VoyaggoraTravel Live
Government advisories for Benin
US State Department
US L2 · Increased cautionExercise Increased Caution
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…
Official notice Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov) · updated Jan 7, 2026
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)
UK · regionalAdvises against all travel to some areas and all but essential travel to others
Latest 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).
Official notice Source: gov.uk · updated Dec 15, 2025
Local scams and street crime
- Terrorist kidnap: 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…
- Street crime: Street crime, including theft and mugging, is common in Cotonou. Pickpockets often operate in places visited by international travellers. To reduce your personal risk: take care in crowded areas, including hotels, bars and on public transport avoid walking alone at night and in isolated areas be alert in Grand Marché…
- Vehicle crime: Be alert to the risk of carjacking both in Cotonou and on roads outside towns and cities. Always keep doors locked and windows closed when driving and avoid driving after dark. Do not slow down or stop if people signal you to pull over.
Official notice Source: UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licence v3.0) · updated Dec 15, 2025
LGBT+ and women travellers: what the UK FCDO says
- LGBT+ travellers: Same-sex sexual activity is legal, but same-sex relationships are not widely accepted. Showing affection in public can receive negative attention.
Official notice Source: UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licence v3.0) · updated Dec 15, 2025
Women, children and family: what governments say
- Women's safety (Government of Canada): Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment or verbal abuse.
Official notice Source: Government of Canada and UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licences)
Pregnancy and children: CDC health notes for Benin
- Malaria: 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. Ask a travel-health provider which medicine suits pregnancy or young children before you go.
- Hepatitis A (children): Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A.
- Measles (children): All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .
- Polio (children): Vaccine recommendations : Adults traveling to Benin who received a complete polio vaccination series as children may receive a single lifetime booster dose of inactivated polio vaccine; travelers who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated should receive a...
CDC health page for Benin · CDC: pregnant travelers · CDC: traveling with children
Official notice Source: CDC Travelers' Health (US government, public domain). General information, not medical advice: see a doctor or travel clinic before you go.
Government of Canada
CA 2 · High degree of cautionExercise a high degree of caution (some regions differ)
Latest change: Natural disasters and climate section – added information on El Niño
Official notice Source: travel.gc.ca · updated Oct 14, 2026
US State Department: advisories for specific areas
- 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.
Read the official advisory for the exact areas
Official notice Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov) · updated Jan 7, 2026
Government of Canada: regional advisories
Border areas with Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Togo - Avoid all travel
Avoid all travel to the following areas due to the threat of terrorism, banditry, and the risk of kidnapping:
- along the border with Togo in the Atacora Department west of the Boukoumbé-Tanguiéta axis
- within 50 km of the border with Burkina Faso
- within 50 km of the border with Niger and all the area north of the Interstate 7 motorway
- within 50 km of the border with Nigeria, north of the town of Nikki in Borgou Department
Northern departments - Avoid non-essential travel
Avoid non-essential travel to the departments of Atacora and Alibori due to the threat of terrorism and the risk of kidnapping.
Portion of the Borgou Department along the border with Nigeria - Avoid non-essential travel
Avoid non-essential travel to within 50 km of the Nigerian border south of the town of Nikki in the Borgou Department.
Read the full Canadian advisory
Official notice Source: travel.gc.ca (Government of Canada, Open Government Licence - Canada) · updated Oct 14, 2026
German Foreign Office
DE · partial travel warningPartial travel warning
Official notice Source: Auswärtiges Amt · updated Oct 13, 2026
Read the official travel and safety advice
Dutch Foreign Ministry
NL · yellowYellow: be alert, safety risks (regions differ, up to red)
De kleurcode van het reisadvies is rood voor de noordelijke regio’s van Benin die grenzen aan Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger en Nigeria. Wat uw situatie ook is: reis niet hierheen. Het is er te gevaarlijk. Lees meer onder Regionale risico’s. Kleurcode oranje geldt voor het gebied tussen de stad Kandi en de lijn Kouandé-Bemb
Official notice Source: Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Nederland Wereldwijd (open data, CC0) · updated Oct 15, 2026
Japan Foreign Ministry
JP L3 · Avoid all travelHighest level: Avoid all travel
Level 3 in 1 area, level 2 in 1 area, level 1 in 1 area. Areas can differ; the highest level applies only where the ministry says so.
