Niger
Summary
For security reasons the FCDO advises against all travel to:
- all areas of the country north of the city of Abalak, including the Aïr Massif region
- the province of Agadez (including the road linking Assamakato Agadez and the city of Agadez)
- areas of Tahoua province north of the city of Tahoua, including the city itself
- the area of Tillabéri province north of Niamey, including the road from Niamey to Gao and the road from Niamey to Menaka
- areas within 40km of the south-western border with Burkina Faso
- areas within 40km of the border with Nigeria in Diffa, Zinder and Maradi provinces
- the Parc du W, plus the contiguous Dosso and Tamou hunting zones
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Niger, including the capital city Niamey.
COVID-19 entry restrictions for Niger
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Niger’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
Travelling from and returning to the UK
Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
ItIf you’re planning travel to Niger, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see the Coronavirus page.
Consular assistance and support to British people in Niger is provided in the first instance by the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos. See Consular Assistance.
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Niger, including kidnapping. There is particular instability in the Tillabéri region of Niger, near the country’s borders with Mali and Burkina Faso. There is also particular instability in Diffa, near the Lake Chad Basin. There is a threat of retaliatory attacks due to Niger’s participation in the French-led intervention in Mali and due to its involvement in the regional fight to counter violent extremist groups. See Terrorism
States of emergency are in place in several states across the country. See Local travel
Levels of crime, especially in the capital Niamey, are high. See Crime
You should carry some form of identification at all times. See Local laws and customs
AThere protestis hascurrently beena organisedshortage onof Sundaydiesel 18fuel September in NiameyNiger. bySupplies theare Pan-Africannot Networkreliable for Peace, Democracy and Developmentyou (REPPAD).should Protests can be violentmindful andof thethis atmospherewhen canmaking changetravel quicklyarrangements, andparticularly withoutoutside warning.of You should exercise vigilance and avoid large crowds.Niamey.
You can contact the emergency services by calling + 227 20 73 37 43/44 (or 17 local number) for the police, and +227 20 73 21 13 (or 18 local number) for the fire service.
Update history
2024-12-05 15:50
Updated information on recent terrorist attacks and kidnappings in Niger (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2024-11-13 15:32
Information on enhanced security checks when entering Niger (Entry requirements’ page) and on the requirement to be escorted by Nigerien security forces outside of Niamey (‘Regional risks’ page).
2024-11-01 15:37
New information on enhanced security checks on foreign nationals arriving by air (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-10-10 16:05
Updated information on increased security in Niamey (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page).
2024-10-07 09:53
Updated information on political situation (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-08-20 13:45
FCDO now advises against all travel to the rest of Niger, except the capital city of Niamey (‘Warnings and security’ page).
2023-11-02 14:50
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand. Latest update: UK staff have returned to Niger after they were temporarily withdrawn in August.
2023-09-07 10:36
Information on the reopening of Nigerien airspace (‘Summary’ page).
2023-08-19 12:16
Information on the temporary withdrawal of UK staff from Niger
2023-08-11 15:06
Information on travel within or out of Niger (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-04 14:32
Information on scheduled commercial flights from Niger (‘Summary’ page). FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Niger.
2023-08-03 00:58
Information about temporarily reducing the number of staff at the Embassy
2023-08-02 17:11
Information on a demonstration being called on 3 August, Niger independence day. Advice on how to contact FCDO. FCDO advises against all travel to Niger. If you are in Niger, register your presence with FCDO (‘Summary’ page).
2023-08-01 16:57
Information on how there are currently no commercial flight options available to leave Niger and that the situation remains volatile (‘Summary’ page).
2023-07-31 21:53
Register Your Presence in Niger (Summary)
2023-07-31 20:43
We advise against all travel to Niger
2023-07-30 13:02
Information about political instability and protests in Niamey on 30 July (‘Summary’ page).
2023-07-27 00:56
Information about political instability in Niamey; broadcast on 26 July (‘Summary’ page).
2023-07-26 19:16
Information about political instability in Niamey (‘Summary’ page).
2023-07-26 16:24
Information about the political instability in Niamey (‘Summary’ page).
2023-06-22 11:32
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2022-10-08 14:49
Information on protests planned in Niamey on 9 October
2022-10-07 17:28
Information on a protest that has been organised on Sunday 9 October in Tillabéri.
2022-09-26 16:52
Removal of information on the air traffic control strike in West Africa (‘Summary’ page).
2022-09-24 17:45
Addition of information about a regional air traffic control strike in West Africa which is affecting flights in and out of Niamey (See ‘Summary’ page)
2022-09-16 15:03
Addition of information about a planned protest on Sunday 18 September in Niamey (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-08-12 14:11
Addition of information about an IED attack that took place in Bougoum on the 11 August 2022 (‘Terrorism’ page)
2022-06-09 15:33
Updated information on security and road travel (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-04-29 17:09
The ‘Terrorism’ section has been updated.
2022-04-25 15:48
Updated information on entry requirements in relation to COVID-19 (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-03-16 14:04
This travel advice has been reviewed in full with editorial amendments throughout. Updated information on consular assistance, security, entry requirements and terrorism incidents (‘Safety and Security’, ‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)