Living in Burkina Faso
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Burkina Faso, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Burkina Faso. Read about how our High Commission in Accra can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Burkinabé authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad
To stay up to date:
- sign-up to receive travel advice email alerts
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Before you go
See our travel advice for Burkina Faso for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Visas and residency
You will need a visa to enter Burkina Faso. If you live in the UK, you should apply for a visa directly from the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Brussels. Contrary to the information on the Embassy’s website, there is currently no other method of obtaining a visa for Burkina Faso in the UK.
You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
Check the entry requirements for Burkina Faso in our travel advice.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Burkina Faso.
Check the travel advice for Burkina Faso for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements. You should buy comprehensive Travel and Medical Insurance before you enter the country.
NOTE: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Medical facilities in Burkina Faso are very limited especially outside the capital city, Ouagadougou. For serious medical treatment, evacuation to Europe is necessary. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and/or medical evacuation.
If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for Burkina Faso. See our list of medical facilities in Burkina Faso.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication, you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Burkina Faso. Certain medicines may not be available in Burkina Faso (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Burkina Faso to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines
Local Laws and Customs
Please read through the travel advice for local laws and customs.
Safety and Security
Please read though the travel advice page about safety and security.
Society
French is the official language and is widely spoken.
The people of Burkina Faso are very proud of their cultural heritage. Always greet and acknowledge people as failing to do so is considered extremely impolite. It is poor etiquette to eat with the left hand or offer another person something with it. You should research and respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities.
Homosexuality is illegal in Burkina Faso. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.
Smoking is prohibited in virtually all indoor public places, indoor workplaces, and on all means of public transportation.
Working in Burkina Faso
A work visa and work permit are required to work in Burkina Faso. A work permit can be secured through a sponsor (employer), although long-term sponsorship can be difficult to get. Those working in Burkina Faso on a contract basis must get a work permit from each employer. Umbrella firms exist to make this procedure easier by formally employing foreign workers, but allowing them to work for a variety of companies throughout their stay. There are several umbrella organisations online that provide this type of service to foreign nationals going to Burkina Faso.
Studying in Burkina Faso
If you plan to study in Burkina Faso, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Burkina Faso to check what fees you have to pay.
Education
For people travelling to Burkina Faso with their children, there are a number of international schools available. Here is a non-exhaustive list of schools in Ouagadougou that offer international programs for students:
NOTE: The British High Commission, Accra does not specifically recommend/endorse any of these schools.
Tax
There is no double taxation agreement between the United Kingdom and Burkina Faso; therefore, you may be taxed on your UK income by the country in which you’re resident (Burkina Faso) and by the UK.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Burkina Faso. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Burkina Faso.
Read guidance on:
- tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
- tax on your UK income if you live abroad
- tax if you get a pension and live abroad
- paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you are abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Pensions
Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you retire in Burkina Faso, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
Currency
The currency of Burkina Faso is the West African franc with symbol and currency code XOF. Notes are in denominations of XOF10, 000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of XOF500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1.
Exchanging Money
You can exchange your money for XOF at most banks in Ouagadougou or at specialised stores known as Foreign Exchange Bureaus (Bureaux de Change). You may be able to exchange money at the airport in Ouagadougou, but the exchange rates may not be favourable.
Banking in Burkina Faso
A foreign citizen can open a bank account in Burkina Faso with the proper paperwork and initial outlay.
Some banks in Burkina Faso provide services such as online and mobile banking.
ATMs and Credit Cards
Credit cards are accepted by a few of the larger hotels and restaurants in Ouagadougou. You are unlikely to be able to use them anywhere outside the capital. There are a few ATMs in Ouagadougou (which accept Visa cards only – other brands are not accepted). In general, and in particular outside Ouagadougou, you should make sure you have enough cash available to you.
Accommodation and buying property
Foreigners may own land without any restrictions in Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso’s Constitution guarantees basic property rights. These cannot be infringed upon except in the case of public necessity, as defined by the government.
If necessary, you are advised to seek the services of an English-speaking lawyer in Burkina Faso for assistance.
Driving in Burkina Faso
Read the guidance on driving abroad.
If you are asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (e.g. the DVLA).
See guidance for travelling by road in Burkina Faso
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see taking a vehicle out of the UK.
Driving licence rules in Burkina Faso if you live there
You can drive in Burkina Faso using a UK driving licence or an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Burkina Faso, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
You cannot vote in Burkina Faso unless you are a citizen.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Burkina Faso, you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate. See register a birth abroad for more information.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to get a passport for your child
Deaths
If someone dies in Burkina Faso, read our guidance on:
- what to do if someone dies abroad
- Bereavement guidance for Burkina Faso
- English-speaking funeral directors in Burkina Faso
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad
Pets
If you are travelling to a non-EU country, you’ll need to get an export health certificate (EHC). You’ll also need to complete an export application form (EXA) if you’re in England, Scotland or Wales. An EHC checks that your pet meets the health requirements of the country you’re travelling to. You must nominate an official vet who will be sent the EHC. They’ll check your pet has met the correct health and identification requirements before you travel.
Pet import regulations for Burkina Faso require that you have:
- a Vaccination Health Certificate
- a rabies inoculation certificate (issued no less than 3 weeks or no more than 60 days prior to arrival)
- an Import Permit (from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security)
Emergencies
Dial:
- 17 for police
- 18 for ambulance
- 112 for fire service
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Burkina Faso, read the information for survivors of rape and sexual assault in Burkina Faso. See also guidance on victim of rape and sexual assault abroad.
If you are the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British High Commission Accra.
Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Last updated 28 March 2024 + show all updates
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Links to lawyers' list, funeral directors, and bereavement packs have been amended.
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First published.