ベナンの危険情報【一部地域の危険レベル引上げ）】
Official notice Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Overseas Safety Homepage · updated Sep 4, 2025
Each government uses its own scale. Read the full advisory before you book or travel; regional differences inside a country can matter more than the headline level.
Where in Benin the UK advises against travel
Northern border regions
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:
- the area between the Parc du W and the border with Niger
- the Pendjari National Park and adjacent hunting grounds
- all other areas within 5km of the border with Burkina Faso
Eastern Benin
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.
Alibori and Atacora
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 .
Official notice Source: UK FCDO travel advice, areas where it advises against travel (Open Government Licence v3.0) · updated Dec 15, 2025
Entry requirements for Benin
🇬🇧 British passport holders
- Visa: You must have a visa to enter or travel through Benin.
- Passport: Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.
Read the full UK entry requirements
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).
Passport validity requirements
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.
Dual nationals
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.
Visa requirements
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).
Applying for a visa
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.
Visas for Nigeria, Ghana and Togo
You cannot get entry visas for Nigeria, Ghana or Togo in Benin. For onward travel you must apply for visas before travelling to Benin.
Vaccine requirements
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.
Customs rules
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.
Official notice Source: UK Foreign Office · updated Dec 15, 2025
🇨🇦 Canadian passport holders
- Tourist visa: required
Read the full Canadian entry requirements
Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.
The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.
We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.
Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.
Passport
Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.
Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.
Regular Canadian passport
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Benin.
Passport for official travel
Different entry rules may apply.
Passport with “X” gender identifier
While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.
You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.
Other travel documents
Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.
Useful links
- Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
- Foreign Representatives in Canada
- Canadian passports and other travel documents
Visas
Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required
Student visa: required
You must obtain your visa prior to arriving in Benin. You can apply online through the Benin government website.
Some fraudulent websites claim to offer Benin visas.
Make sure you use Benin’s official website only for your entry visa and stay applications.
E-visa - Republic of Benin
Children and travel
Learn about travelling with children.
Yellow fever
Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).
Official notice Source: Government of Canada · updated Oct 14, 2026
Other passports
Rules depend on your nationality, so we do not guess. Before you book:
- Read your own government's travel advice first (US travellers: State Department page for Benin).
- Not sure what your passport needs? Check the visa rules for your nationality (eVisas visa checker) or compare with VisaHQ. These are affiliate links: if you use their application service we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Official government sites are usually cheaper and are linked above where we have them.
- Check your passport: many countries want it valid for 6 months after arrival and with blank pages.
- Check for an e-visa, travel authorisation or digital arrival card, and any vaccine rules (yellow fever is the common one).
- Ask your airline: they can refuse boarding if your documents do not match the rules.
Entry rules are set by each government and change without notice. This summary is for planning only and is not legal or immigration advice. Confirm on the official government website and with your airline before you book or travel. Voyaggora is not a government agency and does not process visas.
Essentials for travelers
Police 117 Ambulance 112 Fire 118
- Plugs: type C, E
- Power: 220 V, 50 Hz
- Traffic drives on the right
- Tap water: not recommended
- Calling code: +229
Compiled by Voyaggora from IEC World Plugs, government and consular sources. Confidence: high. Check with your embassy or hotel before you rely on it in an emergency.
Local language
Bénin French
Essential phrases in French
| Hello | Bonjour | |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you | Merci | |
| Help! | Au secours ! | |
| Where is the hospital? | Où est l'hôpital ? | |
| I need the police | J'ai besoin de la police | |
| I need a doctor | J'ai besoin d'un médecin | |
| How much is it? | C'est combien ? | |
| Where is the toilet? | Où sont les toilettes ? |
Country names come from the Unicode CLDR. Phrases are short standard translations; show them on your phone to ask for help.
