Maximum Alerts / Vanuatu

VanuatuLevel 1/4

Level published by the State Department on 21.05.2025 · read 16 October 2026 · source checked daily

Vanuatu — official level as of 16 October 2026: Level 1/4 ("Exercise Normal Precautions"), from the U.S. Department of State. Maximum Insurance covers this country: hospital settled directly, unlimited repatriation, EUR 1.5M, certificate on payment.

Four official readings
United StatesState Departmentsource ↗Our reference level — the one shown across this site
Is the whole country advised against?Nono restriction on the whole country
Level 1/4 — “Exercise Normal Precautions”levels 1 and 2 are advice to be careful, not travel restrictions
FranceFrance Diplomatiesource ↗Added on top of the U.S. level, under its own rules: red or orange AREAS
Is the whole country advised against?Nono restriction on the whole country
our reading: no area of the country is classified red or orange
United KingdomFCDOsource ↗Added on top of the U.S. level, under its own rules: travel statuses
Is the whole country advised against?Nono restriction on the whole country
our reading: no travel advised against
source reviewed 19 March 2026
SwitzerlandFDFAsource ↗Advisory cited by the Maximum policy
Is the whole country advised against?Nono restriction on the whole country
our reading: the FDFA advises against no travel
The four readings on record agree: no restriction on the whole country.Our comparison reading: 27 September 2026

All 207 countries compared, advisory by advisory →

How we read these four advisories

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.

Get covered — €990/yr
Regional map…
Level 1/4 — Exercise Normal Precautions Checked on 16 October 2026 · U.S. State Department
Country briefing
Get the PDF

Where are you right now in Vanuatu?

Doctors — Port Vila3
DrFamily Health0.1 km

near Emile Mercet Street

Google MapsDirections
DrFamily Tarip Clinic1.7 km
Google MapsDirections
DrBethel Clinic2.8 km
Google MapsDirections
Pharmacies — Port Vila7
+Healthwise Pharmacy0.1 km

near Pasteur Street

Google MapsDirections
+The Drugstore0.2 km

near Lini Highway

Google MapsDirections
+Healthwise Pharmacie0.7 km

near Kumul Highway

Google MapsDirections
+Villa Pharmacy0.7 km

near Ring Road
Mo-Sa 08:00-21:00

Google MapsDirections
+Healthcare Pharmacy0.8 km

near Kumul Highway

Google MapsDirections
+Healthwise Pharmacy0.9 km

near Ring Road
Mo-Fr 08:00-17:30; Sa 08:00-12:00

Google MapsDirections
+The Pharmacy1.5 km

near Kumul Highway

Google MapsDirections
Official — Port Vila6
Consulates and embassies 6
AHigh Commission of New Zealand0.6 km

Rue Pierre Lamy Port Vila
Mo-Fr 09:00-12:00,13:00-15:00

ABritish High Commission0.6 km

Rue Pierre Lamy Port Vila
open "By appointment only";PH off

AAmbassade de France0.6 km

Rue Pierre Lamy Port Vila
Mo-Th 07:30-11:30, 13:30-17:00; Fr 07:30-15:00

AHonorary Consul Germany0.8 km

Rue Rene Pujol Port Vila

ASouth Korean Ambassadors Residence1.4 km

Avenue Capitaine Cook Port Vila

Google MapsDirections
AEmbassy of China2.8 km

Port Vila
Mo-Fr 08:30-11:30, 14:30-16:30

Police — Port Vila4
PPolice Station0.1 km

near Emile Mercet Street

Google MapsDirections
PPolice Academy0.6 km
Google MapsDirections
PCook Barracks1.3 km
Google MapsDirections
PPolice Post1.4 km
Google MapsDirections
Transport — Port Vila1
Bus 1
TBus locale4.0 km
Google MapsDirections

The next 7 days around Port Vila Pacific/EfateMET Norway ↗read 16.10.2026

Sat 17 Oct21–27°showers · 1.4 mm
Sun 18 Oct20–26°showers · 7.5 mm
Mon 19 Oct20–27°showers · 1.6 mm
Tue 20 Oct20–27°partly cloudy · 0.7 mm
Wed 21 Oct20–27°showers · 3.1 mm
Thu 22 Oct21–27°heavy showers · 6.7 mm
Fri 23 Oct20–28°showers · 8.1 mm

Forecast: MET Norway (Norwegian Meteorological Institute, CC BY 4.0), grouped by day and formatted by Maximum.

Nearest river dischargeOpen-Meteo ↗updated 16.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026

10-16 0.3 · 10-17 0.3 · 10-18 0.3 · 10-19 0.4 · 10-20 0.4 · 10-21 0.4 · 10-22 0.3 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.

No geolocated UCDP incident in this country.

Country notices, with no street coordinate

Now
Level 1 - Global Dengue
Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Country List : Colombia, Vietnam, Maldives, Bolivia, Cambodia, Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu Country List :…

The country feed →

National numbers (Wikidata, 2026 reading). On site, call local emergency services first, then Maximum: the insurer sends its payment guarantee to the hospital.

Recommended vaccines and medicines10

Routine vaccinesCDC ↗

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

COVID-19CDC ↗

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information.

Hepatitis ACDC ↗

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Vanuatu. 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.

Hepatitis BCDC ↗

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Vanuatu.

MalariaCDC ↗

CDC recommends that travelers going to Vanuatu 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. vivax (primarily) P. falciparum  and  P.

MeaslesCDC ↗

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.

MonkeypoxCDC ↗

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…

RabiesCDC ↗

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in Vanuatu. If rabies exposures occur while in Vanuatu, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.

TyphoidCDC ↗

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 .

Yellow FeverCDC ↗

CDC recommendations: Vaccine is not recommended. Country entry requirements: Vaccine is not required. 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

Diseases without a vaccine — how they spread

Avoid contaminated food and water
  • Ciguatera Fish Poisoning — Eating contaminated fish
  • Leptospirosis — Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud Drinking water or eating foo
Avoid bugs
  • Dengue — Mosquito bite
  • Zika — Mosquito bite An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby
Airborne & droplet
  • Hantavirus — Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents Bite from an infected rodent Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus
  • Tuberculosis (TB) — Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Risks in figures

Tuberculosis — cases per 100,000
Vanuatu44 2024
Switzerland5 2024
France8 2024

Moderate incidence: nothing special for a short stay.

Children vaccinated against measles (%)
Vanuatu61 2024
Switzerland96 2024
France95 2024

Coverage too low to stop the virus circulating: check your two MMR doses before leaving.

Malaria — cases per 1,000 people at risk
Vanuatu12.2 2024

Transmission limited to some areas: repellent, and the CDC says which.

World Bank — latest published valuedata.worldbank.org ↗read 10.10.2026

The official advice, in full

Source: France Diplomatie (health advice, in French).

