Maximum Alerts / Benin
Level published by the State Department on 06.01.2026 · read 13 October 2026 · source checked daily
Benin — official level as of 13 October 2026: Level 2/4 ("Exercise Increased Caution"), from the U.S. Department of State. Maximum Insurance covers this country: hospital settled directly, unlimited repatriation, USD 1.5M, certificate on payment.
Every country has its own scale, so we ask them all the same question: is the whole country advised against?
An advisory covering only areas of the country does not raise the answer: it stays “No”, and the area is shown in the relevant column.
The level shown on this page — and across this site — is the one published by the U.S. State Department, from 1 (normal precautions) to 4 (do not travel). France and the United Kingdom publish their own advisories, with their own rules: they add to that level, they do not replace it.
You will be alerted only on the day the official level of this country changes.
2 recorded incidents (UCDP)hover, click to open it in the briefing
In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services first, then Maximum: +41 22 ••• •• •• — 24/7 support number, an adviser stays with you to the end.
The 207 country pages — hospitals, pharmacies, police, embassies, emergency numbers, official advice from four governments, health, safety in figures, events in progress — read around the city you name. Your policy — benefits, the six steps, claims, articles. The site — prices, certificate, subscription. Nothing else: what it does not know, it says so and hands you to an adviser.
What I say on the phone
What to do, in this order
In immediate danger, call local emergency services first. Then contact assistance without delay; before engaging a service, seek approval under your policy. Cover is confirmed by the insurer.
Ask assistance where to get care and whether direct cover can be arranged. It confirms the facility and seeks the insurer's approval under your policy. In immediate danger, call local emergency services first.
Even for a pain you meant to shrug off. Without a medical certificate written on the spot, the same day, the insurer cannot cover the event — a certificate written after you return does not count.
The hospital desk sends the request to assistance. Direct payment depends on the insurer's approval and the policy; the call alone does not guarantee it. Have the response confirmed before relying on no up-front payment.
In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services immediately. For an arranged transfer or repatriation, contact assistance: the insurer's medical team decides on measures under the policy. A medical flight booked without approval may not be reimbursed.
Even if everything went well on the ground. Send your invoices and the medical report within 30 days; after that, compensation may be reduced or refused.
Reading hospitals, doctors and pharmacies around this point…
Country dial code: +229
OpenStreetMap list read on 13.10.2026, straight-line distances. In an emergency: +41 22 ••• •• ••.
ophthalmology
near Rue de l'Inspection
near Boulevard du Cinquantenaire
near Boulevard Lagunaire
near Boulevard Djassin
near Boulevard Djassin
near Boulevard du Cinquantenaire
near Rue 40 RNIE 1 bis
near Avenue du Chemin de Fer
near Boulevard du Cinquantenaire
near Rue Victor Ballot
near RNIE 1 bis
near Avenue Liotard
near RNIE 1 bis
near RNIE 1 bis
near RNIE 1 bis
near Rue 40
Mo-Su 07:00-00:00
near RNIE 1 bis
near Avenue du Chemin de Fer
near Avenue du Chemin de Fer
Forecast: MET Norway (Norwegian Meteorological Institute, CC BY 4.0), grouped by day and formatted by Maximum.
10-13 0.8 · 10-14 1.0 · 10-15 1.5 · 10-16 1.8 · 10-17 1.9 · 10-18 1.6 · 10-19 1.2 m³/s
Simulated discharge: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), data rounded and formatted by Maximum. Contains modified Copernicus Emergency Management Service information 2026. For information only: this is not a flood warning; only national or regional authorities issue those.
No geolocated event in this country at this reading.
2 incidents recorded in the country, all pinned on the map above (zoom out) — the 2 closest to Porto-Novo are listed here, nearest first.
Source: UCDP — GEDEvent_v26_01_26_06.csv. Closed period, Clear coding, precise location.
National numbers (Wikidata, 2026 reading). On site, call local emergency services first, then Maximum: the insurer sends its payment guarantee to the hospital.
Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include Chickenpox (Varicella) Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, Tdap, or Td) Flu (influenza) Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Polio Shingles
All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see Your COVID-19 Vaccination for more information.
There is no longer active cholera transmission and vaccine is not recommended.
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Benin. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series. Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Benin.
CDC recommends that travelers going to Benin take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take. Transmission areas All Drug resistance 1 Chloroquine Species P. falciparum (primarily) P. malariae , P.
Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.
Recommended for travelers 2 months old or older traveling to areas of Benin that are part of the meningitis belt during the dry season (roughly December to June).
Monkeypox vaccination is recommended for any adult who anticipates any of the following activities during travel: Sexual or intimate contact with a new partner Sexual or intimate contact at a commercial sex venue, like a sex club or bathhouse Sexual or intimate contact in exchange for money, goods, drugs, or other trade Sexual or intimate contact in association with a large public event, such as a rave, party, or…
In Benin, poliovirus has been identified in the past year. Travelers to Benin are at increased risk of exposure to poliovirus.
Dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in Benin. If rabies exposures occur while in Benin, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.
Recommended for most travelers. Typhoid vaccine is not 100% effective. Practicing safe food and water habits , including washing hands at key times , can also help prevent typhoid fever .
CDC recommendations: Vaccine is recommended for all travelers ≥9 months old. Country entry requirements: Vaccine is required for all arriving travelers ≥9 months old Updated April 23, 2025
CDC Travelers' Health, re-read weekly — the recommendation depends on your age, vaccines and itinerary: confirm it with a doctor or a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before departure.CDC ↗read 10.10.2026
Moderate incidence: nothing special for a short stay.
Coverage too low to stop the virus circulating: check your two MMR doses before leaving.
Strong transmission: discuss preventive treatment with a doctor before leaving; bed net and repellent on site.
World Bank — latest published valuedata.worldbank.org ↗read 10.10.2026
Source: France Diplomatie (health advice, in French).
