Reality Brief: Moroni

Current alerts

No official alerts recorded for this region.

Essentials before you arrive

• A visa is required; it is issued on arrival at Moroni airport for about 30 euros, on presentation of a return ticket, 30 euros per day of stay and your accommodation address.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Comoros, entry and residenceGuide: Entry and residence

• Passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Comoros travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence

• Police 117, fire 113 or 114; local police +269 773 46 63. Hospitals: El Maarouf (Grande Comore) +269 773 26 04, Fomboni (Mohéli) +269 772 03 73, Hombo (Anjouan) +269 771 00 34.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Comoros travel advice: getting helpFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Comoros, useful contactsGuide: Health

• Health capacity is very weak, including in the capital: insurance covering evacuation is essential.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Comoros, safetyGuide: Health

• Arrive by air. Between the islands, use authorised sea operators (notably SGTM) and check airlines' safety standards; never board a kwassa-kwassa (prison and fine). Recreational sailing is advised against (piracy).

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Comoros, safetyFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Comoros, useful informationGuide: Getting around

• The currency is the Comorian franc (KMF). The economy runs on cash: ATMs are rare and unreliable in Moroni, cards are rarely accepted, euro cheques are refused.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: ComorosFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Comoros, safetyGuide: Money and banking

• Modest dress is recommended. Drinking alcohol in the street and public drunkenness are banned; during Ramadan, do not eat in public in the daytime. A morality brigade checks IDs at night near bars: carry ID. Ask before photographing people and avoid public buildings.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Comoros, useful informationGuide: Daily life and local laws

Living in Moroni

• The whole archipelago is under heightened vigilance. Burglaries, snatch thefts and car break-ins remain relatively rare: take care in markets and on beaches, and stay away from gatherings.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Comoros, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• The currency is the Comorian franc (KMF). The economy runs on cash: ATMs are rare and unreliable in Moroni, cards are rarely accepted, euro cheques are refused.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: ComorosFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Comoros, safetyGuide: Money and banking

• Mount Karthala (2,361 m) is active, with renewed seismic activity in 2022: prepare any trip like a high-mountain outing. Volcanic and seismic activity affects the whole archipelago, including at sea.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Comoros, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (19), clinics (7), hospitals (2). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.

• Tip

  Where to shop for food

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): markets (7), supermarkets (14). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.

• Tip

  Banks, cash machines and exchange

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (16), money transfer (1). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.

• Tip

  A shop for your SIM card

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (10). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.

• Emergency numbers

  Police 117, fire 113 or 114.

  117113114

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Comoros travel advice: getting help· Oct 2, 2026

• Local police

  Police.

  +269 773 46 63

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Comoros, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Hôpital El Maarouf

  Medical emergencies, Grande Comore.

  +269 773 26 04

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Comoros, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Embassy of France in Comoros

  Passport: France

  French embassy in Moroni.

  Boulevard de Strasbourg, BP 465, Moroni+33 1 88 24 56 77

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Comoros, entry and residence· Oct 2, 2026