In brief
  • Consult your doctor or an international vaccination centre well before departure to assess your health and receive vaccination recommendations, including for diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, pertussis and measles. France Diplomatie
  • Carry medications only in original packaging with original labels, accompanied by a prescription listing drugs by international non-proprietary name; verify that your medications are authorised in Vanuatu. France Diplomatie
  • At least eight weeks before travel, check the latest vaccine recommendations for Vanuatu and see where to get vaccines on the NHS travel vaccinations page. Foreign Office
  • Medical facilities in Vanuatu are basic; serious cases require evacuation to Australia or New Zealand. Ensure you have adequate travel health insurance with accessible funds to cover treatment, evacuation and repatriation costs. Foreign Office
  • Prevent mosquito-borne diseases by wearing long clothing, applying insect repellent to exposed skin, using insecticide-impregnated nets, and eliminating standing water around your accommodation. France Diplomatie

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 15.10.2026

France Diplomatiesource ↗updated 07.10.2026 · read 15.10.2026

Recommandations pour la santé

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 principaux médicaments connus en France sont disponibles sur place ainsi que leurs équivalents génériques ou anglo-saxons (se munir d’une ordonnance).

Vaccinations

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 :

  • Hépatite A : en fonction des conditions et de la durée de séjour ;
  • Fièvre typhoïde : en fonction des conditions et de la durée de séjour ;
  • Hépatite B : en cas de séjours fréquents ou prolongés ;
  • Tuberculose : chez les enfants de moins de 15 ans en cas de séjours fréquents ou prolongés ;
  • Chikungunya : en cas d’épidémie ou de séjour prolongé ;
  • Dengue : en cas d’épidémie active ou de séjour prolongé en zone endémique .

Il est donc conseillé de consulter son médecin traitant ou un centre de vaccinations internationales (médecine des voyages) suffisamment de temps avant le voyage.

Maladies transmises par les moustiques

Chikungunya

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 .

Dengue

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 .

Paludisme

Le paludisme (ou malaria) est une maladie parasitaire transmise par piqûres de moustiques infectés. Les formes bénignes associent des symptômes de type grippal : fièvre, frissons, fatigue, maux de tête, courbatures, vomissements. Des formes graves potentiellement…

Autres maladies

Fièvre typhoïde

La fièvre typhoïde est une maladie infectieuse causée par des bactéries présentes dans l’eau contaminée par des matières fécales d’origine humaine. L’infection résulte le plus souvent de l’ingestion d’eau ou d’aliments contaminés, ou d’une transmission directe de personne à personne. Les symptômes surviennent en moyenne 3 semaines après la contamination et associent fièvre, maux de tête, perte d’appétit, douleurs abdominales avec diarrhée ou constipation, fatigue et parfois, éruption cutanée. Dans les formes plus graves, la fièvre typhoïde peut être fatale en l’absence de traitement.

Les mesures de prévention reposent sur les règles élémentaires d’hygiène générale vis-à-vis de l’eau, des aliments et du lavage des mains ainsi que sur la vaccination.

Pour plus d’informations , consulter le site de l'Institut Pasteur .

Leptospirose

La leptospirose est une maladie bactérienne présente dans le monde entier. La transmission à l’humain se fait par contact cutané (muqueuse ou plaie) avec les milieux souillés par les urines d’animaux infectés (rongeurs, animaux d’élevage et de compagnie) . La maladie est souvent bénigne, mais parfois mortelle.

La prévention repose sur les mesures d’hygiène générales (lavage des mains, lutte contre les rongeurs, assainissement, etc.) et sur la vaccination des personnels à risque.

Pour plus d’informations, consulter le site Santé publique France et le site du ministère de la Santé .

Plusieurs cas de leptospirose sont régulièrement détectés au Vanuatu chaque année.

Rage

La rage est une maladie virale mortelle affectant le système nerveux et présent dans la salive des animaux infectés, tels que chiens, chats, chauves-souris et autres mammifères sauvages. Le virus se transmet par morsure, griffure ou contact de la…

Mesures générales de prévention des piqûres de moustiques
  • Porter des vêtements longs et couvrants ;
  • Appliquer des produits répulsifs cutanés sur les zones découvertes du corps ;
  • Protéger son logement (moustiquaires imprégnées d’insecticide, diffuseurs électriques, serpentins à l’extérieur, climatisation, etc.) ;
  • Détruire les sites potentiels de reproduction des moustiques (récipients d’eau stagnante comme les soucoupes sous les pots de fleurs, les gouttières, les pneus, etc.).

Pour plus d’informations, consulter le site du ministère en charge de la Santé et le site de l'Assurance Maladie .

Règles d'hygiène alimentaire
  • Se laver les mains régulièrement avec de l’eau et du savon ou des solutions de lavage hydroalcooliques, surtout avant et après les repas et le passage aux toilettes ;
  • Veiller à la qualité des aliments et surtout à leur bonne cuisson ;
  • Éviter la consommation de produits alimentaires (poisson, viande, volaille, lait) crus ou peu cuits ;
  • Peler les fruits et légumes ou les laver soigneusement (à l’eau saine) ;
  • Éviter les crudités, coquillages, plats réchauffés et buffets froids ;
  • Ne boire que de l’eau ou des boissons encapsulées ou de l’eau rendue potable (filtration, ébullition ou à défaut produit désinfectant).

Pour plus d’informations, consulter le site du ministère en charge de la Santé .

L’eau est potable à Port-Vila et à Luganville.

Health — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026

Health — Foreign Office

Before you travel check that:

  • your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
  • you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 115 and ask for an ambulance.

For a fee, Promedical provide a 24-hour ambulance service in Port Vila and Luganville.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

  • check the latest vaccine recommendations for Vanuatu
  • see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in Vanuatu , including:

  • malaria
  • dengue
  • chikungunya
Medication

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 .

Healthcare in Vanuatu

Medical facilities in Vanuatu are basic and limited in range and availability. There are medical clinics in Port Vila, some with Australian-trained GPs, which offer primary care. More serious cases will require evacuation to Australia or New Zealand. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad, medical evacuation and repatriation.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro .

TravelHealthPro ↗ · CDC ↗read 10.10.2026

Level 1 - Global DengueCDC ↗read 10.10.2026Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Country List : Colombia, Vietnam, Maldives, Bolivia, Cambodia, Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu Country List :…

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.

The comparator

What is your current insurance?

The verdict
No area exclusion at this level — but three written limits: deductible and prior approval, 90-day cap, advance under conditions.
Exact wording (official French text): « Des Voyages vers des pays où Votre gouvernement a conseillé de ne pas voyager » — general exclusion n° 11, applying to ALL travel covers.
Line by line
Cover
With your Amex Platinum
Territorial exclusion at this level
No territorial exclusion at this level — the clause targets countries your government advised against travelling to
Covered — the core of the Maximum contract
Medical expenses cap abroad
€2M — but 10% deductible (€150–500), insurer's prior approval, trip paid with the Card
EUR 1.5M emergency medical expenses
Hospital deposit before admission
Advance possible — prior approval required before care
Direct payment guarantee: the insurer settles the hospital
Trip duration covered
Maximum 90 consecutive days per trip
12 months, unlimited trips
Visa certificate (incl. Schengen)
Not provided
Official named certificate, issued on payment

Notices vary by bank and vintage — yours prevails. On the right: the Maximum contract (public documents).

Where to go, where not to

No region is advised against by the official readings checked (Global Affairs Canada, Foreign Office and France Diplomatie): the national advice applies everywhere.

