Living in Togo

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Togo. Read about how our High Commission in Accra can help.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Togolese authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.

Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad

To stay up to date:

• sign-up to receive travel advice email alerts
• follow the British High Commission Ghana on Facebook and Twitter

Before you go

See our travel advice for Togo for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.

Coronavirus

Follow the advice of the Togolese government and your local authority. You should also read the travel advice for Togo for our latest guidance.

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as UK national in Togo, read coronavirus travel advice.

Visas and residency

British passport holders need a visa to enter Togo. You are advised to get a visa before travel. Visas issued on arrival in Togo are limited to 7 days and getting an extension can be time-consuming. For more information and advice, contact the Embassy of Togo in London.

You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

Check the entry requirements for Togo in our travel advice.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Togo.

Check the travel advice for Togo for passport validity requirements.

Healthcare in Togo

Togo and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements. You should buy comprehensive Travel and Medical Insurance before you enter the country.

Medical facilities, in comparison to the UK, are much lower in standard and payment might be required prior to receiving treatment. Access to medical facilities is limited, and emergency medical care is unsatisfactory. Private hospitals offer better facilities than the public hospitals, but these are also limited in the treatments that they can offer. In serious cases, doctors will often advise that a patient be medically evacuated to another country with better medical facilities. The cost of an air ambulance is very high.

If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for Togo. See our list of medical facilities in Togo.

Medicine

If you are on a prescription for any medication, you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Togo. Certain medicines may not be available in Togo (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Togo to find out about any alternative medication.

Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines

Local Laws and Customs

Please read through the travel advice for local laws and customs.

Safety and Security

Please read though our travel advice about safety and security.

Society

French is the official language in Togo. Ewe and Mina (the 2 main languages in the south), and Kabye and Dagomba (the 2 main languages used in the north) are also spoken.

The Togolese are naturally friendly people. Always greet and acknowledge people as failing to do so is considered extremely impolite. It is poor etiquette to eat with the left hand or offer another person something with it.

Homosexuality is illegal in Togo. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.

Working in Togo

A business visa is required to work in Togo after which a work permit has to be obtained. Receiving a work permit for those relocating to Togo is relatively simple, and an individual’s new employer can arrange for it.

Foreign nationals moving to Togo are often sponsored by their employer to obtain a work permit for the duration of their stay. A change in job will require a new work permit.

Togo Presse is one of the country’s largest newspapers and where job adverts are often published.

Studying in Togo

If you plan to study in Togo, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.

Visit the Togolese High Commission website to stay up to date and to make an online application.

Contact the relevant higher education provider in Togo to check what fees you have to pay.

Education

For people travelling to Togo with their children, there are a number of international schools available.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of schools in Lomé that offer international programs for students:

• American International School of Lomé (AISL)
• Lycée français de Lomé
• British school of Lomé
• Arc en Ciel International School
• École Charles de Gaulle Lomé

Contact the relevant school, college or university in Togo to check what fees you have to pay.

Tax

There is no double taxation agreement between the United Kingdom and Togo therefore you may be taxed on your UK income by the country in which you’re resident (Togo) and by the UK.

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Togo. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Togo

Read guidance on:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• tax if you get a pension and live abroad
• paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances

Benefits

Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Pensions

Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in Togo, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre  for further information.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Money and banking

Currency

The official currency of Togo is the West African Franc, with symbol and currency code XOF. It ranges from 1 XOF to 10000 XOF notes.

Exchanging Money

Lomé and other major cities have bureaux de change, and banks will also exchange currency. Exchanging money at the airport and in most major hotels is also possible. Travellers who decide to change money at the airport should compare the rate in the city first as it is usually better. It is advisable not to exchange cash with an individual on the street (black market) as there is a high probability that the money is counterfeit.

International traveller’s cheques are accepted in Lomé and other major cities.

Banking in Togo

It is possible for foreign citizens to open a bank account in Togo. Most banks offer services for current/checking and savings accounts, letters of credit and loans. Processes are usually quite straightforward,straightforward; however, requirements differ per banking institution.

Most banks in Togo provide services such as mobile and internet banking.

ATMs and Credit Cards

Togo is a cash-based society and credit cards, particularly Mastercard, are not universally accepted. There are some ATMs at major banks in Lomé, dispensing local currency (XOF).

Accommodation and buying property

See buying a property abroad.

There are some restrictions to foreign ownership in Togo. Only Togolese and French citizens; foreign governments; and those granted citizenship by the judiciary are allowed to own property. Other foreign nationals must request permission from the Prime Minister, which is usually granted to investors who will develop the land.

Driving in Togo

Read the guidance on driving abroad.

See guidance for travelling by road in Togo.

If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see taking a vehicle out of the UK.

You can drive in Togo on a UK driving licence for a short stay. If you’re staying longer than 6 months, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is also required. This must be renewed annually. Conversion to a local Togolese licence is not required, although it is possible. You would be required to take a driving test in Togo if converting to a Togolese licence.

Disabled drivers

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Togo, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Voting

You cannot vote in Togo if you are not a Togolese citizen.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership

Births

If your child is born in Togo, you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate. See register a birth abroad for more information.

If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to get a passport for your child

Deaths

If someone dies in Togo read our guidance on:

• what to do if someone dies abroad

• Bereavement guidance for Togo

• English-speaking funeral directors in Togo

Marriage and civil partnership

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

Pets

If you’re travelling to a non-EU country, you’ll need to get an export health certificate (EHC). You’ll also need to complete an export application form (EXA) if you’re in England, Scotland or Wales. An EHC checks that your pet meets the health requirements of the country you’re travelling to. You must nominate an official vet who will be sent the EHC. They’ll check your pet has met the correct health and identification requirements before you travel.

Pet import regulations for Togo require that you have:

• a Pet Passport
• proof of vaccination
• import permit
• Health Certificate for Togo

For additional information, read Togo Pet Passport & Import Regulations.

Emergencies

Dial:

• 117 for police
• 8200 for fire service
• 118 for ambulance

If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Togo, read the information for survivors of rape and sexual assault in Togo. See also guidance on victim of rape and sexual assault abroad.

If you are the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British High Commission Accra.

Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.

Returning to the UK

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.