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 Réunion’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nRéunion is an Overseas Department of France (‘Département d’Outre-Mer’). The French authorities set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the French Consulate General in the UK.
\n\nYour passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave Réunion.
\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\nRéunion is an Overseas Department of France and so is part of the EU.
\n\nYou can visit Réunion without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business. To stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, check the visa application process and timelines on the French visa website.
\n\nCarry your residence document, as well as your passport, when entering or exiting Réunion. If you’ve applied but not yet received your document, carry your certificate of application. You will have received this as an email.
\n\nFor details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Réunion guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Réunion. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nYou cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.
\n\nCheck what cash and valuables you need to declare to bring them into Réunion.
\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 Réunion, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nSee water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nThere have been shark attacks in Réunion. Follow advice from local authorities or your tour operator about which beaches are safe.
\n\nDiving schools may have limited resources and do not always observe safety and maintenance standards. Always:
\n\nIf you have not had any previous diving experience, check what to do if something goes wrong, including how to call for help while at sea.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Réunion, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in RAC’s France guide as French driving rules apply. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.
\n\nCheck with the local authorities or your car hire company if you need an international driving permit (IDP) as well as your UK driving licence.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nThe cyclone season in Réunion normally runs from December to April. Monitor local news and check the French Weather Service (in French) and World Meteorological Organization. Follow advice issued by the local authorities.
\n\nThere are active volcanoes on Réunion, including Piton de la Fournaise.
\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 112 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 Réunion, including.
\n\nAltitude sickness is a risk in parts of Réunion. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
\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 healthcare facilities in Réunion, including emergency services, are good. Some specialist treatment is also available.
\n\nTo get medically necessary state healthcare in Réunion, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
\n\nThe NHS’s getting healthcare abroad webpage has details about:
\n\nA GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. You may have costs your GHIC or EHIC does not cover, including:
\n\nIf you plan to live in Réunion, consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about long-term entitlement to healthcare under the French national system.
\n\nDWP Overseas Medical Benefits helpline: +44 (0)191 218 1999
\n\nYou can also get English-language information about French social security services online or on +33 (0)820 90 42 12. You can get French-language information online about state services in Réunion.
\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: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
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\n\nAmbulance: 15
\n\nFire: 18
\n\nPolice: 17
\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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