Reality Brief: Maputo

Current alerts

No official alerts recorded for this region.

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

Essentials before you arrive

• For tourist or business stays of up to 30 days, apply online at evisa.gov.mz at least 5 working days before departure and pay online (about 40 euros or 47 USD); keep the receipt. The stamp is issued on arrival on presentation of supporting documents (return ticket, paid accommodation, means of support).

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mozambique, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Mozambique travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence

• Passport valid for 6 months after the end of your stay, with at least 2 blank pages: the authorities are strict. Carry your original documents; uncertified copies are not enough at checks.

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

• Emergencies 112; if the call fails: ambulance 848888 or 823388, fire 198.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Mozambique travel advice: getting helpGuide: Health

• Strongly advised against by France (update of 11 March 2026): the whole of Cabo Delgado province, including Pemba, the eastern third of Niassa and the Tanzanian border as far as Malawi, and several districts of northern Nampula (Memba, Eráti, Mecuburi, Lalaua, Nacaroa). Advised against except for essential travel: western Niassa and southern Nampula province, including the cities of Nampula and Nacala.

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

• Assaults and armed robberies, day and night, have risen sharply in Maputo since 2025, especially downtown and in expatriate areas; kidnappings for ransom in Maputo and Beira. Beaches and islands are not policed.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mozambique, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Mozambique travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Driving on the left, international permit required, third-party insurance (sold at borders), two warning triangles. Never drive at night outside towns and plan no more than 500 km per day. Police checks are frequent; road taxes in dollars at some borders. Cycling on roads is strongly advised against.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mozambique, useful informationFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mozambique, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• The currency is the metical (MZN). Dollars and rand are the easiest to exchange; tolls on the N4 accept cash only.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: MozambiqueFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mozambique, useful informationGuide: Money and banking

Living in Maputo

• Assaults and armed robberies, day and night, have risen sharply in Maputo since 2025, especially downtown and in expatriate areas; kidnappings for ransom in Maputo and Beira. Beaches and islands are not policed.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mozambique, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Mozambique travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Safety and emergencies

• The currency is the metical (MZN). Dollars and rand are the easiest to exchange; tolls on the N4 accept cash only.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: MozambiqueFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mozambique, useful informationGuide: Money and banking

• Driving on the left, international permit required, third-party insurance (sold at borders), two warning triangles. Never drive at night outside towns and plan no more than 500 km per day. Police checks are frequent; road taxes in dollars at some borders. Cycling on roads is strongly advised against.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mozambique, useful informationFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Mozambique, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (34), clinics (8), hospitals (20). 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 (39), supermarkets (41). 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 (106), cash machines (14), currency exchange (5). 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.

• Tip

  A furnished flat for the first weeks

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (3). 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 (6). Note the address of your country's consulate or the nearest embassy.

• Emergency numbers

  Emergencies 112; ambulance 848888 or 823388; fire 198.

  112+258 848888+258 823388198

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

• Embassy of France in Mozambique

  Passport: France

  French embassy in Maputo, also covering Eswatini.

  Avenida Julius Nyerere, BP 4781, Maputo+258 21 48 46 00

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