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 Uruguay’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Uruguay set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Uruguayan Embassy in the UK.
\n\nTo enter Uruguay, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay and have at least one blank page for an entry stamp.
\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 Uruguay without a visa for up to 90 days.
\n\nTo stay longer or take up residency in Uruguay, see Dirección Nacional de Migración (in Spanish). For other information on entry regulations and living in Uruguay, contact the nearest Uruguayan Embassy.
\n\nIf they travel on a non-Uruguayan passport, alone or with just one parent, children aged 17 and under who live in Uruguay and non-resident children who have been in Uruguay for a year or more need written permission (‘Permiso de Menor’) from non-accompanying parents to leave the country (in Spanish). Children travelling on a Uruguayan passport do not need permission.
\n\nThe Uruguay Ministry of the Interior (in Spanish) has more information. If you’re in the UK, contact the Uruguayan Embassy in the UK.
\n\nFor details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Uruguay guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Uruguay (in Spanish). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nIt is illegal for visitors to import:
\n\nThe authorities X-ray all baggage on arrival and may search it.
\n\nYou can bring in up to 10,000 US dollars or an equal amount in other currencies, precious metals or other monetary instruments (such as travellers cheques). You must declare amounts above this limit.
\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 Uruguay, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nStreet crime happens in Montevideo, including:
\n\nYou should:
\n\nKeep away from isolated or poorly lit areas at night and avoid walking downtown or in the port area alone, especially at night and on weekends.
\n\nCriminals regularly break into cars left on the street. Try to park in paid car parks or well-lit, busy areas.
\n\nAlways lock your car and avoid leaving valuables, luggage, personal documents and cash in the vehicle. Do not drive with bags or other valuables visible, especially on the front seat. Thieves can smash windows and grab valuables at traffic lights and junctions.
\n\nCrime rates are generally lower in other parts of Uruguay, but still take usual precautions.
\n\nYou cannot always use credit cards outside of major towns. ATMs may not always accept UK debit cards.
\n\nIt is illegal to smoke, including e-cigarettes, in enclosed public places such as restaurants, shopping centres and cinemas.
\n\nIf they have registered with the Uruguayan government, it is legal for Uruguayan nationals or foreign nationals who have been resident for more than 2 years, to grow marijuana or buy it from registered pharmacies. However, it is illegal for tourists to do this.
\n\nSame-sex marriage is legal and there are anti-discrimination laws. Uruguay also recognises same-sex civil unions. It is common to see same-sex couples together in public, and hostility or discrimination towards LGBT+ visitors is rare.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nMany beaches in Uruguay have lifeguards from December to March, although times vary across the country. Take care when swimming in rivers or the Atlantic Ocean. There can be currents, rocks and sandbanks with sudden descents.
\n\nBeaches with lifeguards display coloured flags depending on the conditions:
\n\nSee water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Uruguay, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Uruguay for the first 90 days after you arrive. 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 90 days, you must get a Uruguayan driving licence.
\n\nHire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as 2 years of driving experience and holding an IDP.
\n\nDriving laws include:
\n\nUruguay is introducing electronic-tag-only tolls (in Spanish) – these require prepayment or a linked credit card with an electronic sticker fixed to your car. Rental cars will already have electronic tags. The rental company will charge you for any unpaid tolls.
\n\nDrink-driving is a serious offence in Uruguay. If you are tested and found to have any alcohol in your system, you may get a fine and possible imprisonment, a driving suspension or a community work order.
\n\nYou will also get a fine if you’re found driving under the influence of drugs.
\n\nThe main toll roads from Colonia del Sacramento to Montevideo and Punta del Este are in good condition and well-marked. However, serious road traffic accidents are common and often caused by poor road layout and speeding.
\n\nThe standard of roads in the rest of Uruguay varies. Roads may suddenly deteriorate, with potholes and uneven road surfaces. Take extra care, especially in bad weather or at night.
\n\nDriving standards are poor and traffic is disorganised. Drivers may:
\n\nMotorbikes often go the wrong way down one-way streets – look both ways when crossing junctions.
\n\nFor information on transport regulations, see the Montevideo municipality website (in Spanish).
\n\nThe main bus terminal for long distance journeys is Tres Cruces (in Spanish). There are visible security patrols. Keep a close eye on your belongings.
\n\nThe Uruguay government usually issues warnings and updates on extreme weather through news channels and the press. Sistema Nacional de Emergencias (in Spanish) coordinates crisis responses.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nOccasional heavy storms can last 2 to 3 days and cause severe damage and flooding. Check for severe weather warnings from the Uruguayan Institute of Meteorology (in Spanish). See UK Met Office forecasts for Uruguay.
\n\nForest fires can break out in the hottest months from December to March in dry areas. Extinguish cigarettes and fires appropriately. Call 911 to contact the fire brigade.
\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 Uruguay, 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\nIf you have a pre-existing medical condition and take regular prescribed medication, take enough for your visit. You can find most medication in pharmacies in large cities, but medicine for complex treatment may be unavailable in smaller towns.
\n\nYou will need a prescription from a local doctor to get prescribed medication. All medication in pharmacies, whether prescribed or not, is stored behind the counter and must be asked for.
\n\nMedical and dental treatment is expensive in Uruguay. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of medical treatment and repatriation.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Uruguay 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\nTelephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)
\n\nIf you need to report a crime, you can use a Uruguayan government online form (in Spanish).
\n\nIn some cases, there may be a requirement to visit a police station in person after reporting a crime online.
\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 Uruguay on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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