In brief
  • National level “Exercise normal security precautions”; no region named (advisory of 13.10.2026). Global Affairs Canada
  • Advises against neither the country nor any area (reviewed 19.03.2026). Foreign Office
  • The security page lists no red or orange area (page of 13.03.2026). France Diplomatie
  • Level 1 of 4: exercise normal precautions (advisory of 21.05.2025). State Department

The levels each government publishes, unsummarised: their texts, linked below, prevail.

Port Vila (Shefa) is in no region these official readings advise against.The red dot on the map. Change the city at the top of the page to read the map from another point.
Tafea — Country-wide vigilanceShefa — Country-wide vigilanceMalampa — Country-wide vigilanceSanma — Country-wide vigilancePenama — Country-wide vigilanceTorba — Country-wide vigilancePort Vila
Country-wide vigilancePort VilaNone of the readings checked (Global Affairs Canada, Foreign Office and France Diplomatie) names a region: the whole country keeps the “country-wide vigilance” colour. Boundaries: Natural Earth.
Country-wide vigilance
the whole country, including Port Vila
So:

no region is advised against by these readings; the trip follows the national advice. A new regional advisory would call for a new, written decision.

US21.05.2025
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
FR13.03.2026
No red or orange areaThe security page lists no red or orange area.Your region (Shefa): not covered
GB19.03.2026
No area coveredYour region (Shefa): not covered
CA13.10.2026
Exercise normal security precautionsYour region (Shefa): not covered
Maximum excludes no area of the country.The VIP Pack covers care and repatriation there. Still enforceable: sanctions and embargoes, and a country already at war at departure. Extraction and security belong to the VIP Pack Extreme, upon eligibility. See My cover

Global Affairs Canada — Open Government Licence – Canada (13.10.2026) · Foreign Office — Open Government Licence v3.0 · France Diplomatie (13.03.2026) · Natural Earth

No located event in this reading.

Last change: Updated information about global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

Vanuatu - Level 1: Exercise Normal PrecautionsState Department ↗updated 21.05.2025 · read 16.10.2026

Updated 21.05.2025

Exercise normal precaution in Vanuatu .

Vanuatu is generally a safe destination for travelers.

  • Infrastructure and roads in Port Vila and the surrounding area were damaged during the December 2024 earthquake, with repairs in progress.

Pacific: Dengue Outbreak - 2025-2026ReliefWeb ↗read 16.10.20262025-02-27

Source: ReliefWeb (OCHA), via HDX — CC BY

Nearest river dischargeOpen-Meteo ↗updated 16.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026

10-16 0.3 · 10-17 0.3 · 10-18 0.3 · 10-19 0.4 · 10-20 0.4 · 10-21 0.4 · 10-22 0.3 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.

Where, exactly?

What the national level does not tell you

The level is national. Risk areas are in the state advisories below.

  • U.S. State Department — the full advisory details the regions concerned and the reasons (crime, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest) (read the advisory)
  • Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (United Kingdom) — the United Kingdom advises against no travel to this country · reviewed 19 March 2026
    Last announced change : « Updated information about global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East (‘Warnings and insurance’ page). » (read the advisory)
  • France Diplomatie — France classifies no area of this country as red or orange (see the Security page)

No major event in progress is located in this country at this morning's check.

Safety in figures
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people
Vanuatu0.3 2020
Switzerland0.6 2023
France1.3 2023
Road traffic deaths per 100,000 people
Vanuatu14.9 2019
Switzerland2.2 2019
France5.1 2019

Reading: The homicide rate is in the same range as Switzerland or France. On the road, 7 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.

I travel on a passportEach government writes for its own nationals. The advisory that counts for you — and for your policy's clauses — is your country's.

French passport — France Diplomatie

In brief
  • Vanuatu is on enhanced alert status. Crime including burglary and assault exists; secure doors and windows at night, keep passport copies separate, and avoid solo evening travel, especially for women. France Diplomatie
  • Cyclone season runs from November to end of April. When red alert is announced on radio, remain indoors. Monitor Vanuatu Meteorological and Geological Department website and Capital FM 107 for alerts. France Diplomatie
  • Mount Manaro Vui on Ambae island is at alert level 3; Mount Yasur on Tanna, Lopevi, Maroum and Benbow on Ambrym, and Mount Garet on Gaua are at level 2. Follow local guides near active volcanoes. France Diplomatie
  • Vanuatu experiences seismic activity and tsunamis are possible. Tsunami sirens operate in Port-Vila city centre only. Monitor Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department for earthquake information. France Diplomatie
  • Beaches are unmonitored with dangerous currents; avoid swimming in isolated locations. Sharks are present near Espiritu Santo and Malicollo islands; consult local authorities before water activities. France Diplomatie

Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.

The security page lists no red or orange area.France Diplomatie ↗updated 07.10.2026 · read 15.10.2026

Vanuatu

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Zones de vigilance

Dernière actualisation le 13/03/2026, information toujours valable à la date du jour

Vanuatu est placé en vigilance renforcée (en jaune sur la carte sécuritaire).

Criminalité et petite délinquance

La criminalité (cambriolages et agressions, voire meurtres) et la petite délinquance existent au Vanuatu. Il est recommandé de s’assurer de la fermeture des portes et des fenêtres la nuit et de mettre en sécurité ses documents (passeport, billet d’avion) et objets de valeur. Il est recommandé d’avoir une photocopie de son passeport, en cas de perte ou de vol.

Les voyageurs doivent surveiller le chargement des bagages dans les véhicules qu’ils empruntent, notamment au départ des aéroports. Il est également recommandé, notamment aux femmes, de ne pas circuler seules le soir, à pied ou en transport public (tels que les bus, minibus et taxis).

Risque cyclonique

La saison des cyclones s’étend de novembre à fin avril. Les autorités émettent des consignes adaptées au niveau d’alerte, disponibles sur le site du National Disaster Management Office . En cas d’approche d’un cyclone, les avis d’alerte et les bulletins météo sont diffusés sur le site du Vanuatu Meteorological and Geological Department , ainsi qu’en anglais, bichlamar et moins régulièrement en français à la radio.

Radio Vanuatu : MW 1125, SW 7260, SW 3945, FM 100 Capital FM 107 : FM 107 (24 h/24 - Vanuatu) Buzz FM : FM 96 24 (24h/24 - Port Vila) Paridise FM (Radio Vanuatu) : FM 98 (24 h/24 - Port Vila) Halo FM : FM 98.1 (06h00/18h00 - Torba, Sanma, Pernama & Malampa) Radio Life FM : FM 90 (24 h/24 - Port Vila)

En période cyclonique, le bord de mer et les abords des cours d’eau sont à éviter. Lorsque le niveau d’alerte rouge (impact imminent du cyclone) est annoncé à la radio, il est impératif de demeurer à son domicile et de se reporter aux consignes précitées.

Des informations complémentaires sur le risque cyclonique sont disponibles dans la fiche thématique Risques climatiques (cyclones/ouragans) .

