westernsahara

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

• Western Sahara is a disputed territory and the UK regards its status as undetermined. There is no British diplomatic or consular presence in Western Sahara. All enquiries should be made to the British Embassy in Rabat.  See General British Representation.
  
  
• There is a high threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Developments in the region may trigger public unrest, especially after Friday prayers. You should avoid large gatherings of people and demonstrations, which can turn hostile. Be particularly alert in public places.
  
  
• You should register with the British Embassy in Rabat before you visit Western Sahara.
  
  
• There is a high risk of unexploded mines in more remote areas. You should avoid driving off road and take care on main roads, especially when driving in more remote areas.
  
  
• You should be aware that there is a threat of kidnapping in the immediate and wider regions and particular care should be taken in remote regions and border areas. See our Sahel page for further information about the regional threat.
  
  
• On 23 October 2011, two Spanish nationals and one Italian national were kidnapped from a refugee camp near the town of Tindouf in the province of Tindouf in the west of Algeria, near the borders of Morocco, Western Sahara and Mauritania. If you are considering rallying in North or West Africa you should read the Travel Advice for all relevant countries and our Rally racing page.
  
  
• We are not aware of any British nationals who required consular assistance in Western Sahara since 2008 but we are aware of difficulties with entering and exiting from the territory. Travel is restricted and while organised groups are generally permitted, independent overland travellers should be aware that they could be turned back at the border.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a high threat from terrorism, as there is in neighbouring Morocco. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  See our Terrorism Abroad page. Although there have been no recent attacks in Western Sahara, there have been serious incidents in both Morocco and Mauritania. Please refer to our Morocco and Mauritania Travel Advice for further details.
 
Safety and Security - Local Travel
Travel is restricted and, while organised groups are generally permitted, independent travellers should be aware that they could be turned back at the border.
 
Be aware that the border between neighbouring Algeria and Morocco is closed, and no attempt should be made to cross it at any point.
 
There is no rail service.
 
Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
You don’t need an International Driving Permit. An EU licence is sufficient.
 
There are thousands of unexploded mines in the Western Sahara, and occasional reports of fatal explosions. Avoid driving off road and take care on main roads especially when driving in more remote areas. The territory also has a poor road safety record more generally.

See Driving Abroad.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
The status of the territory of the Western Sahara is disputed between Morocco and the Polisario Front, and the UK regards sovereignty as undetermined.  There has been a UN-monitored cease-fire in the territory since 1991. 
 
There are occasional violent demonstrations in the territory. On 8 November 2010, Moroccan authorities dismantled a protest camp situated outside the town of Gdeim Izik resulting in a number of fatalities and injuries. There were also reports of violence in the town of Layounne.

You should also be aware of the impact that the situation in Iraq, as well as wider Middle East issues (for example in Israel, Lebanon) has across the Arab world. You should follow news reports and be alert to developments in the Middle East that might trigger public disturbances, especially after Friday prayers. You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid public gatherings and demonstrations. Any increase in regional tension might affect travel advice.

Local laws reflect the fact that the territory is predominantly Muslim. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religion at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.

See our Travelling During Ramadan page.

Women, especially when travelling alone, will attract attention.  To minimise hassle, dress respectfully, avoid wearing clothes that could be regarded as provocative (e.g. short skirts and low-necked, sleeveless tops), except on the beach.  

Homosexuality is considered a criminal offence.  Sexual relations outside marriage are also punishable by law.  

The penalties for possession of even small amounts of drugs are severe; up to ten years' imprisonment, with no remission for good behaviour, heavy fines and confiscation of your vehicle/vessel. It is against the law to carry bibles in Arabic, to attempt to distribute any non-Muslim/evangelical literature, or be involved in any such activity. 

See our Your Trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas   
British nationals do not require entry visas for the purpose of tourism.  Ensure when entering the country, particularly during the busy summer months, that your passports are stamped.  You will then be able to stay for up to three months.  Some tourists have experienced difficulties leaving the country because their passports had no entry stamp.  

Entry Requirements - Passport validity   
You must hold a valid passport to enter Western Sahara. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Western Sahara.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children  
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

Medical facilities are generally good in the main cities (eg Laayoune, Dhakla and Smara) - all have hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. For more sophisticated medical treatment (scans etc) you may need to go to a major centre in Morocco (eg Agadir, Casablanca or Rabat). Medical facilities are almost non-existent in desert areas.

Exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.

Seek medical advice before travelling to Western Sahara and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of  NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. 

See our Travel Health page.

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Consular Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - British Representation  
There is no British diplomatic or consular presence in Western Sahara. The British Embassy in Rabat (Morocco) can provide only emergency consular services in Western Sahara. For other services, such as replacement passports, you will need to travel to Rabat. Register with the British Embassy in Rabat before your visit to the territory.  

General - Money  
Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels. Banking and ATM facilities beyond the main cities of Laayoune, Dhakla and Smara are very limited. The Moroccan dirham, the local currency, is non-convertible and cannot be exported.