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
WHO: no outbreak reported for this country in the last 24 months (Disease Outbreak News).who.int ↗read 13.10.2026
FDFA (Switzerland) — medical care, in French
Les soins médicaux de base ne sont assurés que partiellement. Les hôpitaux exigent une garantie financière avant de commencer un traitement (carte de crédit ou paiement d’avance). En cas de maladie ou de blessure grave, il est recommandé de retourner en Suisse pour se faire soigner. Si vous prenez régulièrement des médicaments , emportez-en une quantité suffisante avec vous. N’oubliez toutefois pas que l’importation de médicaments contenant des stupéfiants (p. ex. méthadone) ou l'importation de substances utilisées pour traiter des troubles psychiques est soumise à des prescriptions spéciales dans de nombreux pays. Le cas échéant, renseignez-vous à ce sujet, avant le départ, auprès de la représentation étrangère compétente (ambassade ou consulat) et consultez la rubrique Liens voyages , où vous trouverez, entre autres, de plus amples informations sur ce thème ainsi que sur la médecine du voyage en général. Les informations concernant la propagation de maladies et les éventuelles mesures de protection à prendre sont fournies par le personnel médical et les centres de vaccination. Liens voyages
France Diplomatiesource ↗updated 15.09.2026 · read 13.10.2026
Consulter si besoin son médecin traitant ou un centre de vaccinations internationales (médecine des voyages) pour faire une évaluation de son état de santé et bénéficier de recommandations sanitaires, notamment sur les vaccinations. Consulter éventuellement son dentiste avant le départ.
Constituer sa pharmacie personnelle en conséquence et n’emporter dans ses bagages que les médicaments strictement nécessaires ; ne jamais consommer de médicaments achetés dans la rue (risque de contrefaçons). Les médicaments doivent être dans leur emballage d’origine avec les étiquettes originales, accompagnés d’une ordonnance portant le nom des médicaments en dénomination commune internationale (DCI). Il est indispensable de vérifier que les médicaments concernés sont autorisés dans le pays visité : pour plus d’informations, consulter la fiche Informations pratiques .
Les vaccins recommandés en France sont également indispensables lors d’un séjour à l’étranger : les maladies qu’ils préviennent circulent partout dans le monde, parfois même plus fréquemment qu’en France. Avant tout départ, le voyageur (adulte et enfant) doit donc d’abord s’assurer d’être à jour du calendrier vaccinal français, en particulier des vaccins contre la diphtérie, le tétanos, la poliomyélite, la coqueluche mais aussi contre la rougeole. Le carnet de vaccination peut être demandé à l’arrivée de certains pays.
Des vaccinations complémentaires peuvent être nécessaires :
Veiller à avoir avec soi son carnet de vaccination et à garder une copie à distance facilement récupérable par voie électronique, en cas de perte ou détérioration. Le carnet de vaccination peut être demandé pour vérification à l’arrivée dans le pays.
Il est donc conseillé de consulter son médecin traitant ou un centre de vaccinations internationales (médecine des voyages) suffisamment de temps avant le voyage.
La chikungunya est une maladie virale transmise par l’intermédiaire de moustiques infectés. Cette maladie se manifeste par l’apparition de symptômes grippaux (fièvre, douleurs musculaires et articulaires). En cas de signes cliniques, il est impératif de consulter immédiatement un médecin ; le traitement est uniquement symptomatique. Les moyens de prévention reposent sur la vaccination et la protection contre les piqûres de moustiques. Il est conseillé avant le départ de se référer à son médecin traitant et/ou à un centre de vaccination internationale.
Pour plus d’informations , consulter la rubrique risques sanitaires .
La dengue est une maladie virale transmise par piqûres de moustiques. Les symptômes sont de type grippal (fièvre, maux de tête, courbatures, parfois éruption cutanée). En cas de signes cliniques, il est impératif de consulter immédiatement un médecin. Il n’existe pas de traitement curatif. La prise en charge médicale repose uniquement sur le traitement des symptômes. Il faut impérativement éviter la prise d’anti-inflammatoire. La prévention individuelle repose essentiellement sur les moyens de protection contre les piqûres de moustiques. La vaccination des voyageurs peut être indiquée dans certains cas. Il est conseillé de se référer, avant son départ, à son médecin traitant et /ou à un centre de vaccination internationale.
Pour plus d’informations, consulter le site du ministère de la Santé et le site de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé .
Il s’agit d’une maladie virale transmise par piqûres de moustiques. Les symptômes sont variables, allant du syndrome pseudo-grippal (fièvre, frissons, douleurs musculaires, maux de tête…) à des formes plus graves (vomissements de sang, jaunisse, convulsions, coma…)…
Le choléra est une infection digestive bactérienne qui se transmet par ingestion d’aliments mal cuits (fruits de mer, par exemple) ou souillés (fruits et légumes) et/ ou ingestion d’eau contaminée. Cette maladie, dite « des mains sales », se traduit par des troubles digestifs sévères (diarrhée liquide abondante, crampes abdominales, vomissements), un état de faiblesse générale et parfois de la fièvre.
La prévention repose sur la vaccination et le respect des règles d’hygiène alimentaire (se laver régulièrement les mains, ne consommer que de l’eau en bouteille, peler les fruits et légumes, manger de la nourriture cuite ; utilisation des installations sanitaires). Les personnes présentant les signes de la maladie doivent consulter un médecin en urgence.
Pour plus d’informations, consulter le site Santé publique France et le site du ministère de la Santé .
Des cas de choléra sont régulièrement signalés durant la saison des pluies, notamment dans les zones marécageuses du Bénin.
La fièvre de Lassa est une maladie hémorragique virale, semblable à Ebola. La maladie se transmet aux humains par contact avec l’urine ou les excréments des rongeurs infectés ou par ingestion de nourriture contaminée. La transmission interhumaine est également possible par voie sexuelle et par contact direct avec les liquides et sécrétions humaines. Souvent asymptomatique, la maladie peut être grave et potentiellement mortelle. La durée d’incubation est de 2 à 21 jours après l’infection. Les principaux signes et symptômes sont : fièvre, vomissements, nausées, douleurs abdominales, céphalées, douleurs musculaires et articulaires, fatigue intense. Dans les cas sévères peuvent apparaitre des saignements et des atteintes neurologiques (encéphalite). Il n’existe aucun…
Pour plus d’informations, consulter le site du ministère en charge de la Santé et le site de l'Assurance Maladie .
