North and Central America and Caribbean

Martinique

Still current at: 20 July 2008

Updated: 19 May 2008

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.  

 

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

You should take sensible precautions and avoid isolated areas, including beaches, after dark.  Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery.  Valuables and travel documents should, where possible, be left in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes. 

 

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Martinique is an Overseas Département of France (départements d’outre-mer).  If you are a British Citizen or British Subject with Right of Abode in the United Kingdom, you will not need a visa to enter Martinique.  Other British passport holders should confirm the current entry requirements with the nearest French Diplomatic mission.  All British passport holders require a valid passport.  There is no minimum passport validity requirement but you should ensure that your passport is valid for the proposed period of your stay.

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, 58 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7JT;  tel: 020 7073 1000; fax:  020 7073 1004.

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.

The Form E111 is no longer valid.  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 nationals of Martinique.  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 Guadeloupe 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.

An outbreak of dengue fever is currently affecting Martinique.  

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 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 Travel Health.

The hurricane season in Martinique normally runsfrom June to November.  You should monitor local and internationalweather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation.  You can also access the US National Hurricane Centre website for updates.  For more general information see Tropical cyclone. 

Martiniquealso has occasional earth tremors, but they rarely result in anydamage.  The Montagne Pelée volcano is dormant; it is monitored by alocal observatory and there would be warning well in advance from thelocal authorities of any imminent volcanic activity.

Insurance

 

We strongly 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.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

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 can be found here.

 

British representation

There is no resident British Diplomatic Mission in Martinique.  Routine consular matters are covered by the British Embassy in Paris.  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).