Equatorial Guinea

Security Status

High Degree of Caution

General Travel Advice

Irish citizens require a visa to enter Equatorial Guinea and can now apply online for an electronic visa.

A valid passport is required for travel to Equatorial Guinea. Irish passports should have a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry. Passport cards cannot be used.

The yellow fever vaccination is an entry requirement for Equatorial Guinea and a yellow fever vaccination certificate will be requested by border control on arrival in the country.

For more information on entry requirements, it is recommended to ask your travel agent or contact the country’s nearest Embassy or Consulate.

Visitors to Equatorial Guinea are advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities and stay fully informed of what is going on by monitoring local news and social media.

Travellers are advised to exercise caution when travelling to Equatorial Guinea but particularly in Bata and Malabo where armed robberies and petty crime are prevalent. Demonstrations and large public gatherings should be avoided. Visitors wishing to travel outside Malabo on the island of Bioko or outside Bata on the mainland will need to inform the local authorities in advance. Irish citizens are advised to carry an appropriate form of identification with them at all times. The border with Cameroon is frequently closed. Those planning overland travel to Cameroon should contact local authorities for the latest information.

Emergency Assistance

The best help is often close at hand so if a problem arises, try talking to local contacts, tour operator representatives or hotel management.

Specific emergency numbers are:

• Police: 113
• Fire brigade: 112

Our Tips for Safe Travels:

• Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all planned activities.
• Register with us so that we can get in contact quickly if there is an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
• Follow us on X @dfatravelwise and Instagram @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
• Read our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.
• Read our Consular Assistance Charter that clearly sets out the assistance that can be provided to citizens in difficulty overseas, and the limits of what the Department can do.

As there is no Irish Embassy in Equatorial Guinea, we are limited in the help we can offer in an emergency. However, if assistance is needed, citizens can contact our Consular Assistance Unit at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin on +353 1 408 2000.

Practical Advice

• Get advice locally about areas of risk and security concerns
• Take common-sense precautions about safety and security
• Know who to contact in case of an emergency

Get Travel and Medical Insurance

Before travelling, the Department strongly recommends that citizens obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. Check any exclusions and, in particular, that the policy covers all the activities you want to undertake.

Vaccinations

The yellow fever vaccination is an entry requirement for Equatorial Guinea and a yellow fever vaccination certificate will be requested by border control on arrival in the country.

Check what other vaccinations that may be required for your trip at least eight weeks before travel. We cannot advise on vaccinations, information can be obtained from a GP or an International Health and Travel Centre.

Polio vaccination is recommended for all travellers from Ireland to countries where polio transmission is a risk. Before travelling to areas where poliomyelitis cases are still occurring, travellers should ensure that they have completed the recommended age-appropriate polio vaccine schedule and have received a booster dose, if necessary. More information is available on the Factsheet - Health Protection Surveillance Centre (hpsc.ie)

Evidence of vaccination (in the form of a certificate) can be a requirement for entry to some countries.

Medication

Make sure to bring enough medication for the entire trip and for any unexpected delays. Also bring copies of your prescription in case your medication is lost.

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal.

Visa

Irish citizens require a visa to enter Equatorial Guinea and can now apply online for an electronic visa.

If unsure about the entry requirements for Equatorial Guinea, including visa and other immigration information, ask your travel agent or contact the country’s nearest Embassy or Consulate

Also check with them how long your passport must be valid for.

Passports

It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you when travelling to Equatorial Guinea and to carry a photocopy at all times during your stay.

If your passport is lost or stolen while abroad, we can help.

What we can do:

• Issue a replacement passport that will let you finish your trip, or;
• Issue an emergency travel document to get home.

We will do our best to help as quickly as possible but this can take some time. Location and circumstances may limit the help we can give. As Ireland does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Equatorial Guinea there may be additional complications in processing and application for a new passport.

Citizens should contact the nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate to find out what is needed to do to apply for a passport. They will also be able to advise on the fees which apply.

Citizens in need of consular assistance should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Please contact our Consular Assistance Unit for guidance on the nearest assistance and we will help as best we can.

Our number is: +353 1 408 2000.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week