Guineea-Bissau

Passport validity requirements

To enter Guinea-Bissau, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

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 visit Guinea-Bissau.

Applying for a visa

Contact the Guinea-Bissau Embassy in Paris, France, for information on applying for a visa:

94 Rue St Lazare, 75009 Paris
Email: embgbfr@gmail.com
Telephone: +33 (0)1 48 74 36 39 or +33 (0)1 48 78 36 69

Guinea-Bissau also has embassies in neighbouring countries, including Senegal, where you may be able to get a visa.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Guinea-Bissau, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination.

For more details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Guinea-Bissau guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Guinea-Bissau. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Guinea-Bissau. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Emergency services in Guinea-Bissau

Ambulance: 1313

Fire: 1313

Police: 117

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• being arrested or imprisoned in Guinea-Bissau
• dealing with a death abroad
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call  FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice 

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

Get travel advice updates 

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook
• Travel Aware on Instagram 

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

You must carry ID such as a passport or residence permit, particularly when driving or in a taxi. Police forces regularly ask for ID.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

There are severe penalties for all drug offences. Local prison conditions are harsh.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual relationships are not criminalised. However, Guinea-Bissau is a conservative society and same-sex couples showing affection in public may attract unwanted and negative attention.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Money

Guinea-Bissau is a cash-based economy. Credit cards are rarely used and there are not many ATMs in the country. If you need to exchange foreign currency, use an official bureau de change.