Official weather warnings
- METEO Alerte météo du 17 octobre 2026 à 20h40 ·
Des orages accompagnés de pluies d'intensité faible à modérée, seront observés au cours de cette soirée et la nuit dans quelques localités des Collines et du Plateau. Agency website - METEO Alerte météo du 17 octobre 2026 à 16h10 ·
Des orages accompagnés de pluies sont attendus se manifesteront dans quelques localités des départements du Plateau, du Zou, du Couffo, du Mono, de l'Atlantique et de l'Atacora au cours de cet après-midi et une partie de la soirée.… Agency website - METEO Orages et pluies ·
Des pluies faibles à modérées affectent les départements des Collines, de la Donga, du Borgou et de l’Atacora au cours de cette nuit. Au fil des heures, les départements du Plateau, du Zou et du Couffo pourraient également être touchés par… Agency website - METEO Alerte météo du 15 octobre 2026 à 22h12 ·
Des pluies faibles à modérées affectent les départements des Collines, de la Donga, du Borgou et de l’Atacora au cours de cette nuit. Au fil des heures, les départements du Plateau, du Zou et du Couffo pourraient également être touchés par… Agency website
Live feed Source: national weather service via WMO Alert Hub · checked · shown in the service's own words
More live hazards and notices
- Official weather/hazard alerts:
- Alerte météo du 17 octobre 2026 à 20h40: Des orages accompagnés de pluies d'intensité faible à modérée, seront observés au cours de cette soirée et la nuit dans quelques localités des Collines et du Plateau.
- Alerte météo du 17 octobre 2026 à 16h10: Des orages accompagnés de pluies sont attendus se manifesteront dans quelques localités des départements du Plateau, du Zou, du Couffo, du Mono, de l'Atlantique et de l'Atacora au cours de cet après-m
- Globe at Night campaign running 2026-11-01 to 2026-11-10: look for Cygnus, Grus, Pegasus. Join in: globeatnight.org.
Live feed Sources: NOAA / NWS (ash advisories from the ICAO Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres, aurora from the Space Weather Prediction Center), USGS, GeoNet New Zealand (CC BY 3.0 NZ) · checked
Health and vaccines
Vaccines, malaria and yellow-fever certificate rules: TravelHealthPro country pages (UK Health Security Agency), CDC destination pages, UK Foreign Office health advice. Ask a travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before you go.
Money
1 US dollar ≈ 584.38 XOF · 1 euro ≈ 656.26 XOF
Central-bank reference rate for Oct 18, 2026. Your card or exchange desk will differ.
Live feed Source: Frankfurter · checked
Voyaggora destination guides
Quick answers: is it safe to travel to Benin?
- Is it safe to travel to Benin right now?
- It depends on where you go. As of Oct 18, 08:26 UTC. The US State Department rates Benin Level 2 of 4, "Increased caution". Canada says "Exercise a high degree of caution", with regional advisories. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to some areas of Benin and all but essential travel to others. Advisory levels change and can vary by region within a country: check the official page before you travel. Sources: US State Department Canada UK FCDO.
- Which parts of Benin do governments warn about?
- Governments warn about parts of Benin rather than the whole country. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to some areas of Benin and all but essential travel to others. Canada lists regional advisories. The US State Department page lists area-specific levels. Open each official page for the exact areas and routes.
- Are there any active weather or hazard alerts in Benin right now?
- As of Oct 18, 08:26 UTC, Travel Live shows these live hazard and alert sections for Benin: official weather warnings, more live hazards and notices. Each one on this page names its official source and the time it was checked. Worldwide storms, earthquakes and disasters are on the Travel Live hub.
- What do the advisory levels mean?
- US State Department: Level 1 exercise normal precautions, Level 2 exercise increased caution, Level 3 reconsider travel, Level 4 do not travel. Canada: take normal security precautions, exercise a high degree of caution, avoid non-essential travel, avoid all travel. UK FCDO: it advises against all travel, or all but essential travel, to the whole country or to parts of it, or has no warnings. Each government uses its own scale, so the levels are not directly comparable.
Get alerts
Prefer a feed reader or the weekly email? Alerts feed (Atom/RSS) · Weekly Brief by email
Know before you go
Get the biggest travel alerts and where to go next in our free Weekly Brief.
Get the Weekly BriefWe do not have a live airport, road or transit feed for Benin. We show the official government notices above with their dates rather than guessing.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Voyaggora summarises official sources and is not a government service; always confirm with the official advisory before you travel.