Risque volcanique

Le Vanuatu est une terre de volcans, qui se répartissent en deux catégories : les volcans fréquemment actifs (mont Yasur, situé sur l’île de Tanna ; mont Garet, sur l’île de Gaua ; mont Lopévi, sur l’île de Lopévi ; monts Maroum et Benbow, sur l’île d’Ambrym ; mont Manaro Vui, sur l’île d’Ambae ; volcan sous-marin d’Epi) et les volcans « dormants » (mont Suretamatai, sur l’île de Vanua Lava).

Certaines îles de l’archipel sont placées sous la surveillance d’organismes officiels, qui disposent d’un système d’alerte sur une échelle comportant 5 niveaux, échelonnés par gravité croissante de 0 à 4. Même lorsque le niveau d’alerte semble peu élevé, il est fortement recommandé de suivre les directives des guides locaux. Un accident dû à la projection de lave ou à une chute ne peut jamais être exclu à proximité des volcans actifs. La plus grande prudence s’impose.

Il est conseillé de se renseigner sur l’activité volcanique du pays, en consultant régulièrement les informations et les recommandations disponibles sur le site internet ou la page Facebook du Département de la météorologie et des géo-risques du Vanuatu (Vanuatu Meteorology & Geo-Hazards Department - VMGD).

Actuellement, un volcan est placé au niveau d'alerte 3 (le Manoro sur l'île d'Ambaé), quatre volcans sont placés en niveau d’alerte 2 : le mont Yasur sur l’île de Tanna, le Lopevi sur l’île du même nom, les monts Maroum et Benbow sur l’île d’Ambrym, et le Mont Garet sur l’île de Gaua. Le volcan sous-marin d’Epi est placé en niveau 1.

Risque sismique

Le Vanuatu étant situé dans une zone d’activité sismique, des tremblements de terre et des raz-de-marée ne sont pas exclus. Ils peuvent notamment provoquer des glissements de terrain et endommager les axes de transports.

Lorsqu’un tremblement de terre se produit au Vanuatu, il est recommandé de se tenir informé, notamment en suivant la page Facebook ou le site internet du Département de la météorologie et des géo-risques du Vanuatu (VMGD).

En cas de risque de tsunami, il est rappelé que des sirènes d’alerte au tsunami peuvent se déclencher dans le centre-ville de Port-Vila. Dans les autres endroits non-couverts par ce système d’alerte, y compris dans certains quartiers de la capitale, il convient de rester vigilant et attentif aux différents signes avant-coureurs.

Activités sportives à risque

Les plages n’étant pas surveillées au Vanuatu et les courants pouvant s’avérer extrêmement dangereux, il est fortement recommandé d’éviter de se baigner dans des endroits isolés.

Des requins sont parfois présents au large du Vanuatu, notamment autour des îles d’Espiritu Santo et de Malicollo. Il convient donc de se renseigner auprès des autorités locales avant toute activité aquatique et de respecter les consignes de sécurité.

Full text of the Security pagediplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 07.10.2026 · read 15.10.2026

Swiss passport — FDFA (Switzerland)

The FDFA has no readable travel advice for this country at this reading: consult eda.admin.ch directly.eda.admin.ch ↗

British passport — Foreign Office (UK)

In brief
  • Middle East escalation has caused airspace closures and flight disruptions affecting travel globally; check airline updates and transit country advice before travelling. Foreign Office
  • High global threat of terrorist attack targeting UK interests and British nationals; stay aware of surroundings and consult UK Counter Terrorism Policing guidance. Foreign Office
  • In Vanuatu, crime risk is generally low but burglaries with violence and street attacks on tourists occur in Port Vila; take sensible precautions. Foreign Office
  • Do not wear beachwear outside beaches and hotels; supermarkets cannot sell alcohol Saturday midday to Monday 7am, but bars and hotels may serve it. Foreign Office
  • Possession of recreational drugs leads to imprisonment and large fines; use only licensed water sports operators with safety briefings; pay visiting fees to landowners when travelling off-track. Foreign Office
  • Swimming and diving carry risks from strong currents, coral cuts, water quality issues and sharks; follow local authorities' instructions and use licensed diving centres. Foreign Office

Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.

Warnings — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026

Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East

Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:

  • check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through
  • check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator
  • review your travel insurance policy for coverage
  • monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts

Safety — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026

Terrorism

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 .

Terrorism in Vanuatu

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Vanuatu, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Protecting yourself and your belongings

The risk of crime is generally low but there have been:

  • burglaries accompanied by violence
  • some instances of street crime and attacks on foreign nationals, including on tourists at nightclubs and bars in Port Vila

Take sensible precautions as you would in the UK.

Laws and cultural differences

You should respect local customs, which are strictly observed, and religious sensitivities.

Dress code

Do not wear beachwear away from beaches and hotels.

Alcohol laws and bans

It is illegal for supermarkets to sell alcohol from midday on Saturday to 7am on Monday. However, clubs, bars and hotels may serve alcohol during these times.

Kava drinking ceremonies

Kava is a traditional drink in Vanuatu used in kava ceremonies, at kava bars (‘nakamals’) and at some hotels. Some nakamals, particularly outside of Port Vila, do not welcome women. Be wary of the effects of kava and consume it responsibly. Kava is banned from entry to the UK due to concerns about its health impacts.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Avoid all recreational drugs. Possession of even small quantities can lead to imprisonment and a large fine.

Using cameras

Most people in Vanuatu will allow you to take their photograph, but you should always get permission first.

Mobile phone coverage

Ask your service provider if your mobile will work in Vanuatu. A 4G network is available but coverage varies across the country. You can also buy SIM cards from local phone companies Vodafone or Digicel , including at Port Vila airport.

Visiting fees

Land ownership in Vanuatu is an important and often sensitive issue. If you travel off the beaten track, you may be trespassing unless you pay a ‘visiting fee’ to the landowner. At most beaches you will also be asked to pay an entry fee.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are legal in Vanuatu. However, showing affection in public may attract unwanted and negative attention and is likely to offend some people.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .

Swimming safety

Take care when swimming, diving or snorkelling in the sea as currents can be extremely strong. Coral reefs can easily cause cuts and scrapes. There are reports of water quality issues in some of the lagoons, and there are sharks in Vanuatu waters. Be cautious and follow the advice and instructions of local authorities.

See water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.

Water sports and scuba diving activities

Many visitors to Vanuatu take part in water sports, including scuba diving and snorkelling without incident. However, water sports activities have on occasion led to injuries and deaths because of a lack of basic safety measures. To reduce risks:

  • use licensed water sports centres or operators
  • get any paperwork signed in advance
  • make sure you get a safety briefing before starting

Diving schools and rescue service standards are not always as high as in the UK.…

American passport — U.S. Department of State

In brief
  • Vanuatu is now at Travel Advisory Level 1, advising U.S. citizens to exercise normal precautions. State Department
  • Infrastructure and roads in Port Vila were damaged by a December 2024 earthquake, with repairs ongoing. State Department
  • U.S. citizens should monitor local reports and follow instructions from Vanuatu authorities. State Department
  • Access to some areas may be restricted due to ongoing repairs following the earthquake. State Department
  • U.S. citizens should keep travel documents updated and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). State Department

Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.

Vanuatu - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions 2025-05-21travel.state.gov ↗updated 21.05.2025 · read 16.10.2026

Advisory summary

Exercise normal precaution in Vanuatu .

