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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 Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated.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 Angola, please see Ireland.ie.

Angola

If you’re travelling to the Angola, 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
  • Health
  • Additional information
  • Embassy Contact

Overview

Overview

Security Status

High Degree of Caution

General Travel Advice

As of 29 September 2023, Irish citizens no longer require a visa to enter Angola, if they are travelling for tourism. Irish citizens can stay for up to 30 days per entry and a maximum of 90 days per year. If visiting Angola for a reason other than tourism, it is still necessary to apply for a visa at an Angolan embassy or consulate.

A valid passport is required for travel to Angola. Irish passports should have a minimum validity of 6 months. Passport cards cannot be used.

When entering Angola, visitors may be asked to show evidence of vaccination against yellow fever.

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

Visitors to Angola 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.

Angola has removed all COVID-19 entry and exit requirements. However, passengers travelling to, or transiting through, Angola are advised to re-confirm the current requirements for travel with their airline and/or travel agent, as these can be subject to change at short notice.

As there is no Irish Embassy in Angola, 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 Lisbon or the Duty Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin at +353 (0)1 408 2000.

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 Angola on:

  • Police: 110
  • Fire brigade: 118
  • Ambulance: 118

Our tips for Safe Travels:

  • Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all your planned activities.
  • 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.
  • Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
  • Read our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.

Safety and Security

Safety and security

Social unrest

The political situation in Angola is reasonably stable but there can be occasional outbreaks of social unrest.

If you’re travelling in the country, you should avoid demonstrations and public gatherings, which can sometimes turn confrontational. Always keep yourself informed of what’s going on around you by monitoring local media and staying in contact with your hotel or tour organiser. Please also follow any security-related instructions that may issue from local law enforcement authorities.

Terrorism

Although the threat from terrorism in Angola is low, there is still a global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by tourists and expatriates.

Landmines

Unexploded mines and ordnances are still a hazard outside Angola’s capital city, Luanda. Don’t stray off main routes in rural areas and always take local advice on the current situation from the United Nations or an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) on the ground.

Crime

Crime, particularly in Angola’s capital, Luanda, can be an issue and you should always take sensible precautions:

  • Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place
  • Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and 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 don’t use ATMs after dark, especially if you’re 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
  • Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as internet cafés, train and bus stations
  • Be aware a high proportion of the civil population is armed

Serious crime

In the capital, Luanda, criminal violence including muggings, car-jackings and armed hold-ups can happen in any area at any time. Muggings, particularly to steal mobile phones, as well as armed car-jackings appear to be on the increase.  We advise against walking around Luanda after dark.

Reporting crime

If you’re a victim of a crime while in Angola, report it to the local police immediately. And you can contact us at the Irish Embassy in Lisbon if you need help.

Driving

If you’re planning to drive in Angola, you should be extremely careful. Road conditions are poor, travel is usually in convoy, and travelling outside Luanda can be difficult and dangerous.

If you want to drive:

  • Bring your full Irish driving licence and your international driving permit and 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’re hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security.

If you’re 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).

Regional travel

Travel outside Luanda can be difficult and dangerous. There’s widespread poverty, social exclusion and disease, as well as a shattered infrastructure and mines and unexploded ordnance throughout parts of the country. If you travel outside Luanda, you should only do so in the company of people or organisations who are experienced in dealing with the local conditions.

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.

Do not use photographic equipment, maps, binoculars or GPS devices near government buildings or installations, as this may result in the confiscation of equipment or fines being imposed.

It is recommended that you carry a certified copy of your passport data page and relevant visa, for identification purposes in the event that you are stopped by the Angolan authorities. Failure to do so may result in a fine. 

Illegal drugs

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

Health

Health

Get travel and medical insurance

Before travelling, the Department strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Vaccinations

Check what vaccinations you may need for your trip at least eight weeks before you travel. We can’t advise you on vaccinations, but you can get information about vaccinations from your local GP or an International Health and Travel Centre.

Yellow Fever

Irish citizens may be asked to show proof of Yellow Fever vaccination especially when they are travelling from high risk transmission countries, including Uganda.

Medication

Make sure you bring enough medication for your entire trip and for any unexpected delays. You may wish to also bring copies of your prescription in case you lose your medication.

Malaria

Malaria is a constant threat in Angola. Before travelling, ask your doctor about suitable anti-malarial medication. And after arrival, take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by using bed nets and repellents, and wearing closed shoes, long sleeves and trousers.

Cholera

Cholera is common in Angola. You should drink bottled or boiled and filtered water and eat only where food has been thoroughly cooked and basic hygiene precautions have been taken.

Zika

There is currently an outbreak of Zika Virus (a dengue-like mosquito-borne disease) in the region. Irish Citizens especially those with a weakened immune system or women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant are advised to follow guidance available on the website of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

Water

We recommend that you drink only boiled or bottled water during your stay.

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

As of 29 September 2023, Irish citizens no longer require a visa to enter Angola, if they are travelling for tourism. Irish citizens can stay for up to 30 days per entry and a maximum of 90 days per year. If visiting Angola for a reason other than tourism, it is still necessary to apply for a visa at an Angolan embassy or consulate. Details on how to apply for a visa and the required documents can be found here.

Travellers can apply for a visa online at http://www.smevisa.gov.ao/, or alternatively by post or in person at the Consulate General of Angola in London.

It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport if travelling to Angola and to carry a photocopy of your passport at all times during your stay.

If your passport is lost or stolen while you’re in Angola you should contact the Irish Embassy in Lisbon. We’ll do our best to help you as quickly as possible but this can take some time. Your location and circumstances may limit the help we can give you.

What we can do:

  • Issue an emergency travel document that will get you home.
  • If required, provide advice on applying for new passport.

You will need a police report if you want to make a claim on your travel insurance. We will not provide you with a travel document without a police report.

Embassy contact

Embassy Contact

Please note that if you require assistance in the case of emergency while the Embassy is closed, contact the main Embassy number, 00 351 213308200, and leave a message on the Duty Officer voice mailbox. This mailbox will be monitored regularly.

Alternatively, you can call the Duty Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs at 00353 1 408 2000.

Embassy of Ireland
Avenida da Liberdade 200, 4th Floor
1250-147 Lisboa
Portugal

Tel: Tel: +351 21 330 8200
Fax: +351 21 397 7363

Monday to Friday 09:30-12:30

Contact us