notice.
\n\nThere have been reports of piracy attacks against vessels in Guinean territorial waters.
\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\nIn remote areas you will have to arrange local transport. In Conakry, call local clinics.
\n\nClinique Pasteur: +224 621 35 01 01 or +224 664 26 98 53
\n\nInternational Clinic: +224 654 05 55 55 or +224 654 09 99 99
\n\nClinique Ambroise Paré: +224 631 40 10 40
\n\nHôpital de l’Amitié Sino-Guinéenne: +224 621 08 88 62
\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 Guinea, including:
\n\nThere are occasional outbreaks of Ebola in Guinea. The last one was in 2021. Cholera and malaria are also present in Guinea and have similar early symptoms to Ebola. You can read more information on Ebola and similar diseases.
\n\nThere are some well-stocked pharmacies in Conakry but few outside the capital. Check that medicine is genuine.
\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 are poor. Equipment is basic and often not sterile. Carry basic medical supplies and a first aid kit.
\n\nFor serious medical treatment, medical evacuation to Europe is necessary. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Guinea where some staff will speak English.
\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\nThere are no emergency services in Guinea. If you need urgent medical assistance, contact a clinic in Conakry:
\n\nClinique Pasteur: +224 621 35 01 01 or +224 664 26 98 53
\n\nClinique Ambroise Paré: +224 631 40 10 40
\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\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nYou can also contact FCDO online.
\n\nIf you’re in Guinea and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British Embassy in Conakry.
\n\nThe British Embassy in Conakry can only provide limited emergency consular assistance. Access to the Embassy is strictly by appointment only. Please send an email to BritishEmbassy.Conakry@fcdo.gov.uk for consular assistance or to make an appointment. If you need urgent consular help, call +44 (0) 1908 516 666.
\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\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Guinea on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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