Burkina Faso
Warnings and insurance
Summary
TheFor Foreign,security Commonwealthreasons, &the Development Office (FCDO) providesadvises adviceagainst aboutall risksbut ofessential travel toto:
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YourThere travelis insuranceno couldBritish beEmbassy invalidatedin ifBurkina Faso and our ability to provide consular assistance is severely limited. The security situation in Burkina Faso has deteriorated significantly in recent years and remains volatile. The political situation in Burkina Faso remains unstable following the military coup on 30 September 2022. Further coups are possible. If you choose to travel againstto FCDOBurkina advice.Faso you should remain vigilant and monitor local media.
FCDOLand advisesand againstair allborders travelreopened toon BurkinaMonday Faso,3 exceptOctober. toThe thecurfew capital,between Ouagadougou.9pm – 5am has also been lifted.
FCDOThere advisesis againstdisruption allto butair essential travel to and from Ouagadougou, upand a risk of protests due to the tollmilitary boothstakeover onin allneighbouring roadsNiger outin July 2023. Check with your travel provider ahead of theyour city.travel. See Entry requirements and safety and security
ThisBefore isyou duetravel, tocheck the threat‘Entry ofrequirements’ terroristsection attacksfor andBurkina terroristFaso’s kidnap,current entry restrictions and requirements. Due to COVID-19, these may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the unstablelatest politicalupdates situationand stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the country.UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
FindIt outis more aboutimportant whythan ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s advisesguidance againston foreign travel insurance.
Security
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ThereYou isshould nobe Britishvigilant, Embassybe inalert Burkinato Fasoannouncements, monitor local media and follow the advice of the local authorities. Avoid all consularlarge supportgatherings, isincluding providedmusic fromfestivals, theshows, Britishconcerts, Embassysporting events and any public marches or demonstrations. You should exercise extra caution during election periods and during festivities, and religious and public holiday periods. On 11 June 2022, over 100 people were killed following a terrorist attack in Accra,Seytenga Ghana.in Theythe cannotProvince provideof in-personSeno. assistance.Further attacks are possible. See Terrorism.
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Travel insurance
IfTwo youmilitary choosezones toare travel,currently researchin yourplace destinationsin Soum in the north, and getin appropriatethe travelsouth-east insurance.on Insurancethe shouldborder coverwith yourBenin. itinerary,Civilians plannedfound activitieswithin these areas risk being mistaken for terrorists and expensescaught up in anmilitary emergency.operations.
If you’re in Burkina Faso and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British Embassy in Accra.
Update history
2025-02-03 14:33
Updated guidance for LGBT+ travellers (‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-01-24 13:09
Updated information on recent terrorist attacks and kidnappings in Burkina Faso (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-01-29 15:46
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-08-08 17:14
due to regional events there is disruption to air travel to and from Ouagadougou and a risk of protests (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2023-08-04 10:46
Information on the areas in which a state of emergency is in place and proof of a COVID-19 vaccination no longer being required (‘Summary’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages).
2023-06-22 11:32
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2022-12-28 10:00
Updated information on COVID-19 vaccination requirements for entry and exit (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-12-02 16:19
Updated information on the political situation (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-10-26 15:55
Updated information on consular assistance, the security and political situation, road travel and kidnaps (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).
2022-10-03 13:19
Updated information on the evolving political situation (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-10-01 21:50
Updated information on the evolving political situation (See ‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-09-30 23:16
Updated information on the closure of land and air borders and introduction of curfew from 9pm – 5am (See ‘Summary’ page)
2022-09-30 11:18
Updated information on reports of gunfire in the capital, Ouagadougou(‘Summary’ page)
2022-07-06 11:45
Updated information on terrorism (‘Summary and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-06-16 14:34
Updated information on entry requirements for Burkina Faso (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-20 18:14
Updated information on terrorism and kidnappings in Burkina Faso (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-04-14 18:59
Updated information on terrorism and kidnaps in Burkina Faso (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-03-21 15:43
Updated information on the political situation in Burkina Faso (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)