Pour plus d’informations, consulter le site du ministère en charge de la Santé .
Health — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 15.12.2025 · read 13.10.2026
Before you travel check that:
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Call 118 and ask for an ambulance.
Outside Cotonou, there may not be an emergency response. You are likely to have to get local advice and arrange transport to the nearest medical centre.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
See what health risks you’ll face in Benin , including:
The 2022 UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic estimated that around 72,000 adults aged 15 or over in Benin were living with HIV. The prevalence percentage was estimated at around 0.8% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.25%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro .
Medical facilities are poor, particularly in rural areas. Emergency medical facilities are extremely limited. For serious medical treatment, medical evacuation is necessary. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
FCDO has a list of medical providers in Benin where some staff will speak English.
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro .
TravelHealthPro ↗ · CDC ↗read 10.10.2026
Level 2 - Global PolioCDC ↗read 10.10.2026Some international destinations have circulating poliovirus. Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines. Country List : Afghanistan, Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan,…
Level 1 - Global MeaslesCDC ↗read 10.10.2026Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel. Country List : Afghanistan, Benin, Cameroon, Central African…
Places read from OpenStreetMap, within a circle of about 12 km: phone, email, address, website and hours when the source publishes them. No customer reviews, that source has none. Straight-line distances.
Notices vary by bank and vintage — yours prevails. On the right: the Maximum contract (public documents).
The country is not uniform: 3 regions advised against, fully or partly, by at least one official reading. Porto-Novo is not one of them.
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
“(France Diplomatie)”: the level comes from its text, in French, quoted below region by region.
the trip stays outside the advised-against regions. Any move into a red or orange region calls for a new, written decision. The areas quoted without a region (border, routes, localities) call for the same decision.
Global Affairs Canada
Avoid non-essential travel to the departments of Atacora and Alibori due to the threat of terrorism and the risk of kidnapping.
Foreign Office
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the Alibori and Atacora departments.
France Diplomatie (in French)
une bande allant de la ville de Kandi à Tchaourou comprenant la ville de Nikki, dans les départements de l’Alibori et du Borgou.
Global Affairs Canada
Avoid non-essential travel to the departments of Atacora and Alibori due to the threat of terrorism and the risk of kidnapping.
Foreign Office
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the Alibori and Atacora departments.
France Diplomatie (in French)
le centre du département de l’Atakora, y compris les villes de Tanguiéta, Natitingou, Boukoumbé et Kouandé, où le risque d’enlèvement visant les Occidentaux est avéré ;
France Diplomatie (in French)
une bande allant de la ville de Kandi à Tchaourou comprenant la ville de Nikki, dans les départements de l’Alibori et du Borgou.
Global Affairs Canada
within 50 km of the border with Nigeria, north of the town of Nikki in Borgou Department
Global Affairs Canada — Advised against — all travel
within 50 km of the border with Burkina Faso
Global Affairs Canada — Advised against — all travel
within 50 km of the border with Niger and all the area north of the Interstate 7 motorway
Foreign Office — Advised against — all travel
FCDO advises against all travel to the Parc du W National Park and the hunting zones of Mékrou and Djona. The park is tri-national, sharing an open border with Burkina Faso and Niger. There is a risk of terrorist attacks and kidnapping throughout the park.
Foreign Office — Advised against — all travel
the area between the Parc du W and the border with Niger
Foreign Office — Advised against — all travel
the Pendjari National Park and adjacent hunting grounds
Foreign Office — Advised against — all travel
all other areas within 5km of the border with Burkina Faso
Foreign Office — Advised against — all but essential travel
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the area between the Interstate Highway (RNIE) 2 from Tchaourou to Malanville and the Benin-Nigeria border, due to increasing criminality.
France Diplomatie (in French) — Advised against — all travel
les zones frontalières du Burkina Faso et du Niger ;
France Diplomatie (in French) — Advised against — all travel
la totalité des parcs nationaux de la Pendjari et du W, les zones mitoyennes à ces parcs ;
France Diplomatie (in French) — Advised against — all travel
la ville de Banikoara et ses environs immédiats ;
France Diplomatie (in French) — Advised against — all travel
la frontière nord-ouest avec le Togo ;
France Diplomatie (in French) — Advised against — all travel
la frontière nord-est avec le Nigéria jusqu’aux environs de la ville de Nikki.
Global Affairs Canada — Open Government Licence – Canada (24.09.2026) · Foreign Office — Open Government Licence v3.0 · France Diplomatie (21.04.2026) · Natural Earth
No located event in this reading.
Last change: FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the remaining areas of the Alibori and Atacora departments. FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel and all travel to other areas in Benin (‘Warnings and insurance’ page
Updated 06.01.2026
Exercise increased caution in Benin due to unrest , crime , terrorism , and kidnapping . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do Not Travel to areas of Benin bordering Burkina Faso ; Niger ; and the Nigerian states of Kebbi , Niger , and Kwara due to crime , terrorism , and kidnapping .
Do not travel to the border region in northern or northeastern Benin for any reason.
U.S. government employees working in Benin are not allowed to travel to the following areas without Ambassador approval due to safety risks:
Most coastal and southern areas of Benin are safe. However, violent crime can occur in remote locations. These crimes often happen at night and include kidnapping, assault, and armed robbery.
Stay aware of your surroundings in:
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Benin. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.
Terrorist and armed groups have attacked areas near the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger. There have also been kidnappings for ransom in areas of the Alibori and Borgou Departments near the Nigerian border.
Terrorists may target:
There have been instances of military activity and civil unrest that resulted in violence in Benin. This type of…
10-13 0.8 · 10-14 1.0 · 10-15 1.5 · 10-16 1.8 · 10-17 1.9 · 10-18 1.6 · 10-19 1.2 m³/s
Simulated discharge: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), data rounded and formatted by Maximum. Contains modified Copernicus Emergency Management Service information 2026. For information only: this is not a flood warning; only national or regional authorities issue those.
