Senegal
Warnings and insurance
Summary
TheBefore Foreign,you Commonwealthtravel, &check Developmentthe Office‘Entry (FCDO)requirements’ providessection for Senegal’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice aboutfor risksthe oflatest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to helppass Britishthrough nationalsanother makecountry informedto decisions.return Findto outthe UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
If you are travelling between the UK and Senegal and transiting via a third country, check our travel advice for that country.
It is more aboutimportant than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel adviceinsurance.
Before
All youcovid travelrestrictions in Senegal have been lifted.
NoDemonstrations travelabout canpolitical beissues guaranteedoccur safe.frequently Readand allare likely to increase in the advicebuild up to presidential elections in thisFebruary guide2024. These demonstrations take place mainly in Dakar but also other cities, and anythey specificcan travelbe adviceviolent. thatMonitor appliesthe tolocal you:
- women
mediatravellers - disabled
fortravellers - LGBT+
informationtravellers - solo
aboutforthcomingprotests,followtheinstructionsoflocalauthorities,avoidareaswheredemonstrationslargetravel - volunteering
gatheringsaretakingplaceexercisetravelcaution.SeePoliticaldemonstrations
FollowPickpocketing and contactstreet FCDOcrime travelare oncommon Twitter,in Facebookparts of Dakar, particularly around Place de l’Indépendance, the central area of the Plateau and Instagram.the YouWestern canCorniche, alsoas signwell as Gorée Island.
There is a heightened risk of criminality in the run up to getreligious emailfestivals. notificationsBe cautious when changing cash given the risk of false money circulating. See Safety and security
Terrorist whenattacks thisin adviceSenegal iscan’t updated.be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. See Terrorism
Travel
You insuranceshould be vigilant when travelling in Casamance, the region south of The Gambia. For more information see Local travel
Most visits to Senegal are trouble-free.
If you’re abroad and you chooseneed toemergency travel,help researchfrom yourthe destinationsUK andgovernment, getcontact appropriatethe travelnearest insuranceBritish embassy, consulate or high commission.
The InsuranceEmbassy shouldcontinues coverto yourcarry itinerary,out plannedessential activitieswork including providing 24/7 consular assistance and expensessupport into anBritish emergency.people in Senegal.
Update history
2025-04-30 15:59
Information added about protecting yourself and your belongings (See ‘Crime’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-07 14:55
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-08-08 10:15
Information on passport validity that your passport should be valid for six months from the date you arrive (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-08-02 13:52
Information on demonstrations and political protests (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-31 19:39
Information on Protests expected (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-04 10:44
Information about political demonstrations in the south of Senegal (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-06-22 12:04
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2023-06-08 12:59
Further information on political demonstrations in Dakar and other cities (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-06-02 15:13
Political demonstrations in Dakar and other cities (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-05-30 14:14
Possibility of major protests on 31 May and 1 June (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-05-16 15:10
Update on demonstrations building up to the presidential elections (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-12-09 14:28
Updated information on crime in Dakar (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-11-28 11:05
The FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to the land border between The Gambia and southern Senegal (Casamance) and the roads N4 and N5 (national highways) between The Gambia and Ziguinchor. (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-11-23 10:52
Updated information on entry requirements: all health control measures for COVID-19 at Senegal’s borders have been lifted (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-11-04 15:52
Updated information on entry requirements and taking a free rapid-antigen test on arrival if you are not fully vaccinated and have not booked a PCR test (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-11-01 10:34
Updated information on wearing of facemasks (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-10-27 09:24
Updated information on international travel (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-09-21 10:44
Updated information on the risk of protests in Senegal (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-06-22 16:22
Updated information on the risk of terrorist attacks for Senegal (‘Summary’ page)
2022-05-03 15:31
Updated information on entry requirements for Senegal (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-03-31 19:32
Updated information on entry requirements, safety and security and terrorism. The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to parts of Senegal.
2022-03-16 17:17
Updated information on local travel: A military operation is underway near the Casamance/Gambia border (‘Safety and security’ page)