Vanuatu is generally a safe destination for travelers.

  • Infrastructure and roads in Port Vila and the surrounding area were damaged during the December 2024 earthquake, with repairs in progress.

Global Affairs Canada — additional reading

Exercise normal security precautions

Open Government Licence – Canada · October 13, 2026 15:21 EDTtravel.gc.ca ↗updated 13.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026

In brief
  • You must abide by local laws and respect religious and social traditions, dressing conservatively and behaving discreetly, especially avoiding beach attire outside of beaches or resorts.
  • Penalties for drug possession, use, or trafficking are severe, potentially leading to jail sentences and heavy fines; avoid all recreational drugs.
  • Alcohol sales are prohibited from midday Saturday to 7am Monday in supermarkets, though clubs, bars, and hotels may serve it during this period.
  • Always ask permission before photographing locals and be aware that some kava bars may not welcome women.
  • Same-sex sexual acts are legal, but public displays of affection may attract negative attention and offend some people.
  • If a child is wrongfully taken to or retained in Vanuatu, act quickly, consult lawyers in Canada and Vanuatu, and report the situation to Canadian government offices.

Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.

Global Affairs Canada — written for Canadian travellers, valid for all

Local laws

You must abide by local laws. Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

Alcohol

The sale of alcohol is prohibited between Saturday and Monday or during elections. Exceptions apply to hotels and restaurants. Drugs, alcohol and travel

Dress and behaviour

Always ask permission before photographing locals. To avoid offending local sensitivities:

  • dress conservatively
  • behave discreetly
  • respect religious and social traditions
  • don’t wear beach attire outside of beaches or resorts
2SLGBTQI+ persons

Vanuatu law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not widely accepted in Vanuatu society. Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

International Child Abduction

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 Vanuatu. If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Vanuatu by an abducting parent:

  • act as quickly as you can
  • consult a lawyer in Canada and in Vanuatu to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
  • report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

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.

Driving

The speed limit is 50 km per hour. You should carry an International Driving Permit. International Driving Permit

Money

The currency is the vatu (VUV). You may use Australian dollars at some shops, restaurants and hotels in Port-Vila. Major credit cards are generally accepted in Port-Vila and Luganville, but less so elsewhere in Vanuatu. ATMs are available at the ANZ and Westpac banks.

Open Government Licence – Canada · October 13, 2026 15:21 EDTtravel.gc.ca ↗updated 13.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026

Foreign Office — laws and cultural differences

Local laws

You should respect local customs, which are strictly observed, and religious sensitivities.

Dress code

Do not wear beachwear away from beaches and hotels.

Alcohol laws and bans

It is illegal for supermarkets to sell alcohol from midday on Saturday to 7am on Monday. However, clubs, bars and hotels may serve alcohol during these times.

Kava drinking ceremonies

Kava is a traditional drink in Vanuatu used in kava ceremonies, at kava bars (‘nakamals’) and at some hotels. Some nakamals, particularly outside of Port Vila, do not welcome women. Be wary of the effects of kava and consume it responsibly. Kava is banned from entry to the UK due to concerns about its health impacts.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Avoid all recreational drugs. Possession of even small quantities can lead to imprisonment and a large fine.

Using cameras

Most people in Vanuatu will allow you to take their photograph, but you should always get permission first.

Mobile phone coverage

Ask your service provider if your mobile will work in Vanuatu. A 4G network is available but coverage varies across the country. You can also buy SIM cards from local phone companies Vodafone or Digicel, including at Port Vila airport.

Visiting fees

Land ownership in Vanuatu is an important and often sensitive issue. If you travel off the beaten track, you may be trespassing unless you pay a ‘visiting fee’ to the landowner. At most beaches you will also be asked to pay an entry fee.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are legal in Vanuatu. However, showing affection in public may attract unwanted and negative attention and is likely to offend some people. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Open Government Licence v3.0gov.uk ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026

Air: Fair 30/100PM2.5 10.1 µg/m³ · PM10 17.3 µg/m³
UV extreme today max 11.7Right now 0.0 · WHO scale 0–11+

What it changes for you: Air acceptable at this hour: nothing special to plan. Very high UV: sunscreen, hat and shade between 11 am and 4 pm; sunstroke and dehydration are travellers' first reasons to see a doctor.

Reading 19:00 (Pacific/Efate)Open-Meteo ↗updated 16.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026

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.

Physicians per 1,000 people
Vanuatu0.2 2019
Switzerland4.5 2022
France3.3 2022
Health spending per person (USD)
Vanuatu143 2023
Switzerland11,784 2023
France5,327 2024
Life expectancy (years)
Vanuatu71.7 2024
Switzerland84.4 2024
France83.0 2024

No value published by the World Bank in the last eight years for Vanuatu: hospital beds per 1,000 people.

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 143 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

I travel on a passportVisa, passport validity, entry form: the rules depend on your passport. Each government describes them for its own nationals.

French passport — France Diplomatie

In brief
  • All COVID-19 health measures for entry to Vanuatu were lifted on 12 September 2022; PCR or antigen test results are no longer required. France Diplomatie
  • French nationals do not need prior visa approval for tourist stays; a three-month visitor visa is issued upon arrival. France Diplomatie
  • Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date, and you must present a return ticket valid within three months of arrival. France Diplomatie
  • You must provide proof of accommodation: a hotel reservation or invitation letter from family or friends hosting you. France Diplomatie
  • Sailors may only enter through Port-Vila or Luganville ports on Santo island; substantial fines apply for using other entry points. France Diplomatie

Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.

Vanuatu

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Infection pulmonaire – Coronavirus Covid-19

Toutes les mesures sanitaires en vigueur pour entrer sur le territoire vanuatais ont été levées le 12 septembre 2022. Il n’est désormais plus nécessaire de présenter un résultat de test PCR ou antigénique. La vaccination contre la COVID-19 est encouragée et il est recommandé aux voyageurs présentant des symptômes de COVID-19 de repousser leur voyage.

Plus d’informations sur le site du ministère de la Santé.

Passeport et Visas

Les ressortissants français ne sont pas soumis à demande préalable de visa pour les séjours touristiques (cf. le site du Département de l’Immigration vanuataise , en anglais).

Un visa visiteur valable trois mois sera délivré à l’arrivée sur le sol vanuatais, quelle que soit la durée du séjour. Les visiteurs doivent présenter un passeport dont la durée de validité dépasse d’au moins six mois la date de fin de séjour envisagée, ainsi qu’un billet retour valide pour une date de départ n’excédant pas trois mois à compter de la date d’arrivée, une réservation d’hôtel ou une lettre d’invitation prouvant l’hébergement par la famille/amis.

Pour les plaisanciers : seuls les ports de Port-Vila et de Luganville, sur l’île de Santo, sont ouverts aux opérations de douane et d’immigration. De fortes amendes sont applicables en cas de non-respect de ces points d’entrée.

Pour toute information relative à la délivrance d’un visa ou d’un permis de résidence, il convient de contacter le Département de l’Immigration (site internet) à l’adresse suivante :

A Port-Vila : Vanuatu Immigration and Passport Services Kumul Highway, Tamarama Building Port-Vila, île d’Efate Téléphone : (+678)22354

A Santo : Vanuatu Immigration and Passport Services Luganville, île de Santo Téléphone : (+678)36724

En Nouvelle-Calédonie, le Vanuatu dispose d’un Consulat général (voir les coordonnées ci-contre).