The level is national. Risk areas are in the state advisories below.
No major event in progress is located in this country at this morning's check.
Over 1 January 2026 → 30 June 2026, UCDP (Uppsala University) recorded 2 geolocated violent incidents in this country, for 20 documented deaths.
Most affected areas
Alibori department 1 · Atacora department 1
Most recent incidents
Source: UCDP Georeferenced Event Dataset (Uppsala Conflict Data Program), file GEDEvent_v26_01_26_06.csv, CC BY 4.0 licence. We keep only incidents UCDP codes as "Clear" and whose location is precise enough to be placed — about 58% of the dataset. An incident may be revised, moved or withdrawn by UCDP in a later release: these figures describe a closed period, not a live situation.
Reading: The homicide rate is above Switzerland's, without being out of range. On the road, 12 times more deaths than in Switzerland: road crashes are the leading cause of death of healthy travellers (CDC) — seat belt, no night driving, a driver or a taxi from a rank.
World Bank (UNODC for homicides, WHO for roads) — latest published valuedata.worldbank.org ↗read 10.10.2026
What we locate on the map are events in progress that have real coordinates: USGS earthquakes, GDACS disasters, NOAA storms and open NASA EONET events. Hover a dot for details, click to open it in this briefing.
French passport — France Diplomatie
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
Some areas of the country are formally advised against.France Diplomatie ↗updated 15.09.2026 · read 13.10.2026
Vigilance areas — France Diplomatie (in French) updated 21.04.2026official map ↗updated 15.09.2026 · read 13.10.2026
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Dernière actualisation le 21/04/2026, information toujours valable à la date du jour
En raison d’activités possibles de groupes armés et du risque d’enlèvement, il est formellement déconseillé de se rendre dans :
Les zones suivantes sont déconseillées sauf raison impérative :
Le reste du pays est placé en zone de vigilance renforcée.
Une vigilance particulière est conseillée dans les zones frontalières ainsi que dans les zones isolées ou à faible densité de population.
A Cotonou, il convient d’éviter la nuit les quartiers du port et ceux qui longent des voies ferrées du centre-ville. Les plages de la capitale ne sont pas sûres, de jour comme de nuit. Il est recommandé d’être vigilant dans les lieux très fréquentés, notamment le marché de Dantokpa où les vols sont fréquents.
Les accidents de la route constituent une cause importante de mortalité, souvent liés à la vétusté des véhicules en circulation (notamment des poids lourds), au mauvais état de certaines routes, ainsi qu’au non-respect des limitations de vitesse. Il est déconseillé de circuler de nuit, la signalisation étant souvent absente, les routes peu éclairées et les véhicules circulant régulièrement tous feux éteints.
Des « coupeurs de route » peuvent sévir sur les axes secondaires, dans les zones isolées. Il convient d’éviter de circuler sur ces routes, notamment la nuit.
La criminalité est peu élevée au Bénin. Toutefois, des cambriolages et des agressions, parfois avec violence, ont été signalés. Il convient de rester vigilant, de surveiller ses objets personnels et d’éviter les déplacements de nuit, particulièrement seul et à pied.
La cybercriminalité est en augmentation au Bénin. Il convient de se montrer vigilant, notamment lorsqu’une aide financière ou un achat est sollicité.
D’une manière générale, il est recommandé de ne pas effectuer de versements dès lors qu’il existe le moindre doute. Avant tout achat, il convient de se renseigner sur l’existence au Bénin du fournisseur, de la société commerciale ou de la personne privée, soit auprès du ministère de l’industrie et du commerce extérieur, soit sur des annuaires internationaux en ligne.
Compte tenu du contexte régional, le risque terroriste ne peut être totalement écarté au Bénin. En mai 2019, deux touristes français ont été enlevés dans le parc national de la Pendjari et leur guide tué. Des attaques aux frontières nord du Bénin ont causé, depuis novembre 2021, plusieurs morts, notamment parmi les forces de défense et les gardes forestiers. Les attentats de Grand Bassam en 2016 en Côte d’Ivoire et les évènements de 2018 au Burkina Faso ont également montré que les groupes terroristes de la région ciblent les lieux de divertissement et hôtels où séjournent les étrangers. Il est recommandé d’observer la plus grande vigilance et de s’assurer que les accès à ces lieux sont sécurisés.
De manière générale, il est recommandé de :
Les baignades sont déconseillées toute l’année sur les plages du littoral, en raison de la barre et des courants violents qui font plusieurs victimes chaque année.
Full text of the Security pagediplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 15.09.2026 · read 13.10.2026
Swiss passport — FDFA (Switzerland), in French
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
FDFA update note — Le chapitre Derniers développements a été enlevé (élections 2026). (published 01.05.2026)
La situation politique était marquée par un contexte sécuritaire tendu et s’est encore aggravée à la suite de la tentative de coup d’État du 7 décembre 2025. Après l’élection présidentielle, la situation politique s’est stabilisée. Dans le nord du pays, la situation sécuritaire demeure toutefois volatile. Evitez les manifestations de n’importe quel type, car des débordements sont possibles. Les troubles et barrages routiers peuvent s'accompagner de violences. Dans l'éventualité de barrages routiers ou de perturbations du trafic, il est recommandé aux personnes en voyage de se renseigner sur place sur d’autres possibilités de déplacement ou attendre le cas échéant que la situation se normalise. En cas de barrages, il est très difficile pour l'Agence consulaire suisse de Cotonou – voire impossible selon les cas – d’aider les personnes de nationalité suisse à sortir des régions concernées. Il y a un risque d’attentats terroristes sur tout le territoire. Le risque est particulièrement élevé dans le nord du pays (voir le chapitre Risques régionaux spécifiques). Prenez également en considération la rubrique Terrorisme et enlèvements Avant et pendant le voyage, informez-vous au travers des médias et par le biais de votre tour-opérateur sur le développement de la situation. Tenez-vous à l’écart des manifestations et des rassemblements de foule de tout genre et conformez-vous aux directives des autorités locales et de votre guide (p. ex. couvre-feux).
