North and Central America and Caribbean

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

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• Several thousand British nationals visit Martinique each year; most visits are trouble-free. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance. See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign nationals.   See our Terrorism Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime
You should take precautions and avoid isolated areas, including beaches, after dark.  Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. Avoid carrying your passports, credit cards and valuables in the same place, and where possible, these should be left in the safety deposit boxes and hotel safes.

See our Victims of Crime Abroad page.

See our Your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas

Martinique is an Overseas Department of France (départements d’outre-mer).  If your passport describes you as a British Citizen you will not need a visa to enter Martinque. Other British passport holders should check the current entry requirements here and if necessary confirm with the nearest French Diplomatic mission.

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. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the French Embassy in London.

Entry Requirements - Passport Validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Martinique. Your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required. However, it is always sensible to have a short period of extra validity on your passport in case of any unforeseen delays to your departure. You do not have to wait until your old passport expires to apply to renew it. Any time left on your old passport when you apply will be added to your new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. For passport applications in the UK, you should apply to the Identity and Passport Service.

General health care facilities, including emergency services in health service general hospitals, and the availability of doctors (GPs) in Martinique, are very good and of an equivalent standard to those found in mainland France.  Specialist treatment is also available.

You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK.  The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as French nationals.  It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  See our EHIC page.

The EHIC provides emergency health cover for treatment in Martinique by the French state health service for which you will have to pay but for which you will be able to claim back up to 70% of the costs on your return to the UK.  Visitors travelling (or being air lifted) to Martinique from other non-French islands specifically for medical treatment should be aware that such treatment will not necessarily be covered.

British nationals planning a permanent move to Martinique, especially those who have not yet reached retirement age, should consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) at the earliest opportunity to obtain advice on their longer-term entitlement as residents to health care provision under the French national system.  Enquiries should be made to the DWP Overseas Medical Benefits help-line on 00 44 191 218 1999 which is open on Mondays to Fridays from 08.00 to 20.00 daily. Alternatively, information can be obtained direct from the English language service of the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (French social security service) on 00 33 8 20 90 42 12 or  CLEISS (the Helpdesk in France for international mobility and social security) on 00 33 1 45 26 33 4.  Information is also available on the website of the British Embassy in France at:  http://ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Martinique 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 the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see our Travel Health

Natural Disasters - Hurricanes
The hurricane season in Martinique normally runs from June to November. Monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Centre website and check with local authorities or your tour operator for any changes to your onward travel plans. See our Tropical cyclones for advice about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane. 

Natural Disasters - earthquakes
Martinique has endured occasional earth tremors, but they rarely result in any damage.  The Montagne Pelée volcano is dormant; it is monitored by a local observatory and there would be warning well in advance from the local authorities of any imminent volcanic activity.

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check for 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 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. More information about registering with LOCATE. 

General - British representation
There is no resident British Diplomatic Mission in Martinique.  In case of emergency, contact the Honorary British Consul in Martinique, 96 Route du Phare, 97200 Fort-de-France, Martinique; (tel: 00 596 596 618 892; fax: 00 596 596 613 389). For routine matters, contact the British Embassy in Paris (tel: 00 33 1 44 51 31 00).

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
Several thousand British nationals visit Martinique each year; most visits are trouble-free.  The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Martinique in 2009 were hospitalization and arrests or detentions, mainly for drugs offences.

General - Contact Details
Office Address: 18bis rue d'Anjou, 75008 Paris
Postal Address: British Embassy, BP111-08, 75363 Paris CEDEX 08
Telephone:  (33) 1 44 51 31 00
Facsimile: (33) 1 44 51 31 27 Consular
E-mail: public.paris@fco.gov.uk
Website: UK in France

Office Hours: GMT Mon - Fri: 0830-1130 / 1330-1530
Local Time: Mon - Fri: 0930-1230 / 1430-1630