Chile
Summary
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Chile’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.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) guidance on foreign travel insurance.
If you have enquiries about your current UK visa, please see the guidance for UK visa holders
If you need an Emergency Travel Document, check how to apply
Severe forest fires are burning in areas of the Nuble, Biobio, and Araucania regions. The government has ordered a number of National Parks and reserves to close. You should follow the advice of local authorities and avoid the areas they advise are at risk. Further details (in Spanish) are available on the Chilean Forestry Agency website.
Street demonstrations, protests and strikes are common across all of Chile, Santiago in particular. Although most are peaceful, they can turn violent. If protests take place, you should follow the instructions and advice of the local authorities, remain vigilant, monitor developments via official sources and avoid protests and demonstrations areas. Under Chilean law, foreign nationals visiting or living in Chile could be deported for involvement in protests and demonstrations. See Local laws and customs
Opportunistic street crime can be a problem in towns and cities, and in areas popular with tourists including airports, bus stations and ports. Take care of your personal belongings at all times and be aware of your surroundings. Carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original document in a safe place. See Crime.
Terrorist attacks in Chile can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
If you need to contact the emergency services, call 131 for an ambulance, 132 for the fire brigade and 133 for police.
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
Update history
2025-02-26 14:18
Removal of information about the State of Exception and a curfew following widespread electric grid outages (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-02-26 00:43
Addition of a Government announcement of a State of Exception and a curfew following widespread electric grid outages (‘Warnings and insurance page’)
2025-02-25 20:52
Addition of information and advice about electric grid outage (Warnings and insurance page)
2025-02-11 16:39
Information following wildfires in La Araucanía, Ñuble, Biobío, O’Higgins and Maule regions (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-01-08 10:43
Updated information on risks from terrorism (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-06-13 14:59
Information that the Chilean National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (SENAPRED) has issued a warning for heavy rain across several regions of Chile on 13 and 14 June (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-27 11:07
New information on taxi scams and transportation options at Santiago Airport (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-19 16:13
Information on taxi scams and forest fires (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-06 17:12
Information on wildfires and travelling with children (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2024-02-03 21:00
Forest Fires: Update of information on forest fires in multiple regions
2023-10-25 12:17
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-06-22 11:10
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-05-17 09:46
New information on crime and the end of COVID-19 entry requirements (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2023-05-11 09:20
New information on altitude sickness (‘Health’ page).
2023-05-09 16:30
Updated information on forest fires and minimum amount of funds required per day of stay in Chile (‘Summary’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2023-02-10 14:06
Updated information on forest fires in areas of the Nuble, Biobio and Araucania regions and forest fires (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages).
2023-02-05 01:42
Updated information on forest fires in areas of the Nuble, Biobio and Araucania regions (‘Summary’ page).
2023-01-13 18:50
Updated information on entry requirements; some people, chosen at random, will be required to take COVID tests when entering the country (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-01-04 15:13
Updated information on entry requirements for arrivals from China (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-12-23 19:53
Updated information on safety and security and the special entry requirements to travel to Easter Island (Rapi Nui) (See ‘Safety and security’ and Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-10-24 09:33
Updated information on the COVID-19 entry requirements for Easter Island (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-09-30 16:23
Updated information on the COVID-19 entry requirements and the removal of information about the Mobility pass for interregional travel (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-09-02 15:19
Updated information on mobility passes and the political situation (‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-07-13 11:09
Updated information on mobility passes (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-06-16 18:54
Updated information on mobility passes (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry Clearance’ pages).
2022-04-14 16:16
Review and amendments to ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Health’, and ‘Entry requirements’ pages.
2022-03-23 15:40
Review and amendments to ‘Entry requirements’ page
2022-02-21 20:45
Review and amendments to ‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and security’, ‘Local laws and customs’, ‘Health’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages