Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. This may impact connections to and from the Maldives.
\n\nYour travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:
\n\nHotline number Ministry of Tourism and Environment: +9609423131
\nNo 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 Maldives’ current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Maldives set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Maldivian High Commission in the UK.
\n\nYour passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least one month after the date you arrive in Maldives. Make sure your passport is not damaged or you may be stopped by immigration.
\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 will get a 30-day visa on arrival if you enter Maldives as a tourist.
\n\nIf you intend to work in Maldives, you must get a work visa before you travel.
\n\nFor further information on entry requirements and visas, contact the Maldives immigration department.
\n\nYou must complete a traveller declaration form (IMUGA) within 96 hours before your flight arrives in the Maldives.
\n\nTo enter Maldives, 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 full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Maldives guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Maldives. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nIt is illegal to bring in anything deemed contrary to Islam, including ‘idols for worship’, bibles, pork and pork products, and alcohol.
\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 Maldives 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\nTerrorist groups, such as Al-Qaida and Daesh, have called on their supporters to carry out terrorist attacks in response to the conflict in Israel and Palestine. The conflict could also motivate individuals to carry out attacks, including in Maldives.
\n\nThe Maldivian authorities have disrupted a number of terrorist attack plans since 2017 and have made several arrests relating to attack planning, recruitment of terrorist fighters and spreading extremist ideology. However, a risk from terrorism remains.
\n\nExamples of attacks in the last 5 years include:
\n\nPolitical protests take place occasionally in Malé. Avoid any protests or rallies to ensure your safety and security.
\n\nCrime levels are low in the exclusive resort islands, but petty crime does happen. Do not leave items unattended on the beach or in unlocked hotel rooms.
\n\nOutside the resorts, there are incidents of gang-related violence including knife crime, mainly in Malé and in Hulhumalé. Avoid empty roads when on foot, particularly after dark.
\n\nMaldives is an Islamic country. It is illegal to publicly observe a religion other than Islam. Make sure that your actions do not offend, especially during Ramadan or when visiting religious areas around mosques. If you break local laws, you may get a prison sentence.
\n\nRamadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. In 2026, it began on 17 February and finished on 19 March. In 2027, it may start on 7 February and last for 29 or 30 days.
\n\nDuring this time, do not eat, drink or smoke in public in the daytime, outside of holiday resorts.
\n\nGet more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.
\n\nAlcoholic drinks are only available on resort islands. Do not take any alcohol out of your resort. You can be arrested and deported for possessing and drinking alcohol, or being intoxicated outside resorts and on inhabited islands.
\n\nPossession, trafficking and manufacture of any illegal drugs are serious offences in Maldives and penalties can be severe. This includes cannabis, even small quantities can lead to arrest.
\n\nBritish nationals have been caught carrying controlled drugs while transiting Maldives.
\n\nInternational airports in Maldives have advanced scanning systems and procedures in place for scanning and detecting illegal substances, including cannabis. This includes all carry-on and checked-in baggage of transiting passengers.
\n\nThe Maldivian authorities have a zero-tolerance policy to drug offences. Possessing drugs, even in very small quantities, carries severe penalties, including:
\n\nYou are strongly advised:
\n\nIt is illegal to take tortoiseshell jewellery or ornaments, or pieces of coral out of Maldives.
\n\nSame-sex relations are illegal and if you are convicted, you could get a fine or a lengthy prison sentence.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nYou should be sensitive to local dress standards when outside holiday resorts, including on beaches used by locals. Men and women should:
\n\nNudism and topless sunbathing are not allowed anywhere, including on resort islands.
\n\nThe sea around Maldives can have strong tidal currents that can drag you away from the shoreline resulting in drownings. It is important that you know the risks and what you can do to minimise them. Always speak to the appropriate resort staff to find out where it is safe for you to swim.
\n\nYou should read the security information provided by your tour operator and make yourself aware of local swimming conditions on arrival at the resort. Keep in regular contact with resort staff to see if these conditions change.
\n\nOnly swim in well supervised areas, areas designated as safe for tourists, or where lifeguards are available. Pay attention to warning signs or flags and avoid swimming in areas with strong currents, high waves or dangerous underwater conditions. If something does not feel right, get out of the water at the earliest opportunity.
\n\nBeing aware of the potential dangers will help you to stay safe. Always take local advice before going into the sea.
\n\nThere have been fatal accidents involving boat propellers in the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) and nearby whale shark tourism sites. Regulations requiring propeller guards are not yet fully enforced. Take extra care when swimming or snorkelling near boats and follow local safety instructions.
\n\nSee water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nMany resort islands are more than an hour away from the nearest hyperbaric chamber. Make sure you understand how your dive operator would get you to one of the 3 chambers in the islands.
\n\nDiving safaris are available and may include opportunities to see sharks. Be aware of the potential risks as accidents can occur and, in rare cases, may be fatal.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive a car in Maldives, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou’ll need to have both the correct 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\nHire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience and minimum age 20 or 21.
\n\nThere is a high risk of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.
\n\nThere have been attacks on local fishing sailing vessels (dhows) in the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa.
\n\nIf you’re travelling by sea, read about the regional risks at sea.
\n\nMost of the island resorts are accessible by boat. Pay attention to safety briefings when taking any boat trips. Make sure life jackets are provided, especially on smaller excursion boats. Some tour guides may be able to advise on the safety record and registration of boats.
\n\nFlash flooding can affect low-lying islands during periods of heavy rain. Follow the advice of the local authorities.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\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\nDial 102 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 Maldives, including:
\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 limited – the only fully equipped hospitals are in Malé and Hulhumalé. Most resort islands are within reach of a doctor or have their own medical facilities, but many are several hours’ travel away from emergency treatment.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Maldives where some staff will speak English.
\n\nThere is also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in Maldives.
\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: 102
\n\nFire: 118
\n\nPolice: 119
\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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