Reality Brief: Nouadhibou

Current alerts

No official alerts recorded for this region.

Alerts checked on October 2, 2026 against the sources cited.

Essentials before you arrive

• Passport: France

  Since 5 January 2025, you first need an electronic visa authorisation (anrpts.gov.mr), shown at boarding or at the border post, then the visa is issued on arrival (biometrics, 55 euros for 30 days, single entry). Keep the authorisation: it is checked again on exit with the entry stamp.

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

• Enter only through the 21 international crossing points (Nouakchott and Nouadhibou airports and ports, PK55, Rosso, Diama…). The Gogui post is in a red zone. Borders close at 17:00 or 18:00: arrive early.

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

• Bringing in alcohol or pork products is prohibited. Even a small amount of alcohol or cannabis found at the border or during a check leads to custody and trial, with a high risk of prison.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mauritania, entry and residenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mauritania, useful informationGuide: Entry and residence

• Police 17, fire 18, gendarmerie 119, ambulance 101. The UK notes the authorities may not answer.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mauritania, useful contactsFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mauritania, useful informationGOV.UK (FCDO), Mauritania travel advice: getting helpGuide: Health

• Strongly advised against by France (update of 11 March 2026): the approaches to the Malian border, north of Zouérate, east of the Ghallaouia-Akhrejit line, north-east of Zouérate-Ghallaouia and south-east of Akhrejit-Kankossa. In the north-east, a "military zone" (east of 10° W and north of 18°40') is accessible only with army authorisation.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mauritania, safetyFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mauritania, entry and residenceGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Sand-covered roads, animals, poorly maintained vehicles: serious accidents are frequent, and driving at night outside towns is particularly dangerous. At PK55, the track is lined with mines: never leave it. Off tarmac (Banc d'Arguin), two vehicles and an experienced guide.

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

• The law classes alcohol and cannabis as narcotics: use and trafficking are severely punished.

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

Living in Nouadhibou

• Sand-covered roads, animals, poorly maintained vehicles: serious accidents are frequent, and driving at night outside towns is particularly dangerous. At PK55, the track is lined with mines: never leave it. Off tarmac (Banc d'Arguin), two vehicles and an experienced guide.

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

• Advised against except for essential travel: the border from Nouadhibou to Zouérate (except PK55, without leaving the track), north of Choum-Aghouedir, east of Aghouedir-Tichit and south-east of Tichit-Kaédi (Assaba, Gorgol, Guidimaka).

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

• Enter only through the 21 international crossing points (Nouakchott and Nouadhibou airports and ports, PK55, Rosso, Diama…). The Gogui post is in a red zone. Borders close at 17:00 or 18:00: arrive early.

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

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (4), 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 (1), supermarkets (1). 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 (6), currency exchange (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 (1). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.

• Tip

  A furnished flat for the first weeks

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (1). A furnished flat gives you time to visit several neighbourhoods before signing a lease.

• Tip

  Consulates in the city

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): consulates (1). Note the address of your country's consulate or the nearest embassy.

• Emergency numbers

  Police 17, fire 18, gendarmerie 119, ambulance 101.

  1718119101

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mauritania, useful contactsFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mauritania, useful information· Oct 2, 2026

• Consular agency of France in Nouadhibou

  Passport: France

  Consular agency.

  +222 42 21 71 73

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