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 Palau’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Palau set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Palau Consulate in Batley in the UK.
\n\nYour passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Palau and at least 2 blank pages.
\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 can visit Palau for up to 30 days without a pre-arranged visa.
\n\nBorder officials will issue a 30-day tourist visa on arrival. You may need to show proof of onward or return travel.
\n\nContact the Bureau of Immigration before you travel if you’re likely to seek an extension of your stay.
\n\nTelephone: (+680) 488 2498 or 2678 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)
\n\nEmail: imm@palaunet.com
\n\nYou must sign the Palau Pledge which is stamped in your passport on arrival.
\n\nYou must also complete the Palau entry form within 72 hours of your arrival.
\n\nIf you arrive by sea, you must give at least 48 hours’ notice of your arrival so that immigration formalities can be arranged.
\n\nYou must complete the Palau entry form within 72 hours of your arrival.
\n\nFor details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Palau guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Palau. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty on the Palau entry form.
\n\nDeclare personal items worth more than 400 US dollars and cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more.
\n\nIt’s illegal to bring reef-toxic sunscreen into Palau. You’ll see disposal bins for banned sunscreens. If customs officials find reef-toxic sunscreen in your baggage, they will confiscate it. Permitted sunscreens generally have an active ingredient of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
\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 Palau, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nCrime levels are low, and you’re more likely to experience theft of unattended items than confrontational crime. Take sensible precautions to protect your belongings and keep your accommodation secure.
\n\nThere has been an increase in credit card fraud. This may include credit card skimming devices or other types of data theft. Take care when paying with credit cards or withdrawing money from ATMs.
\n\nThere are heavy penalties for all drug offences. If you’re convicted of possessing even a small amount of an illegal drug, you could get a fine or a prison sentence.
\n\nThe legal drinking age in Palau is 21 years. It is illegal to drink alcohol in public, except on licensed premises.
\n\nThere are unexploded World War 2 bombs and weapons in Palau. There is a higher risk on the islands of Peleliu and Angaur, where there were major battles in the Pacific campaign.
\n\nBe alert to the risk if exploring caves or hiking off main routes. Do not touch anything that appears to be made of metal. Take pictures and report anything out of the ordinary to the authorities.
\n\nTake local advice before swimming or diving from high rocks. There are over 60 vertical drop-offs in the diving areas and some are for experienced divers only.
\n\nEnsure you have comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical evacuation and covers your planned activities.
\n\nSee water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nDiving school standards are not always as high as in the UK. You should:
\n\nThe hyperbaric chamber is at the Belau National Hospital in Koror, less than 2 hours from most locations.
\n\nIf you have not had any previous diving experience:
\n\nIt’s illegal to use reef-toxic sunscreen in Palau. Permitted sunscreens generally have an active ingredient of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
\n\nThere are penalties for selling reef-toxic sunscreen.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Palau, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Palau for up to 30 days. 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. After 30 days you must apply for a Palauan driving licence.
\n\nMain roads are in reasonable condition. Inland roads may be narrow and damaged by flooding during the summer months. It’s illegal to overtake on Palauan roads, but drivers often overtake with poor safety awareness.
\n\nIn rural areas roads have limited signage and hazard warnings. Avoid driving after dark, as roads are unlit and you could hit people or livestock.
\n\nDrink-driving is a common cause of accidents. Watch out for erratic driving, particularly at night and weekends.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nPalau is vulnerable to tropical cyclones and floods. There is higher rainfall from April to November, peaking in July and August. Severe downpours can cause floods and damage roads.
\n\nMonitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organization and the Japanese Meteorological Agency and follow any instructions issued by the local authorities.
\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 911 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 Palau, including:
\n\nThe Belau National Hospital in Koror has a pharmacy that dispenses basic medicines.
\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\nHealth facilities in Palau are adequate for routine medical care. The only national hospital is Belau National Hospital in Koror, which is less than 2 hours from most locations. The hospital has a hyperbaric chamber to treat patients in diving accidents and can carry out operations.
\n\nThere are small number of private clinics and community health centres that offer basic primary and urgent care services. Doctors and medical centres often expect immediate cash payment.
\n\nEmergency treatment or treatment for serious conditions is limited so may require medical evacuation. 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\nTelephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, 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:
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