La description des zones à risques repose sur des données approximatives; les risques ne peuvent se restreindre à des zones délimitées. Nord du pays: La situation sécuritaire dans le nord du Bénin se détériore de plus en plus. Dans la zone frontalière avec le Burkina Faso, le nord du Togo et le Niger, ainsi que dans et autour les parcs nationaux de W et de la Pendjari, les attaques et les embuscades se multiplient. Il existe également un risque d'enlèvement.
Avant et pendant le voyage dans les autres régions du nord , renseignez-vous par le biais de votre tour-opérateur ou une personne de confiance sur place sur la situation sécuritaire actuelle. Une grande prudence est de mise. Des bandes armées et des groupes terroristes sévissent dans le nord du Bénin. Les attentats terroristes et les attaques armées font régulièrement des victimes. Le risque d’enlèvement est très élevé.
La petite délinquance (le vol à la tire et le vol à l'arraché) est présente, surtout à Cotonou. On signale également des vols de véhicules sous la menace ou avec recours à la violence. Il est notamment recommandé de prendre les précautions suivantes:
Des escroqueries en provenance d’Afrique de l’Ouest se produisent régulièrement. Les auteurs usent de toutes sortes de motifs par e-mail pour inciter leurs victimes à effectuer des versements d’argent (cybercriminalité). Souvent, il s'agit d'intentions frauduleuses, par exemple lorsque:
Des actes de piraterie ont été commis à de multiples reprises dans le Golfe de Guinée y inclus les eaux du Bénin. Consultez les informations spécifiques: Risques maritimes et piraterie
Il faut s'attendre à de fortes pluies saisonnières. Ces intempéries peuvent provoquer des inondations et des glissements de terrain et endommager les infrastructures. La circulation peut s’en trouver temporairement perturbée. Consultez les prévisions météorologiques et suivez les avertissements et les instructions des autorités locales. Météo Bénin
FDFA travel advice, in French, valid on 13.10.2026eda.admin.ch ↗updated 01.05.2026 · read 13.10.2026
British passport — Foreign Office (UK)
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
Regions covered by the Foreign Officegov.uk ↗updated 15.12.2025 · read 13.10.2026

Warnings — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 15.12.2025 · read 13.10.2026
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
FCDO advises against all travel to the Parc du W National Park and the hunting zones of Mékrou and Djona. The park is tri-national, sharing an open border with Burkina Faso and Niger. There is a risk of terrorist attacks and kidnapping throughout the park.
FCDO also advises against all travel to:
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the area between the Interstate Highway (RNIE) 2 from Tchaourou to Malanville and the Benin-Nigeria border, due to increasing criminality.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the Alibori and Atacora departments.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel .
Regional risks — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 15.12.2025 · read 13.10.2026
This section has safety advice for regions of Benin. It only covers regions where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) has specific advice.
You should also read FCDO ’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice .
FCDO advises against all travel to the Parc du W National Park and the connecting hunting zones of Meêkrou and Djona. The park is tri-national, sharing an open border with Burkina Faso and Niger. There is a risk of terrorist attacks throughout the park.
FCDO also advises against all travel to:
There is a threat of kidnapping from terrorist groups operating in the region. There is a heightened risk of kidnap in Benin’s northern border region.
The authorities sometimes set curfews in northern Benin. Keep up to date with security measures and follow the advice of the local security authorities.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the area between the Interstate Highway (RNIE) 2 from Tchaourou to Malanville and the Benin-Nigeria border, due to increasing criminality.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the Alibori and Atacora departments, due to increasing criminality.
Safety — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 15.12.2025 · read 13.10.2026
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.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad .
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Benin.
Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals such as:
Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
There is a risk of terrorist attacks in the northern border regions, including throughout the Parc du W National Park, which is tri-national and shares an open border between Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. Recent incidents in the region have targeted military bases and security installations. See Regional risks .
Examples of recent significant attacks include:
Foreigners, government officials and civilians have been kidnapped by groups originating in bordering countries including Niger and Burkina Faso. Groups include Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), who may travel across the region’s porous borders. There is a heightened risk of kidnap in areas bordering the Sahel, this includes northern Benin.
In 2019, 2 French tourists and their Beninese guide were kidnapped from Pendjari National Park. The guide was found dead, but the hostages were rescued in Burkina Faso a few days later.
British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.
The long-standing policy of the British government is to not make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.
Political demonstrations and unrest can occur without warning. Benin experienced an attempted coup on 7 December. Avoid all demonstrations, large crowds, political gatherings and rallies. In the event of unrest, monitor local media and follow instructions and announcements from the local authorities. Comply with any checks or security measures, including curfews. The authorities may introduce these at short notice.
Street crime, including theft and mugging, is common in Cotonou. Pickpockets often operate in places visited by international travellers.
To reduce your personal risk:
American passport — U.S. Department of State
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
Benin - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution 2026-01-06travel.state.gov ↗updated 06.01.2026 · read 13.10.2026
Exercise increased caution in Benin due to unrest , crime , terrorism , and kidnapping . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do Not Travel to areas of Benin bordering Burkina Faso ; Niger ; and the Nigerian states of Kebbi , Niger , and Kwara due to crime , terrorism , and kidnapping .
Do not travel to the border region in northern or northeastern Benin for any reason.
U.S. government employees working in Benin are not allowed to travel to the following areas without Ambassador approval due to safety risks:
Most coastal and southern areas of Benin are safe. However, violent crime can occur in remote locations. These crimes often happen at night and include kidnapping, assault, and armed robbery.
Stay aware of your surroundings in:
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Benin. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.
Terrorist and armed groups have attacked areas near the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger. There have also been kidnappings for ransom in areas of the Alibori and Borgou Departments near the Nigerian border.
Terrorists may target:
There have been instances of military activity and civil unrest that resulted in violence in Benin. This type of…
Global Affairs Canada — additional reading
Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
Avoid all travel to the following areas due to the threat of terrorism, banditry, and the risk of kidnapping:
Avoid non-essential travel to the departments of Atacora and Alibori due to the threat of terrorism and the risk of kidnapping.
