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\n\n\n","slug":"warnings-and-insurance","title":"Warnings and insurance"},{"body":"This 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-Bissau’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Guinea-Bissau set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Guinea-Bissau Embassy in Paris, France:
\n\n94 Rue St Lazare, 75009 Paris
\nEmail: embgbfr@gmail.com
\nTelephone: +33 (0)1 48 74 36 39 or +33 (0)1 48 78 36 69
To enter Guinea-Bissau, 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-Bissau.
\n\nContact the Guinea-Bissau Embassy in Paris, France, for information on applying for a visa:
\n\n94 Rue St Lazare, 75009 Paris
\nEmail: embgbfr@gmail.com
\nTelephone: +33 (0)1 48 74 36 39 or +33 (0)1 48 78 36 69
Guinea-Bissau also has embassies in neighbouring countries, including Senegal, where you may be able to get a visa.
\n\nTo enter Guinea-Bissau, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination.
\n\nFor more details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Guinea-Bissau guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Guinea-Bissau. 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 is no recent history of terrorism in Guinea-Bissau, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nAttacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
\n\nGuinea-Bissau suffers from political instability. In the event of any political unrest follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media for information. Stay alert to local developments and avoid sensitive areas like military installations and government buildings. Avoid demonstrations or large public gatherings.
\n\nIf you have any doubts about the level of security in an area, stay at home or in your hotel.
\n\nPickpocketing and bag and phone snatching are relatively common in the capital city, Bissau. Where possible, keep valuables such as phones hidden when out in public.
\n\nBe especially careful in remote areas where security forces have a limited presence.
\n\nLandmines remain a risk in parts of the country, and demining operations continue. The national demining centre (CAAMI) declared Bissau free from landmines. Outside of Bissau, take local advice and stay on paved roads.
\n\nYou must carry ID such as a passport or residence permit, particularly when driving or in a taxi. Police forces regularly ask for ID.
\n\nThere are severe penalties for all drug offences. Local prison conditions are harsh.
\n\nSame-sex sexual relationships are not criminalised. However, Guinea-Bissau is a conservative society and same-sex couples showing affection in public may attract unwanted and negative attention.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nGuinea-Bissau is a cash-based economy. Credit cards are rarely used and there are not many ATMs in the country. If you need to exchange foreign currency, use an official bureau de change.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Guinea-Bissau, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Guinea-Bissau 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. You’ll also need a registration card number with you in the vehicle – your car hire firm should provide this.
\n\nIt’s recommended you get local car insurance recognised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Brown Card scheme.
\n\nHire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.
\n\nDrink-driving is a serious offence in Guinea-Bissau. If you are tested and found to have any alcohol in your system, you may get a fine and a possible prison sentence.
\n\nTraffic is generally light but driving standards and road conditions, including in Bissau, are poor. Avoid road travel at night and take suitable precautions in the rainy season, which runs from June to October. Heavy rains can make road and driving conditions difficult.
\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 1313 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 Guinea-Bissau, including:
\n\nThe United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund’s report for 2022 estimated that 34,000 people (adults and children) in Guinea-Bissau were living with HIV. The prevalence percentage was estimated at around 2.4% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should use normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.
\n\nPharmacies in Guinea-Bissau are limited and may sometimes lack supplies. Pharmacies will accept UK prescriptions and are the only place you can buy medicines. Pharmacies in Guinea-Bissau do not have accreditation with UK insurance companies, so speak to your insurance company beforehand if you need a refund.
\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 in Guinea-Bissau are extremely limited and hospitals are not fully operational. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
\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\nAmbulance: 1313
\n\nFire: 1313
\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