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Please be advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice is now available at Ireland.ie/travel. Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated. To ensure you receive the latest Travel Advice for Madagascar, please see Ireland.ie.

Madagascar

If you’re travelling to Madagascar, our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information.

Security Status

  • Normal precautions
  • High degree of caution
  • Avoid non-essential travel
  • Do not travel
  • Overview
  • Safety and Security
  • Local Laws and Customs
  • Additional Information
  • Embassy Contact

Overview

Overview

Security Status

High Degree of Caution

Latest Travel Alert

Exercise a high degree of caution in Madagascar due to crime and civil unrest. Avoid any large gatherings or demonstrations.

General Travel Advice

Irish citizens require a visa to enter Madagascar. If travelling for tourism purposes, a visa can be obtained on arrival at the airport of entry. 

A valid passport is required for travel to Madagascar. Irish passports should have a minimum validity of six months from intended return date, with at least three blank pages. Passport cards cannot be used.

For more information on visas and passports, please see the Additional Information tab.

Visitors to Madagascar are advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities and stay fully informed of what's going on by monitoring local news and social media.

The cyclone season in Madagascar normally runs from November to April. Coastal areas are particularly affected, and remote areas throughout the country can become inaccessible and suffer damage and contamination to water supplies. You should monitor the progress of approaching storms on the METEO Madagascar website and follow alerts and instructions from the local authorities.

Citizens can also follow the Embassy on social media (Twitter @IrlEmbMaputo and Facebook Embassy of Ireland Mozambique) to ensure access to relevant updates and alerts.

Emergency Assistance

The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.

You can contact the emergency services in Madagascar by dialling 117.

Specific emergency numbers are:

  1. Police: 17 or 117 from a mobile phone
  2. Fire brigade: 18 or 118 from a mobile phone
  3. Ambulance: 17 or 117 from a mobile phone

Our tips for Safe Travels:

  1. Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all your planned activities.
  2. Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
  3. Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
  4. Read our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.

As there is no Irish Embassy in Madagascar, we are limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the Irish Embassy in Mozambique.

Safety and Security

Safety and security

Practical advice

  • Get advice locally about areas of risk and security concerns
  • Take common-sense precautions about safety and security
  • Know who to contact in case of an emergency

Political unrest

Madagascar has a history of political unrest, and the situation can be unpredictable. Due to the possibility of violence, you should avoid large gatherings and political demonstrations, and avoid the centre of Antananarivo.

Always keep yourself informed by monitoring local media and staying in contact with your hotel or tour organiser. Avoid demonstrations and public gatherings, which can sometimes turn confrontational or violent.

Crime

Robberies, theft and street crime occur frequently in towns and cities, in nature reserves and on beaches. Carjacking and theft from cars have become more frequent. If you are travelling to Madagascar you should take these sensible precautions to protect yourself against crime:

  • Do not carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place.
  • You should carry your passport with you, but keep it concealed and secure.  Leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home.
  • Avoid showing large sums of money in public and do not use ATMs after dark, especially if you are alone. Check no one has followed you after conducting your business.
  • Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, and arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible.
  • Beware of pickpockets in crowded areas like street markets and airports. 
  • Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as internet cafés, train and bus stations.

Reporting crime

If you are a victim of a crime while in Madagascar, report it to the local police immediately. You can contact the Irish Embassy in Mozambique if you need help.

Driving

If you are planning to drive in Madagascar, follow these basic guidelines:

  • Bring your full Irish driver’s licence and your international driving permit
  • Make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law and you risk being detained, fined or banned from driving if caught
  • Keep your vehicle doors locked and your bags kept out of sight to prevent opportunistic bag-snatching if you’re stopped at traffic lights

Hiring a vehicle

If you are hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you are allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times.

Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract (particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged).

Local Laws and Customs

Local laws and customs

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal.

Illegal drugs

Illegal drug use (no matter what the drug) carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms.

Additional Information

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Irish citizens can get a tourism visa (maximum stay 90 days) on arrival at the airport.

Applicants must present the following required documents:

  • a completed application form;
  • two recent passport-size photos;
  • return air ticket;
  • valid passport for at least six months from intended return date, with at least three blank pages;
  • yellow fever vaccination certificate for visitors who stayed the last six days in infected countries.

In addition to above, additional documents may be required depending on reason for the visit. For business, a letter from the applicant company outside Madagascar, on the company letter head must be presented.

An immigrant - transformable visa is a thirty days visa, issued exclusively by a Malagasy Embassy or Consulate, that allows the holder, once in Madagascar, to apply for a long term visa. A valid passport for at least six months from the intended return date is required, with at least three blank pages. Contact your nearest Embassy or Consulate for details on how to apply.

Embassy contact

Embassy Contact

We do not have an Embassy in Madagascar, please contact Embassy of Ireland Mozambique.

Embassy of Ireland,
Avenida Julius Nyerere 3630,
Sommershield,
Maputo,
Mozambique.

Tel: +258 21 501 700

Monday to Thursday, 08:00 – 16:30
Friday, 08:00 – 13:00

Contact us