Avoid non-essential travel to within 50 km of the Nigerian border south of the town of Nikki in the Borgou Department.
Open Government Licence – Canada · September 24, 2026 08:53 EDTtravel.gc.ca ↗updated 24.09.2026 · read 13.10.2026
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
Global Affairs Canada — written for Canadian travellers, valid for all
You must abide by local laws. Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect a jail sentence and a heavy fine. Drugs, alcohol and travel
The laws of Benin law do not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not widely accepted in Benin. Homosexual behaviour could lead to arrest under laws such as indecent exposure. 2SLGBTQI+ persons should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Benin. Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Benin. If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Benin by an abducting parent:
If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies. Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.
You must carry an international driving permit to drive in Benin. If you have an accident and injure someone, take the person directly to hospital. If witnesses to the accident react with hostility, go immediately to the nearest police station. More about the International Driving Permit
To avoid offending local sensitivities:
Photography of sensitive installations is prohibited. This includes:
The currency is the West African Financial Community franc, or CFA franc (XOF). Benin has a cash-based economy. Credit cards are generally accepted in major hotels, but rarely in restaurants and other shops. ATMs compatible with foreign cards are available in banks and some large hotels but are rare outside the major cities.
Open Government Licence – Canada · September 24, 2026 08:53 EDTtravel.gc.ca ↗updated 24.09.2026 · read 13.10.2026
Foreign Office — laws and cultural differences
Benin is one of the main centres of Voodoo practices, and Voodoo culture is prevalent. You should research and respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. Most people in Benin celebrate Voodoo Festival, an annual public holiday in early January. Make sure you’ve arranged travel and accommodation as options are limited during the festival. Watch out for pickpockets.
Possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs is a serious offence and can result in a lengthy prison sentence and heavy fines.
It is illegal to take photos at or near sensitive or government sites, such as military installations or the airport.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal, but same-sex relationships are not widely accepted. Showing affection in public can receive negative attention. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
You should politely and firmly decline requests for ‘gifts’ from officials to facilitate administrative matters as this could implicate you in illegal activity.
Open Government Licence v3.0gov.uk ↗updated 15.12.2025 · read 13.10.2026
FDFA (Switzerland) — laws and customs, in French
Entre autres, sont punissables:
Les infractions à la loi sur les stupéfiants, y compris la détention de minimes quantités de drogue quelle qu'elle soit, sont durement réprimées. Les conditions de détention sont précaires.
Renseignez-vous dans les guides de voyages, auprès de votre agence ou directement sur place, sur les codes de conduite et les conventions à respecter. Demandez toujours avant de photographier des personnes ou des groupes de personnes. Les relations homosexuelles sont réprouvées de manière générale.
FDFA travel advice, in Frencheda.admin.ch ↗updated 01.05.2026 · read 13.10.2026
What it changes for you: Air acceptable at this hour: nothing special to plan.
Reading 22:00 (Africa/Porto-Novo)Open-Meteo ↗updated 13.10.2026 · read 13.10.2026
Air quality and UV: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), data rounded and formatted by Maximum. Contains modified Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information 2026. Neither the European Commission nor ECMWF is responsible for any use that may be made of the Copernicus information or data it contains.
Reading: With 0.2 physicians per 1,000 people (96% fewer than Switzerland), the nearest hospital does not always have the capacity for a serious case: evacuation to an adequate centre is the rule, not the exception — that is what unlimited evacuation and repatriation cover. Health spending of 47 USD per person (Switzerland: 11,784) goes with private hospitals that bill foreigners in hard currency and ask for a guarantee before admission: the direct payment guarantee is what avoids the deposit.
World Bank — latest published value, year per indicatordata.worldbank.org ↗read 10.10.2026
French passport — France Diplomatie
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
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Toutes les mesures de restrictions sanitaires pour l’entrée sur le territoire ont été levées.
Les ressortissants français souhaitant se rendre au Bénin sont soumis à une obligation de visa. Ils doivent disposer d’un passeport d’une durée de validité d’au moins 6 mois après la date de retour en France, d’un billet retour et d’un carnet de vaccination attestant du vaccin contre la fièvre jaune.
Le gouvernement béninois a mis en place le 23 avril 2018 un « visa électronique » (« e-Visa »). Les demandes de visas peuvent désormais être effectuées en ligne . Après validation du dossier, le voyageur reçoit son visa électronique par courriel, sous forme de code barre.
Moyennant le paiement de frais supplémentaires, les voyageurs conservent la possibilité d’effectuer leurs démarches auprès de la représentation consulaire du Bénin de leur pays de résidence.
La règlementation douanière oblige toute personne qui importe un objet par voie terrestre, aérienne ou maritime à le déclarer et à payer les taxes douanières correspondantes. Le recours à une société de transit est obligatoire pour procéder au dédouanement : seul un commissionnaire agréé par les services douaniers est habilité à le faire.
Lorsque le médicament importé est exclusivement à usage personnel (traitement curatif ou préventif), donc en quantité raisonnable ne laissant pas soupçonner un commerce illicite, il n’est soumis à aucune réglementation. L’importation en grande quantité et à titre commercial est soumise aux autorisations préalables des responsables du secteur de la santé.
La vaccination antirabique est obligatoire pour introduire un chien ou un chat au Bénin. Le carnet de vaccination de l’animal doit attester qu’elle a été pratiquée depuis plus d’un mois et moins d’un an.
L’exportation d’espèces animales ou de morceaux d’animaux protégés au sens de la convention de Washington sur le commerce des espèces en danger (ivoire, écailles de pangolins, peaux, etc.) est strictement contrôlée et sanctionnée.
Entry and stay pagediplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 15.09.2026 · read 13.10.2026
Swiss passport — FDFA (Switzerland)
The FDFA does not publish entry requirements: they are set out by the destination's embassy or consulate in Switzerland — check them before booking, passport in hand. As a guide, the French and British requirements below describe the same rules as seen by two other governments.eda.admin.ch ↗updated 01.05.2026 · read 13.10.2026
British passport — Foreign Office (UK)
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
Entry requirements — rules for a British passportForeign Office ↗updated 15.12.2025 · read 13.10.2026
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Benin’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Benin set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Beninese Embassy in France (in French).