L’ambassade du Vanuatu en Belgique est également compétente pour la France : Avenue de Tervueren, 380 - 1150 WOLUWE-SAINT-PIERRE Téléphone : (+32) 2-7727141

Entry and stay pagediplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 07.10.2026 · read 15.10.2026

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 ↗

British passport — Foreign Office (UK)

In brief
  • Your British passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date in Vanuatu. Foreign Office
  • Contact the Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services to confirm whether you need a visa before travelling. Foreign Office
  • You will be denied entry if your passport is invalid, expired, or has been reported lost or stolen. Foreign Office
  • Declare all goods to Vanuatu customs authorities, as strict rules apply to prohibited items and goods subject to tax or duty. Foreign Office
  • British dual nationals must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement when returning to the UK. Foreign Office

Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.

Entry requirements — rules for a British passportForeign Office ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026

Entry requirements — rules for a British passport

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 Vanuatu’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Vanuatu set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services .

Passport validity requirements

To enter Vanuatu, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

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.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement . See Dual citizenship .

Visa requirements

Check with the Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services for details of whether you need a visa in advance of travel.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Vanuatu guide .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Vanuatu . 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 21.05.2025 · read 16.10.2026

Living on site

For each risk, the official texts themselves: what is happening, then, where they say so, what to do.

CrimeMODERATE

What the texts say · The risk of crime is generally low but there have been: burglaries accompanied by violence - some instances of street crime and attacks on foreign nationals, including on tourists at nightclubs and bars in Port Vila. Exercise caution when attending bars and clubs in Port-Vila as tourists have been the target of attacks.

What they advise:
  • Ensure that your personal belongings, including passports and other travel documents are secure at all times.
  • Women should avoid travelling alone, particularly on public transportation and in isolated locations and beaches.
Foreign Office · Global Affairs Canada
TransportMODERATE

What the texts say · Many roads in Vanuatu are not properly surfaced. A lack of street lighting and the presence of pedestrians and animals makes roads particularly dangerous at night. Taxis may be hailed on the street and are metered.

What they advise: Take extra care when driving at night, in heavy rain or after a prolonged dry period.
Foreign Office · Global Affairs Canada
Nature and climateHIGH

What the texts say · The tropical cyclone season in Vanuatu normally runs from November to May, but cyclones can happen throughout the year. Vanuatu is in an earthquake zone and is prone to significant year-round seismic and volcanic activity, with an associated risk of tsunamis.

What they advise:
  • Monitor local news and check World Meteorological Organization weather reports for Vanuatu and the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department.
  • Make sure you understand local safety procedures for earthquakes and tsunamis.
  • Follow the advice of local authorities and do not enter closed areas for safety reasons.
Foreign Office
Laws and customsTO KNOW

What the texts say · Avoid all recreational drugs. Possession of even small quantities can lead to imprisonment and a large fine. It is illegal for supermarkets to sell alcohol from midday on Saturday to 7am on Monday.

What they advise:
  • Do not wear beachwear away from beaches and hotels.
  • Most people in Vanuatu will allow you to take their photograph, but you should always get permission first.
Foreign Office
Cyber and dataMODERATE

What the texts say · Be cautious when using debit or credit cards: pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others - use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business - avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature - cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN - check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements.

Global Affairs Canada

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 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026 (updated 19.03.2026 · read 30.09.2026)Global Affairs Canada ↗updated 13.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026 (updated 13.10.2026 · read 30.09.2026)

Safety in figures
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people
Vanuatu0.3 2020
Switzerland0.6 2023
France1.3 2023
Road traffic deaths per 100,000 people
Vanuatu14.9 2019
Switzerland2.2 2019
France5.1 2019

Reading: The homicide rate is in the same range as Switzerland or France. On the road, 7 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

—:—Local time · Pacific/Efate ·
112Local emergency numbers · Single number 112 · Police 11 · Fire 113
Europlug, BS 1363, AS/NZS 3112220 V
Drivingon the right

Time zone: IANA and timezone-boundary-builder (ODbL) · RESTCountries · EmergencyNumberAPI · Wikidata · European Central Bank

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Photon search by komoot.

Public holidaysNager.Date ↗read 25.09.2026

  • Sun 29 Nov — National Unity Day
  • Fri 25 Dec — Christmas Day
  • Sat 26 Dec — Family Day
ESSENTIAL

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 area

The hospitals to know — Port Vila

The hospital list has not been read from OpenStreetMap for this page yet: the medical-network map loads it when opened. Maximum's assistance directs you to the right facility, 24/7. The medical-network map ↗

7pharmacies3doctorsFull map and list ↗

Before you go

  • Routine vaccinesup to date
  • Hepatitis Arecommended
  • Hepatitis Brecommended
  • Malariapreventive medicine recommended
  • Typhoidrecommended
  • Mpoxdepending on the trip
  • Yellow fevernot recommended

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

On site

DengueMosquitoes bite by day: repellent, long sleeves.
MalariaPresent in some areas: talk to a doctor before leaving.
ChikungunyaMosquito-borne: same protection as for dengue.
SunUV extreme (12): hat, sunscreen, water.
MedicationIn their box, with the prescription — in English if possible.

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 143 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.

The next 7 days Pacific/EfateMET Norway ↗read 16.10.2026

Sat 17 Oct21–27°showers · 1.4 mm
Sun 18 Oct20–26°showers · 7.5 mm
Mon 19 Oct20–27°showers · 1.6 mm
Tue 20 Oct20–27°partly cloudy · 0.7 mm
Wed 21 Oct20–27°showers · 3.1 mm
Thu 22 Oct21–27°heavy showers · 6.7 mm
Fri 23 Oct20–28°showers · 8.1 mm

Forecast: MET Norway (Norwegian Meteorological Institute, CC BY 4.0), grouped by day and formatted by Maximum.

I travel on a passportYour embassy, and the service to register with, depend on your passport.

Your country, 24/7, from abroad

FR
Crisis and Support Centre — French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs+33 1 53 59 11 0024/7 emergency line, standard rate. First contact abroad: the French embassy or consulate.www.diplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 07.10.2026 · read 15.10.2026
CH
FDFA Helpline+41 58 465 33 33+41 800 24 7 36524/7, 365 days a year — helpline@eda.admin.ch. Beware of scam calls spoofing these numbers.www.eda.admin.ch ↗
GB
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office+44 20 7008 500024 hours, for British nationals.www.gov.uk ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026
US
Overseas Citizens Services — U.S. Department of State+1 202 501 4444+1 888 407 4747From abroad; the second number from the U.S. and Canada.travel.state.gov ↗updated 21.05.2025 · read 16.10.2026

French passport — French embassy and consulates

Useful contacts listed by France Diplomatie (in French)diplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 07.10.2026 · read 15.10.2026

Updated: 7 October 2026

OpenStreetMap

British passport — British embassy and consulates

OpenStreetMap

Police

  • Police Station · 0.1 km
  • Police Academy · 0.6 km
  • Cook Barracks · 1.3 km
  • Police Post · 1.4 km

OpenStreetMap

Getting help — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026

Getting help — Foreign Office

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.

