Sub Saharan Africa
Benin
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Still current at: 20 August 2008
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Updated: 06 June 2008
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Road Travel section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
See entire profile
Travel Summary
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There is no formal British representation in Benin. In case of an emergency you should contact the
British Deputy High Commission in Lagos
. There is a Community Liaison Officer in Benin, but this should be used for consular emergencies only. See the General (Representation in Benin) section of this advice for more details.
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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.
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We are not aware of any British nationals who required consular assistance in Benin in 2007.
- 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. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
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 areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
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. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
There has been an increase in reported incidents of mugging, personal assault and car jacking in Cotonou and armed robberies have been reported in other areas, notably the border area with Nigeria. Highway bandits are known to operate in Benin. The high level of banditry has resulted in the vehicle-jackings in the capital resulting in two deaths and some injuries.
You should take sensible personal security precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public places especially at Dantokpa market in Cotonou and around large hotels and other tourist areas. Avoid unlit side streets.
It is advisable to have a legalised copy of your passport and visa in case your passport is lost or stolen.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Benin Country Profile
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Benin Country Profile
Local Travel
Road Travel
In order to drive in Benin, you are required to obtain an international driving licence before arrival.
You should avoid driving out of the main towns at night as roads are poorly lit. Take care after dark within cities, avoiding secondary roads and areas where other traffic is light.
In the past few years, major work has been done on the roads in Benin. Plans exist for a new international airport with associated roads, and other projects are underway in the North of Benin to improve conditions in the more rural areas.
In general, when you leave the main roads, conditions become more difficult, particularly in the rainy season (March-July and September-November) when some of the smaller unpaved roads become impassable.
Public transport is dangerous. Taxis and long distance buses are poorly maintained and are often overloaded. These should be avoided. Most major hotels offer cars for hire with drivers. The reliability and serviceability of hotel drivers and vehicles is variable. If self-driving exercise caution as traffic on main roads is fast moving and ill disciplined. Cotonou has no reliable public transportation.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Swimming
Ocean currents are very strong along the coast. Many drownings occur each year. For more general information see River and Sea Safety.
Air Travel
You are advised to reconfirm flights 48 hours prior to departure.
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: Air Transport Portal of the European Commission - latest news.
For more general information see Airline Security.
Local laws and customs
Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. You should respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities.
Possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs is a serious offence and can result in lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines.
Do not take pictures of military zones, airports or government offices.
Possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs is a serious offence and can result in lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines.
Do not take pictures of military zones, airports or government offices.
Homosexuality is not accepted in Benin and sexual relations between members of the same sex are illegal.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
Visas
You require a visa prior to entering Benin. Benin is represented in the UK by an Honorary Consul, Mr Lawrence Landau. Visas can be obtained from the Honorary Consulate: Millenium House, Humber Road, Near Staples Corner, London, NW2 6DW; Tel: +44 (0) 20 8830 8612; Fax: +44 (0) 20 7435 0665; E-mail: l.landau@btinternet.com.
The Honorary Consulate is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only, from 10:30-16:30.
The nearest Embassy is in Paris: Embassy of the Republic of Benin, 87 Avenue Victor Hugo, 742116 Paris, Tel: +331 145 009882, +33 142 223191 Fax: +33 145 –18202.
You require a visa prior to entering Benin. Benin is represented in the UK by an Honorary Consul, Mr Lawrence Landau. Visas can be obtained from the Honorary Consulate: Millenium House, Humber Road, Near Staples Corner, London, NW2 6DW; Tel: +44 (0) 20 8830 8612; Fax: +44 (0) 20 7435 0665; E-mail: l.landau@btinternet.com.
The Honorary Consulate is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only, from 10:30-16:30.
The nearest Embassy is in Paris: Embassy of the Republic of Benin, 87 Avenue Victor Hugo, 742116 Paris, Tel: +331 145 009882, +33 142 223191 Fax: +33 145 –18202.
Visas for Nigeria, Ghana and Togo
Non-resident British nationals in Benin who wish to travel to Nigeria and Ghana are unable to obtain entry visas in Benin. Visas for Nigeria and Ghana should be obtained prior to travelling to Benin. Visas for Togo are obtainable at the Togolese Embassy in Cotonou or at the Togo/Benin border.
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. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Benin Embassy in Paris - Embassy of the Republic of Benin, 87 Avenue Victor Hugo, 742116 Paris, Tel: +331 145 009882, +33 142 223191 Fax: +33 145 –18202.
Health
Medical facilities are poor in Benin, particularly in rural areas.
Waterborne diseases (including cholera), tuberculosis, meningitis and malaria are common in Benin.
In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 77,000 adults aged 15 or over in Benin were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.8% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. 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 Benin 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.
Waterborne diseases (including cholera), tuberculosis, meningitis and malaria are common in Benin.
In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 77,000 adults aged 15 or over in Benin were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.8% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. 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 Benin 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.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
The World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) has confirmed that there have been outbreaks of H5N1 Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in poultry at a farm in Cotonou and in villages of Adjara and Akpro-misserete, approximately 40 km north of Cotonou. No human infections or deaths have been reported.
In December 2007, outbreaks were confirmed in Porto Novo and Dangbo.
The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds, and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
See Avian and Pandemic Flu for more details.
General
Insurance
You should ensure that you have comprehensive travel and medical insurance, which covers a provision for medical evacuation. 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 overseas then this is How We Can Help.
Representation in Benin
There is no UK representation in Benin. In case of an emergency you should contact the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos.
There is a Community Liaison Officer for consular emergencies only. Her name is Mrs Pauline Collins, address: The British School of Cotonou, Haie Vive, 08 BP 0352, Cotonou, Benin. Tel: (+229 30 32 65); (Fax: +229 30 61 95); Mobile phone (tel: +229 85 38 73) e-mail: address: bis@firstnet1.com.
Other contacts: French Consulate, Avenue Generale de Gaulle, 01 BP 605 Recette Principale Cotonou (tel: +229 31 26 38/80) or US Embassy, Rue Caporal Anani, 01 BP 2021, Cotonou (Tel: +229 30 06 50).
As many crimes involve the theft of British passports, we advise you to keep a photocopy of your passport separately from your passport. This will speed up the process of issuing a new one.
Registration
We recommend that if you intend to stay in Benin for three months or more you should register with the Community Liaison Officer in Cotonou, Mrs Pauline Collins. You may also 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 .
Registration
We recommend that if you intend to stay in Benin for three months or more you should register with the Community Liaison Officer in Cotonou, Mrs Pauline Collins. You may also 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 .
Travel advice for this country
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contacts
Nigeria, Lagos, Deputy British High Commission
Address:
Deputy British High Commission
11 Walter Carrington Crescent
Victoria Island
Lagos
Telephone:
(00 234) (1) 2619531, 2619537, 2619541
Fax:
(00 234)(1) 2614021 or 2625940
Email: consular.lagos@fco.gov.uk
Office hours:
GMT: Mon-Thurs: 0630-1430 and Fri 0630-1130
Local Time: Mon-Thur 0730-1530 and Fri 0730-1230
Website: http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/nigeria