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You 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.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement . See Dual Citizenship .
You must have a visa to enter or travel through Benin.
For further information on entry requirements, contact the Beninese Embassy in France (in French).
Apply for a Benin visa online at least 7 days before your arrival date. You will get your visa when you arrive at Cotonou airport.
You cannot get entry visas for Nigeria, Ghana or Togo in Benin. For onward travel you must apply for visas before travelling to Benin.
To enter Benin, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination.
For more details about health entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Benin guide .
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Benin (in French). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
American passport — U.S. Department of State
The State Department publishes the requirements ("Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements") on its country page, which our servers cannot read. Read it before you go; as a guide, the French and British requirements below describe the same rules as seen by two other governments.travel.state.gov ↗updated 06.01.2026 · read 13.10.2026
For each risk, the official texts themselves: what is happening, then, where they say so, what to do.
What the texts say · Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Benin. Street crime, including theft and mugging, is common in Cotonou.
What the texts say · Be alert to the risk of carjacking both in Cotonou and on roads outside towns and cities. Roadblocks are common throughout the country.
What the texts say · In the south, there are two rainy seasons: from April to mid-July and mid-September to October. Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services.
What the texts say · Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. It is illegal to take photos at or near sensitive or government sites, such as military installations or the airport.
What the texts say · Scam artists target foreign visitors and residents.
What the texts say · Political demonstrations and unrest can occur without warning. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time.
Sentences copied word for word from the official texts cited, chosen for the destination; the level is our reading. The full texts, at each source:Foreign Office ↗updated 15.12.2025 · read 13.10.2026 (updated 15.12.2025 · read 27.09.2026)Global Affairs Canada ↗updated 24.09.2026 · read 13.10.2026 (updated 24.09.2026 · read 27.09.2026)
Reading: The homicide rate is above Switzerland's, without being out of range. On the road, 12 times more deaths than in Switzerland: road crashes are the leading cause of death of healthy travellers (CDC) — seat belt, no night driving, a driver or a taxi from a rank.
World Bank (UNODC for homicides, WHO for roads) — latest published valuedata.worldbank.org ↗read 10.10.2026
Time zone: IANA and timezone-boundary-builder (ODbL) · RESTCountries · EmergencyNumberAPI · Wikidata · European Central Bank
Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Photon search by komoot.
FDFA (Switzerland) — transport and specific advice, in French
La nuit, renoncez aux déplacements à travers le pays. En raison de l’état des routes, souvent mauvais, le risque d’accident est très élevé une fois la nuit tombée. Les contrôles routiers sont fréquents. Les standards de sécurité des moyens de transport publics sont souvent insuffisants. Les moto-taxis présentent un risque d’accident considérable. Il arrive que les points de passage des frontières soient temporairement fermés à court terme, par exemple afin d’endiguer la propagation de maladies. Informez-vous auprès des autorités locales ou directement auprès des postes-frontières.
FDFA travel advice, in Frencheda.admin.ch ↗updated 01.05.2026 · read 13.10.2026
Maximum policyholder: before paying anything, call the 24/7 number. If you are admitted for more than 24 h, Maximum sends its direct payment guarantee to the hospital (art. 2.12).
+41 22 ••• •• •• — Full number in your client areaNone of these facilities is a Maximum Insurance “partner”, and none is presented as waiving upfront payment: this list is a reading of public map data, nothing more. A direct payment guarantee is arranged CASE BY CASE by our assistance desk, facility by facility and when the need arises — one number, +41 22 ••• •• ••.
List read from OpenStreetMap on 13.10.2026.
CDC Travelers' Health recommendations, most important first. They depend on your age, vaccines and itinerary: confirm them with a doctor or a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Details, disease by disease ↗cdc.gov ↗read 10.10.2026
The health system — With 0.2 physicians per 1,000 people (96% fewer than Switzerland), the nearest hospital does not always have the capacity for a serious case: evacuation to an adequate centre is the rule, not the exception — that is what unlimited evacuation and repatriation cover. Health spending of 47 USD per person (Switzerland: 11,784) goes with private hospitals that bill foreigners in hard currency and ask for a guarantee before admission: the direct payment guarantee is what avoids the deposit.
Back home — a fever in the following weeks should be told to a doctor, naming the country.
Forecast: MET Norway (Norwegian Meteorological Institute, CC BY 4.0), grouped by day and formatted by Maximum.
French passport — French embassy and consulates
phone not published
Avenue Pape Jean-Paul II, BP 966, Cotonou
phone not published
Useful contacts listed by France Diplomatie (in French)diplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 15.09.2026 · read 13.10.2026
Updated: 15 September 2026
OpenStreetMap
Swiss passport — Swiss embassy and consulates
0123, Bénin
+229 21 31 47 37
http://www.cooperation-suisse.admin.ch/ben ↗
Numéro d'urgence général: 166 Représentations suisses à l’étranger: En cas de situation d’urgence à l’étranger, vous pouvez vous adresser à la représentation suisse la plus proche ou à la Helpline DFAE. Ambassade de Suisse au Ghana Bureau de coopération suisse et agence consulaire au Bénin Helpline DFAE Représentations étrangères en Suisse: Il n'y a pas de représentation de la République du Bénin en Suisse. Des informations sur les prescriptions d’entrée (documents d’identité admis, visa, etc.) peuvent être obtenues auprès de l'Ambassade de la République du Bénin à Paris. Celle-ci peut également vous renseigner sur les dispositions douanières pour l’importation et l’exportation d’animaux et de marchandises: appareils électroniques, souvenirs, médicaments, etc.: 87 Avenue Victor Hugo, 75116 Paris, Tel. +33 01 45 00 98 82 Bénin e-Visa
OpenStreetMap · DFAE
American passport — U.S. embassy and consulates
01 BP 2012 Marina Avenue, Cotonou
+229-21-30-75-00
https://bj.usembassy.gov/ ↗updated 06.01.2026 · read 13.10.2026
OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap
Getting help — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 15.12.2025 · read 13.10.2026
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.