If you are in Port Vila and need assistance from the UK government, call the British High Commission on (02)6270 6666.

Emergency services in Vanuatu

Ambulance: 115

Fire: 113

Police: 111 or 22222

Contact your travel provider and insurer

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.

Help abroad

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.

Help in the UK

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

Useful phrases

English is an official language in Vanuatu: no translated phrases here. No Bislama phrases yet, though it is widely spoken there.

  • Keep the entry stamp, hospital invoices and the medical report. Without them a claim cannot be rebuilt.
  • File it from the claim form, once back, with those papers.
  • The France Diplomatie health page mentions dengue and malaria and chikungunya. A fever in the weeks after return should be told to a doctor, naming the country.

Actions to take before each professional trip abroad.

1Once — the framework
2For each departure
3During the mission, and after

What is happening in Vanuatu right now

Live alerts and level changes, each with its official source. Continuously updated.

What governments have just written

UpdateGlobal Affairs Canada

Natural disasters and climate section – added information on El Niño

October 13, 2026 15:21 EDTtravel.gc.ca ↗updated 13.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026

No level change recorded for this country since the log opened. The live alerts above are updated continuously.

⚡ The world feed — every country →

Frequently asked questions — travel insurance Vanuatu

24/7 support number — +41 22 ••• •• ••An adviser goes through each question with you until you have an actionable answer: cover, hospital, entry rules, claims. Full number in your client area. You can also ask Maximum directly, just below these questions.
What is the official risk level in Vanuatu today?

Level 1/4 — Exercise Normal Precautions, U.S. Department of State, retrieved on 16 October 2026.

  • Is the whole country advised against? United States: no · France: no · United Kingdom: no · Switzerland: no (reading of 27 September 2026).
  • Contractually, only an FDFA, FOPH or WHO advisory against the trip opens Module A (art. 18.1) — that is not the case today.
  • Travel with international medical cover and the 24/7 number (+41 22 ••• •• ••) saved: here the risk is not the advisory, it is the hospital bill.
  • We check these sources every morning and e-mail you the day one changes (Alerts button).

Sourcestravel.state.gov · updated 21.05 · read 16.10France Diplomatie · updated 07.10 · read 15.10DFAE207-country comparison

Is the whole of Vanuatu advised against, or only some areas?

An area advised against does not rule out the country.

  • Official answers: United States: no · France: no · United Kingdom: no · Switzerland: no.
  • Keep your country of residence's advisory on booking day and on departure day: that is what your policy's clauses cite.

SourcesFrance Diplomatie · updated 07.10 · read 15.10Foreign Office · updated 19.03 · read 15.10State Department · updated 21.05 · read 16.10

What are the entry requirements for Vanuatu with my passport?

The rules depend on the passport, not on the destination alone.

  • French passport (France Diplomatie): All COVID-19 health measures for entry to Vanuatu were lifted on 12 September 2022; PCR or antigen test results are no longer required. French nationals do not need prior visa approval for tourist stays; a three-month visitor visa is issued upon arrival. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date, and you must present a return ticket valid within three months of arrival.
  • British passport (Foreign Office): Your British passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date in Vanuatu. Contact the Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services to confirm whether you need a visa before travelling. You will be denied entry if your passport is invalid, expired, or has been reported lost or stolen.
  • American passport: the requirements are on the State Department country page (travel.state.gov).
  • Swiss passport: the FDFA refers you to the destination's embassy in Switzerland.
  • Pick your passport at the top of Before you go › Entry: the official text that concerns you comes first, with its “In brief” summary.

SourcesFrance Diplomatie · updated 07.10 · read 15.10Foreign Office · updated 19.03 · read 15.10State Department · updated 21.05 · read 16.10

Do I need an insurance certificate for a Vanuatu visa?

For a Schengen visa, yes: at least €30,000 of travel medical insurance (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, art. 15).

  • Many other countries ask for it on entry or for a visa, case by case: check Before you go › Entry, with your passport.
  • Subscribe: the named certificate arrives by e-mail on payment, with your name, dates and limits (EUR 1.5M medical expenses, unlimited evacuation and repatriation) — the ones consulates check.
  • Attach it to the visa file; if in doubt about the format, write to us.

SourcesRegulation (EC) 810/2009, art. 15General conditions, policy 20 00 479

What does Maximum Insurance do in Vanuatu, concretely?

VIP Pack — €990 for twelve months, unlimited trips.

  • EUR 1.5M emergency medical expenses, unlimited medical evacuation and repatriation, search and rescue EUR 50,000, cancellation or change EUR 5,000.
  • One 24/7 number, +41 22 ••• •• ••: Maximum sends its direct payment guarantee to the hospital (art. 2.12).
  • Network of 45,000 providers (art. 6.9); evacuation is decided, organised and paid by Maximum's medical team if the local facility is not enough (art. 6.2.2).
  • Named certificate by e-mail on payment, no medical questionnaire.

SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479OpenStreetMap · read 12.10

What should I do if hospitalised in Vanuatu?

Six steps, in this order.

  • 1. Call +41 22 ••• •• •• before paying anything, or have the front desk call: it is the condition for full cover (otherwise: reduced or refused benefits).
  • 2. Ask for a hospital in the Maximum network (art. 6.9).
  • 3. See a doctor the same day and leave with the certificate: without an on-the-spot finding, nothing is covered (art. 33).
  • 4. Admitted for more than 24 h? The front desk calls Maximum: direct payment guarantee, no deposit (art. 2.12).
  • 5. Book no ambulance or flight yourself (art. 6.2.2).
  • 6. Once home, file within 30 days (art. 35.7).
  • Local emergency services: single number 112 · police 11 · fire 113.

SourcesSpecial conditions 01.26General conditions, policy 20 00 479

Which emergency numbers in Vanuatu?

Local emergency services: single number 112 · police 11 · fire 113

  • Maximum, 24/7, before any payment: +41 22 ••• •• ••.
  • France — Ambassade de France (0.6 km) · +678 28 700
  • United Kingdom — Haut-commissariat du Royaume-Uni (0.6 km)
  • Save these numbers before leaving; in immediate danger, call local emergency services first, then Maximum.

SourcesEmergencyNumberAPI · Wikidata · read 08.10OpenStreetMap · read 12.10

Is an Amex, Visa or Mastercard enough in Vanuatu?

At today's level 1/4, card by card:

  • Amex Platinum — No area exclusion at this level — but three written limits: deductible and prior approval, 90-day cap, advance under conditions.
  • Visa — No express area exclusion — but a €156,000 cap, 90 days, and the war/instability exclusion in the background.
  • Mastercard — No exclusion in play at this level — but a €155,000 cap and 90 covered days.
  • Three lines to read in your notice: the duration (often 90 days per trip), the settlement (reimbursement afterwards or direct payment of the hospital) and the area exclusion at level 4/4.

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 '

Are a health plan or a travel policy enough in Vanuatu?

A health plan reimburses at home; here, the hospital asks for a payment guarantee before admission.

