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 Malawi’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Malawi set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Malawi Revenue Authority.
\n\nYour passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive in Malawi.
\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 apply for a visa to enter Malawi.
\n\nSingle or multiple entry visas can be obtained on arrival. You are advised to bring US dollars in cash for payment:
\n\nOn-line e-visas are available on the Malawi Immigration website.
\n\nIf you wish to live, work or study in Malawi, visit the Malawi Immigration website for further information.
\n\nIf you’re travelling with children aged 17 and under and passing through South Africa, see what documents you need in South Africa travel advice.
\n\nTo enter Malawi, you must have certificates to prove you’ve had:
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Malawi guide.
\n\nThe Ministry of Health and Sanitation require arriving passengers to complete a Traveller Health Check form. This can be accessed on arrival through a QR code or completed in advance.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Malawi. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\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 Malawi attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nThere can be demonstrations related to political and economic issues. Avoid large crowds and demonstrations. Monitor local media for updates. Keep local and international travel plans under review.
\n\nThere are occasional reports of kidnappings for ransom in Malawi. These kidnaps have generally been for financial gain or motivated by criminality. In some instances, the kidnapped individuals have been British Nationals, so kidnappers may also target foreigners. Business/wealthy individuals are likely to be at increased risk of this activity.
\n\nThere is a risk of mugging and bag-snatching. Take sensible precautions to protect yourself such as:
\n\nMost thefts from tourists take place around main bus stations in urban areas. Report any thefts to the police as soon as possible.
\n\nBe cautious if over-friendly people approach you offering to act as guides, selling goods, or claiming to know you and asking for a lift.
\n\nPeople have been robbed after eating drugged food. Do not accept food or drink from strangers.
\n\nThere has been an increase in cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in popular travel destinations around the world.
\n\nEven small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell. See Travel Aware Drink Spiking and Methanol Poisoning for information about how to reduce the risks.
\n\nSeek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking.
\n\nThere is a risk of burglaries and violent assault, including by armed gangs. A group of UK tourists were violently assaulted and robbed in 2025 in their hotel in Mulanje. There has been an increase in break-ins in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Limbe, including violent assaults on residents. Review your security systems and watch out for anything unusual.
\n\nIf you plan to climb Mulanje Mountain, get security advice from the Mountain Club of Malawi.
\n\nPolice sometimes ask to see ID. Always carry a copy of your passport, visa or residence permit.
\n\nOutside the main tourist areas, dress conservatively to avoid offending local sensitivities.
\n\nPenalties for drug use and smuggling can be severe. This includes cannabis.
\n\nIt is illegal to buy uncut precious gemstones.
\n\nSame-sex sexual activity is illegal and may result in a custodial sentence. Malawi is a socially conservative society and showing affection in public may receive unwanted and negative attention.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nIt is illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a licence. Buying or selling ivory is illegal. If you are caught buying or carrying these items, you will be prosecuted and get a prison sentence or a fine.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Malawi, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Malawi for up to 90 days. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence. If you get an international driving permit (IDP), you can drive for up to one year.
\n\nAlways carry your licence when driving, you may need to show it at police checkpoints.
\n\nThere are frequent fuel shortages in Malawi and there can often be long queues. Do not assume fuel will be available on your route. Plan ahead to make sure you can reach your destination.
\n\nPolice use breathalyser tests and regularly stop vehicles for speeding. There are speed cameras on main roads, often where there are no speed limit signs. Police can give on-the-spot speeding fines. Drivers caught drink-driving or speeding can also have their licences and vehicles immediately confiscated. Convicted drivers face fines and possible imprisonment.
\n\nDriving in Malawi can be hazardous and there is a high rate of road fatalities. Potholes, animals, abandoned vehicles and cyclists can cause serious accidents, as can vehicles travelling at night without lights. Emergency services are basic.
\n\nAlways wear a seatbelt and avoid travelling after dark.
\n\nPublic minibuses and pick-up trucks are often in poor condition and overloaded. Larger coach services running between the major towns are more reliable.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nCyclones and floods are common during the rainy season from November to April. They often cause landslides, which result in road closures and disruption to travel and public transport.
\n\nMonitor local reports and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organization.
\n\nThe rainy season runs from November to April and can make road travel difficult. Floods can make areas of Malawi inaccessible.
\n\nMonitor weather services, including the:
\n\nCheck your route before travelling and follow the advice of the local authorities.
\n\nEarthquakes are a risk in Malawi. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency 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 998 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nEmergency numbers are unreliable in Malawi.
\nThere may be other numbers for the areas you visit – ask your hotel or the local police.
\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 Malawi including:
\n\nAltitude sickness is a risk in parts of Malawi. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nIn late 2022 and early 2023, Malawi experienced the largest cholera outbreak in its history. Cases are likely to rise again during the rainy season.
\n\nTap water may not be safe to drink, especially in rural areas.
\n\nYou should take normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.
\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\nGeneral medical facilities throughout Malawi are unable to provide the same standard of healthcare as in the UK. Facilities in rural areas are basic and emergency services are limited. You should carry basic medical supplies. Many medical facilities expect up-front payment. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad, medical evacuation and repatriation.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Malawi 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\nAmbulance: 998
\n\nFire: 999
\n\nPolice: 990 or 997
\n\nEmergency numbers are unreliable in Malawi.
\nThere may be other numbers for the areas you visit – ask your hotel or the local police.
\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\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Malawi on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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