Sub Saharan Africa

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

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in Réunion, including deaths (source: the local authorities). The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details.
  
  
• The French Authorities advise that travellers in Réunion who think that they have flu symptoms should telephone "15" or contact a local General Practitioner for advice and assistance. Further information and advice on what to do if you are in Réunion and think you have flu symptoms can be found at: http://www.inpes.sante.fr/grippeAH1N1/pdf/voyageurs/FlyersArrivee-FR-UK 080509.pdf. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk.
  
  
• Réunion is a French Overseas Territory. There is no formal British diplomatic or consular representation and the Honorary Consul based on the island is currently away. All requests for consular assistance must therefore be referred to the British Embassy in Paris. See the General section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate attacks which could be in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Most visits to Réunion are trouble-free. We are not aware of any British nationals who required consular assistance in Réunion in 2007. Although the risk from crime is also low, it does exist and you should take normal common-sense precautions.
  
  
• The cyclone season in Réunion normally runs from December to April. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Tropical cyclones for more details.
  
  
• 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 can be found here.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details

Safety and security

Local laws and customs

Entry requirements

Visas

Réunion is an Overseas Department of France (départements d’outre-mer). 

If your passport describes you as a British Citizen or British Subject with Right of Abode in the United Kingdom, you will not need a visa to enter Réunion.  Other British passport holders should confirm the current entry requirements with the nearest French Diplomatic mission.  

Passport Validity

Health

There are confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in Réunion, including deaths (source: the local authorities). The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details.

The French Authorities advise that travellers in Réunion who think that they have flu symptoms should telephone "15" or contact a local General Practitioner for advice and assistance. Further information and advice on what to do if you are in Réunion and think you have flu symptoms can be found at: http://www.inpes.sante.fr/grippeAH1N1/pdf/voyageurs/FlyersArrivee-FR-UK 080509.pdf. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk.

General health care facilities in Réunion, including emergency services in health service general hospitals, and the availability of doctors (GPs) are good.  Some specialist treatment is also available.

British nationals making short term visits to Réunion 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.  For more general information see EHIC.

The EHIC provides emergency health cover for treatment in Réunion 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.

British nationals planning to move to Réunion, especially those who have not yet reached retirement age, are advised consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for advice on their longer-term entitlement as residents to health care provision under the French national system. Please call 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. More 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 Help desk 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://www.ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk.

The number of new cases of Chikungunya, which has badly affected Réunion since the beginning of 2005, have fallen dramatically. However, the island authorities expect the number to increase again during the rainy season.  

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Reunion 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 Health 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 Travel Health.

Natural disasters

The cyclone season in Réunion normally runs from December to April. You should monitor local and international weather updates from French Weather Service (in French) for more detailed information in Réunion and follow any advice issued by the local authorities. You can also access the International Cyclone Centre for updates.  Please also see Tropical cyclones for more detailed information and advice should you be involved in a cyclonic situation.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.