Fire and ambulance: 118
Police: 117
Emergency response is very limited and you may need to ask for local advice to get emergency help.
Contact 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.
See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
Find out about call charges
For emergencies. If pronunciation fails, show the screen — or the printed page.
| Help! | Au secours ! |
| Call an ambulance! | Appelez une ambulance ! |
| I need a doctor. | J'ai besoin d'un médecin. |
| Where is the nearest hospital? | Où est l'hôpital le plus proche ? |
| Call the police! | Appelez la police ! |
| I am allergic to penicillin. | Je suis allergique à la pénicilline. |
| I have international medical insurance. | J'ai une assurance médicale internationale. |
| I want to contact my embassy. | Je voudrais contacter mon ambassade. |
| Please take me to this address. | Emmenez-moi à cette adresse, s'il vous plaît. |
| Do you speak English? | Parlez-vous anglais ? |
Translations by Maximum Insurance, original script and transliteration.
Actions to take before each professional trip abroad.
Live alerts and level changes, each with its official source. Continuously updated.
En raison de possibles incursions de groupes armés terroristes et du risque d’attaque ou d’enlèvement, il est formellement déconseillé de se rendre dans les zones frontalières du Burkina Faso, d’une grande partie du Niger et d’une partie du Nigéria, y compris les parcs nationaux de la Pendjari et du W, et les zones mitoyennes à ces parcs. Ce niveau de vigilance (« formellement déconseillé », en rouge sur la carte) est incompatible avec les activités touristiques. Avant tout…
France Diplomatie (in French) · posted 1 October 2025 · updated 16 September 2026diplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 15.09.2026 · read 13.10.2026Health – editorial change
September 24, 2026 08:53 EDTtravel.gc.ca ↗updated 24.09.2026 · read 13.10.2026No level change recorded for this country since the log opened. The live alerts above are updated continuously.
Level 2/4 — Exercise Increased Caution, U.S. Department of State, retrieved on 13 October 2026.
Sourcestravel.state.gov · updated 06.01 · read 13.10France Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 13.10DFAE · updated 01.05 · read 13.10207-country comparison
An area advised against does not rule out the country.
SourcesFrance Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 13.10Foreign Office · updated 15.12 · read 13.10State Department · updated 06.01 · read 13.10
The rules depend on the passport, not on the destination alone.
SourcesFrance Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 13.10Foreign Office · updated 15.12 · read 13.10State Department · updated 06.01 · read 13.10
For a Schengen visa, yes: at least €30,000 of travel medical insurance (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, art. 15).
SourcesRegulation (EC) 810/2009, art. 15General conditions, policy 20 00 479
VIP Pack — $990 for twelve months, unlimited trips.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479OpenStreetMap · read 10.10
Six steps, in this order.
SourcesSpecial conditions 01.26General conditions, policy 20 00 479
Local emergency services: police 117 · ambulance 112 · fire 118
SourcesEmergencyNumberAPI · Wikidata · read 08.10OpenStreetMap · read 10.10
At today's level 2/4, card by card:
SourcesAmex Platinum France T&Cs, 01.2025 — general exclusion n° 11BNP Paribas Visa Infinite notice (policy PT7), 04.2025 — comFortuneo World Elite Mastercard notice, 01.2026 — art. 5.5 '
A health plan reimburses at home; here, the hospital asks for a payment guarantee before admission.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
Around Porto-Novo: 41 hospitals and clinics, 27 with a 24/7 emergency room, 26 pharmacies, 19 doctors' practices (OpenStreetMap, hospital list read on 13.10.2026).
The sourced detail is under Medical network › Health: vaccines, diseases present, altitude, outbreaks.
SourcesCDC Travelers' Health · read 10.10France Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 13.10OMS · read 13.10Foreign Office · updated 15.12 · read 13.10
0.2 physicians per 1,000 people (2023) versus 4.5 in Switzerland.
SourcesWorld Bank · read 10.10General conditions, policy 20 00 479
1.1 homicides per 100,000 people (2017) versus 0.6 in Switzerland and 1.3 in France.
The nearest representations, by passport (OpenStreetMap):
SourcesOpenStreetMap · read 10.10DFAE · updated 01.05 · read 13.10
3 regions advised against, fully or partly, by at least one official reading.
SourcesGlobal Affairs Canada · updated 24.09 · read 13.10Foreign Office · updated 15.12 · read 13.10France Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 13.10
Local laws apply to every traveller; here is what the official texts say.
SourcesGlobal Affairs Canada · updated 24.09 · read 13.10Foreign Office · updated 15.12 · read 13.10
Every foreign ministry runs a 24/7 emergency line for its nationals.
Sourcesdiplomatie.gouv.fr · updated 15.09 · read 13.10eda.admin.ch · updated 01.05 · read 13.10
Emergency phrases, to show if pronunciation fails:
SourcesMaximum Insurance
Keep the entry stamp, the invoices, the prescriptions and the medical report.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
Cancellation or change up to CHF 20,000, special risk CHF 5,000 per person, crisis management and security, optional Kidnap & Ransom.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
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In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services first, then Maximum: +41 22 ••• •• •• — 24/7 support number, an adviser stays with you to the end.
The 207 country pages — hospitals, pharmacies, police, embassies, emergency numbers, official advice from four governments, health, safety in figures, events in progress — read around the city you name. Your policy — benefits, the six steps, claims, articles. The site — prices, certificate, subscription. Nothing else: what it does not know, it says so and hands you to an adviser.
Same advisory level: Chile · China · Comoros · Congo · Costa Rica · Cuba
The displayed level comes from the State Department, checked every morning. Before departure, always cross-check your country of residence's advisory: that is what your policy cites.
The level shown is the official U.S. Department of State level, checked daily. Maximum Insurance is an insurance distributor — general information, not personal advice.
The destination is already Porto-Novo. A few choices, then the reading of your cover, here.
Destination · Porto-Novo
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