Smart tips are practical advice drawn from ServAfrica's experience. Mistakes to avoid and misconceptions use sourced information from this destination's guides; open the guide for details and sources.
Save money and time, avoid mistakes and scams, find reliable services: practical advice for your profile and the stage of your project.
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According to France: SMUR ambulance 1333. According to the UK: ambulance 117, and SOS Médecins on 1300, 0174 or 0880 depending on your mobile network. Operators may speak only French.
Next review: 3/31/27
Visa and Mastercard are accepted in Libreville's large hotels, restaurants and supermarkets. ATMs exist, but withdrawals are limited.
Next review: 3/31/27
Insurance covering medical costs, hospitalisation and repatriation is essential: without it, you may be refused care, even in an emergency. The embassy does not pay these costs.
Next review: 3/31/27
The operators are Moov Africa, Gabon Telecom and Airtel Gabon. Buy your SIM card in an official shop: those sold in the street are often already used.
Next review: 3/31/27
Burglaries mostly happen at night and can be violent; gangs know how to get round security systems.
Next review: 3/31/27
Paying bills (water, electricity, internet) by mobile phone is spreading fast.
Next review: 3/31/27
The AEFE lists 11 accredited French-curriculum schools in Gabon: Franceville: École publique conventionnée de Franceville (partner school); Libreville: École publique conventionnée d'Owendo (partner school), École publique conventionnée des Charbonnages (partner school), École publique conventionnée Gros Bouquet I (partner school), École publique conventionnée Gros Bouquet II (partner school), Lycée Blaise-Pascal (under agreement with the AEFE); Moanda: École primaire Comilog (partner school), Lycée Henri-Sylvoz (partner school); Port-Gentil: École Léopold-Sédar-Senghor (partner school), École publique conventionnée de Port-Gentil (partner school), Lycée français Victor-Hugo de Port-Gentil (under agreement with the AEFE).
Next review: 3/31/27
Domestic flights are run by airlines of varying quality, some of which are banned in the European Union: check before booking.
Next review: 3/31/27
A 4x4 is strongly advised outside towns; in the rainy season, some roads become impassable. Check road conditions before setting off.
Next review: 3/31/27
Carry: licence, proof of insurance, inspection certificate, reflective vest, warning triangle, fire extinguisher and first aid kit. Using a phone while driving is prohibited.
Next review: 3/31/27
Anyone receiving a French state pension while living here must prove they are alive every year: the life certificate is completed by a competent local authority or validated in the "Mon certificat de vie" app, without travelling. Without a reply within 2 months, pension payments are suspended. For this country, the listed authority is an authorised French consulate.
Next review: 3/31/27
Before committing, enter your savings, your income on site and your planned expenses in the My project budget: AfriPilot calculates how many months you can last at that pace. Many returns fail after six to twelve months because this calculation was never done.
Next review: 10/2/27
Set aside several months of expenses that you will not use for settling in: health emergencies, a delayed income, an early return.
Next review: 10/2/27
In the first months, people often overestimate their needs: housing, car, staff, outings. Start simply, watch your real spending for three months, then step up if your budget allows. The reverse is much harder.
Next review: 10/2/27
Book temporary accommodation (furnished flat, residence, family) for the first weeks, so you can visit several neighbourhoods at different times of day before choosing.
Next review: 10/2/27
Check rush-hour journeys, water and power cuts, noise, safety at night, and access to schools and healthcare. A long lease signed too quickly is one of the costliest mistakes.
Next review: 10/2/27
Starting with a high rent is a frequent cause of running out of savings. Compare several neighbourhoods and standards; the My project budget warns you when housing exceeds the ServAfrica benchmark of 35% of monthly expenses.
What changes the gain: Depends on the neighbourhood, the standard and the length of the lease.
Next review: 10/2/27
The contract should state the term, rent, deposit, advance requested, charges and repairs. Pay nothing before visiting and checking that the person is really the owner or their authorised agent.
Next review: 10/2/27
Several months of rent in advance are often requested when moving in. This amount can frequently be negotiated; include it in your one-off expenses rather than discovering it at signing.
Next review: 10/2/27
Most countries have good schools at reasonable fees. Visit at least three, ask about results, class sizes and all fees (registration, canteen, uniforms, transport). Price alone does not guarantee quality.
Next review: 10/2/27
A distant school also costs morning and evening journeys. Compare the school bus, a private taxi booked for school hours or a closer school before hiring a driver.
What changes the gain: Depends on distance, number of children and timetables.
Next review: 10/2/27
For regular journeys (school, work, errands), first try private taxis booked by the hour or half-day. A full-time driver is only justified if your real needs call for one.
What changes the gain: Depends on the number of daily journeys and waiting time.
Next review: 10/2/27
First try local transport and your real journeys. A car also costs insurance, maintenance, fuel, parking and sometimes a driver.
Next review: 10/2/27
Before buying, have the vehicle checked by an independent mechanic and verify the papers (registration, owner, customs clearance, insurance, roadworthiness) with the relevant offices.
Next review: 10/2/27
For several errands on the same day, compare single rides with a taxi booked for several hours. Before leaving, agree on the price, duration, stops, waiting time and return.
What changes the gain: Depends on the number of stops and waiting time.
Next review: 10/2/27
A local line cuts roaming costs and makes taxis, deliveries, mobile payments and contacts easier. Bring your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.
Next review: 10/2/27
In many countries, mobile money is used every day (shopping, bills, transfers). Compare operator fees and keep some cash for places that do not accept it.
Next review: 10/2/27
Check withdrawal and payment fees abroad with your bank, tell it about your trip, take two cards from different networks and some cash. Each destination's Money guide says where cards are accepted.