  • Health plan — A health plan treats you at home. Here the hospital asks for a guarantee before admission — not a later reimbursement.
  • Travel policy — No area exclusion at this level — compare cap, deductible and covered duration.
  • A travel policy often has a territorial clause at level 4/4 and a 90-day limit per trip.
  • Have your IPID number or the PDF of the terms and ask an expert to call you back: the answer is in the document, not in the brochure.

SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479

How do I use the medical network on this page?

The page reads hospitals, pharmacies and doctors from OpenStreetMap, around the point you choose.

  • Type your city, hotel or beach: the map re-centres, 24/7 emergency rooms come first.
  • Each row gives the phone when the source publishes it, the nearest street, directions and the Google Maps listing.
  • The PDF briefing repeats the same places, numbered on a printable map.
  • No customer reviews: OpenStreetMap has none, and we invent none.

SourcesOpenStreetMap (ODbL) · read 12.10

Which vaccines and health precautions for Vanuatu?

The sourced detail is under Medical network › Health: vaccines, diseases present, altitude, outbreaks.

  • CDC (Travelers' Health), depending on the trip: Routine vaccines, COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Measles, Monkeypox.
  • France Diplomatie reports in the country: dengue, malaria, chikungunya — mosquito protection day and night.
  • See a doctor or a travel clinic 8 weeks before departure (Foreign Office).
  • Carry your medicines in their packaging, with a prescription using international non-proprietary names (France Diplomatie).

SourcesCDC Travelers' Health · read 10.10France Diplomatie · updated 07.10 · read 15.10OMS · read 15.10Foreign Office · updated 19.03 · read 15.10

Can I be treated in Vanuatu, or will I be evacuated?

0.2 physicians per 1,000 people (2019) versus 4.5 in Switzerland.

  • 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 143 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.
  • When the local facility is not enough, Maximum's medical team decides the evacuation to a suitable centre, and pays for it (art. 6.2.2).

SourcesWorld Bank · read 10.10General conditions, policy 20 00 479

Vanuatu: safety, in figures?

0.3 homicides per 100,000 people (2020) versus 0.6 in Switzerland and 1.3 in France.

  • 14.9 road deaths per 100,000 people versus 2.2 in Switzerland (World Bank, WHO).
  • The homicide rate is in the same range as Switzerland or France. On the road, 7 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.

SourcesWorld Bank (UNODC, WHO) · read 10.10UCDP

Where is my embassy in Vanuatu, and why register?

The nearest representations, by passport (OpenStreetMap):

  • France — Ambassade de France (0.6 km) · +678 28 700
  • United Kingdom — Haut-commissariat du Royaume-Uni (0.6 km)
  • Register before leaving: France: Ariane · Switzerland: Travel Admin · United Kingdom: Foreign Office alerts · United States: STEP.
  • Two minutes, and in a crisis your country's authorities can reach you and count you in an evacuation.
  • Pick your passport at the top of Contacts: your embassy comes first.

SourcesOpenStreetMap · read 12.10DFAE

Which regions of Vanuatu should I avoid, precisely?

No region is advised against by the official readings checked (Global Affairs Canada, Foreign Office and France Diplomatie): the national advice applies everywhere.

  • Your point (Shefa): country-wide vigilance.
  • Maximum does not exclude these areas: the VIP Pack covers care and repatriation there (sanctions, embargoes and a country already at war at departure remain enforceable).

SourcesGlobal Affairs Canada · updated 13.10 · read 16.10Foreign Office · updated 19.03 · read 15.10France Diplomatie · updated 07.10 · read 15.10

Which laws and customs should I know in Vanuatu?

Local laws apply to every traveller; here is what the official texts say.

  • You must abide by local laws and respect religious and social traditions, dressing conservatively and behaving discreetly, especially avoiding beach attire outside of beaches or resorts.
  • Penalties for drug possession, use, or trafficking are severe, potentially leading to jail sentences and heavy fines; avoid all recreational drugs.
  • Alcohol sales are prohibited from midday Saturday to 7am Monday in supermarkets, though clubs, bars, and hotels may serve it during this period.
  • Always ask permission before photographing locals and be aware that some kava bars may not welcome women.
  • Same-sex sexual acts are legal, but public displays of affection may attract negative attention and offend some people.

SourcesGlobal Affairs Canada · updated 13.10 · read 16.10Foreign Office · updated 19.03 · read 15.10

Who can I call at any hour from Vanuatu?

Every foreign ministry runs a 24/7 emergency line for its nationals.

  • France — Crisis and Support Centre — French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs: +33 1 53 59 11 00. 24/7 emergency line, standard rate. First contact abroad: the French embassy or consulate.
  • Switzerland — FDFA Helpline: +41 58 465 33 33 · +41 800 24 7 365. 24/7, 365 days a year — helpline@eda.admin.ch. Beware of scam calls spoofing these numbers.
  • United Kingdom — Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: +44 20 7008 5000. 24 hours, for British nationals.
  • United States — Overseas Citizens Services — U.S. Department of State: +1 202 501 4444 · +1 888 407 4747. From abroad; the second number from the U.S. and Canada.
  • On site, Ambassade de France: +678 28 700.

Sourcesdiplomatie.gouv.fr · updated 07.10 · read 15.10eda.admin.ch

What should I keep after leaving Vanuatu, and how do I file a claim?

Keep the entry stamp, the invoices, the prescriptions and the medical report.

  • File within 30 days (art. 35.7) from your client area, with the documents; the official forms are pre-filled.
  • Costs advanced on site are reimbursed against receipts.
  • Fever, persistent diarrhoea or a rash in the following weeks? See a doctor and say where you have been — dengue, malaria, chikungunya circulate in the country (France Diplomatie).

SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479

What does the Pack VIP Extreme add?

Cancellation or change up to EUR 20,000, special risk EUR 5,000 per person, crisis management and security, optional Kidnap & Ransom.

  • Special risk (Module A): political event, attack, epidemic, natural disaster — opens when the FDFA, the FOPH or WHO advise against the trip (art. 18.1).
  • Epidemic: assistance must be requested within 7 days of the WHO or FDFA qualification (art. 36.2).
  • Crisis management and security: trip registration, monitoring, extraction, evacuation in case of riot, war, terrorism or disaster; Kidnap & Ransom subject to eligibility (art. 18.4).
  • €2,290 a year, unlimited trips.

SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479

A question not answered here? Ask Maximum below, or call the support number: every question gets a clear, actionable answer.

A question? Maximum answers.Answers built from the Vanuatu file and your policy.

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.

What Maximum knows

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: Palau · Paraguay · Poland · French Polynesia · Portugal · Romania

Cross-check with official sources
U.S. State Department → UK FCDO → France Diplomatie → DFAE (Suisse) →

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.

Travel covered to Vanuatu
Get the Pack VIP — €990/yr Cover a team
Check my current cover in Vanuatu

The destination is already Port Vila. A few choices, then the reading of your cover, here.

Go further
Insured in an advised-against country →What a repatriation really costs →Who pays the hospital abroad →Where the United States, France and the United Kingdom disagree →Is an employer required to insure an employee on assignment abroad? →What insurance do you need for an assignment abroad? →

All 13 files, together → · All 207 countries →