Next review: 10/2/27
Find the ATMs that accept your card and the authorised exchange offices near your home. Only change money in official places, never in the street.
Next review: 10/2/27
Pension, salary or savings: compare fees and exchange rates between your bank, transfer services and local accounts. A small difference per transfer adds up over a year.
What changes the gain: Depends on the amount, frequency and exchange rate applied.
Next review: 10/2/27
Find out which documents are required (passport, residence permit, proof of address, sometimes proof of income) and bring them all at once to avoid several trips.
Next review: 10/2/27
In the first days, locate a pharmacy, a medical centre and a hospital near your home, and note the emergency numbers from the Health guide. If something happens, you will not lose time.
Next review: 10/2/27
Check what your current insurance covers abroad and for how long. A hospital stay or evacuation without cover can be very expensive.
Next review: 10/2/27
Bring a supply of your usual medicines in their packaging with the prescription, and ask your doctor for advice before leaving. Some medicines are hard to find or need authorisation depending on the country.
Next review: 10/2/27
When you do not yet know the neighbourhood, compare the options: ready meals from supermarkets, local restaurants, the market, delivery, cooking at home. Restaurants mainly used by expatriates are often the most expensive.
What changes the gain: Depends on the neighbourhood and your habits.
Next review: 10/2/27
The market is often cheaper for fresh produce, the supermarket handy for the rest. Note delivery days and compare a few basic prices before settling into habits.
Next review: 10/2/27
Depending on the country and neighbourhood, tap water is not always safe to drink. Plan for bottled water or a suitable filter and ask how often water is cut in your area.
Next review: 10/2/27
Before choosing a home, ask how often the power goes off and whether there is a generator, an inverter or solar panels. Protect your appliances with voltage regulators.
Next review: 10/2/27
Guard, cleaning, gardening: set out duties, hours, pay and leave in writing, find out the country's declaration obligations and do not hire more staff than you need at first.
Next review: 10/2/27
Tradesperson, mover, agency: ask for several written quotes and client references, and pay only a reasonable deposit, with the balance at the end of the job.
Next review: 10/2/27
Passport, civil status records, diplomas, contracts, prescriptions: keep a digital copy in the My project vault and paper copies kept apart from the originals.
Next review: 10/2/27
Residence permit, resident card, work permit: find out before leaving which documents are required, often legalised or translated, and file without waiting for your visa to expire.
Next review: 10/2/27
Private sites imitate official visa portals and charge much more. Use the official address given in the Entry and residence guide.
Next review: 10/2/27
Freight and customs duties are expensive. Compare the cost of shipping an item with buying it locally, and read the customs rules in the Entry and residence guide before shipping.
What changes the gain: Depends on volume, shipping method and customs duties.
Next review: 10/2/27
Check with the competent land office that the title exists and who holds it, involve a notary and a surveyor, and be wary of rushed sales or unusually low prices. Pay nothing to an intermediary without proof of their mandate.
Next review: 10/2/27
Pay in instalments tied to verified progress (dated photos, a visit by a trusted third party), keep every receipt and allow a margin for the unexpected. AfriPilot's Remote control tool lists useful measures.
Next review: 10/2/27
Start small and measure real demand and your costs for a few months before buying equipment or signing a long commercial lease. AfriPilot's Invest Check and profitability calculator help you work out the figures.
Next review: 10/2/27
Partner, manager, supplier: define roles, money contributed, account access and how to part ways in writing. Never give all access to a single person.
Next review: 10/2/27
Use the one-stop shop or official registry listed in Start a business rather than an unauthorised intermediary, and keep the receipt for each formality.
Next review: 10/2/27
Family, friend or manager: entrusting all your errands, money and keys to one person creates a risky dependency. Keep control of your accounts, get several opinions and keep proof of every payment.
Next review: 10/2/27
Read the destination's Safety guide, avoid travelling at night off main roads, do not show valuables and share your movements with someone close in the first weeks.
Next review: 10/2/27
Beaches, markets, cultural events, local outings: ask residents for advice. Places mainly used by expatriates are often much more expensive.
Next review: 10/2/27
If you work remotely, test the connection at home, compare providers and find a coworking space as a fallback.
Next review: 10/2/27
Ask your pension funds about payment abroad, the annual life certificate and social security agreements. The destination's Retirement guide summarises what exists.
Next review: 10/2/27
Plan an amount per day for accommodation, meals, transport and visits, and track it. Agree on the price of transport and purchases before committing.
Next review: 10/2/27
Practical advice drawn from ServAfrica's experience and field feedback: methods, not guaranteed figures. Prices and rules vary by city; always check them locally.
Step-by-step paths for big decisions, with the destination's guides and useful tools.
Pitfalls flagged by official sources, with the guide that explains everything
Buying, possessing or using drugs, in any quantity, is very severely punished: up to 10 years in prison.
Do not photograph people, markets, crowds or official buildings without permission; photographing military sites or airports is illegal. In the provinces, ask the village chief.
Be vigilant at night everywhere in the country; avoid travelling at night.
Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory and the vaccination record is checked systematically at entry. It is given at an approved centre, preferably at least 10 days before departure.
Taxis work like buses and pick up other passengers; assaults on passengers have been reported. The UK advises a licensed taxi booked for you alone.
A common belief, then what official sources say
Common belief
“Malaria only affects rural areas.”
Reality
It is present throughout the country
Malaria is present throughout the country and regularly kills travellers. Prevention combines protection against bites and preventive treatment prescribed by a doctor. Any fever during the stay or after your return requires prompt medical attention.
Common belief
“A passport valid on the day you leave is enough.”
Reality
Your passport must remain valid for several months
Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months. Canada specifies 6 months beyond your planned exit date; the UK 6 months after your arrival date.
