Western Sahara travel advice

This advice has been reviewed and reissued. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Travel Summary

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information.
  
  
• Western Sahara is a disputed territory and the UK regards its status as undetermined. There is no British diplomatic or consular presence in Western Sahara. All enquiries should be made to the British Embassy in neighbouring Morocco. You should be aware that, in most cases, emergency consular assistance can only be done by telephone. See the General section of this travel advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a high threat from terrorism, as there is in neighbouring Morocco. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Developments in the region may trigger public unrest, especially after Friday prayers. You should avoid large gatherings of people and demonstrations, which can turn hostile. Be particularly alert in public places.
  
  
• You should register with the British Embassy in Rabat (Morocco) before you visit the territory.
  
  
• There is a high risk of unexploded mines in more remote areas. You should avoid driving off road and take care on main roads, especially when driving in more remote areas.
  
  
• We are not aware of any British nationals who required consular assistance in Western Sahara in 2008 but we are aware of difficulties with entering and exiting from the territory. Travel is restricted and while organised groups are generally permitted, independent overland travellers should be aware that they could be turned back at the border.
  
  
• We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a high threat from terrorism, as there is in neighbouring Morocco. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Although there have been no recent attacks in Western Sahara, there have been serious incidents in both Morocco and Mauritania. Please refer to our Morocco and Mauritania travel advice for further details.

Political Situation

The status of the territory of the Western Sahara is disputed between Morocco and the Polisario Front, and the UK regards sovereignty as undetermined. There has been a UN-monitored cease-fire in the territory since 1991.

There are occasional violent demonstrations in the territory. You should also be aware of the impact that the situation in Iraq, as well as wider Middle East issues (for example in Israel, Lebanon) has across the Arab world. You should follow news reports and be alert to developments in the Middle East that might trigger public disturbances, especially after Friday prayers. You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid public gatherings and demonstrations. Any increase in regional tension might affect travel advice.

Local Travel

Travel is restricted and, while organised groups are generally permitted, independent travellers should be aware that they could be turned back at the border.

You should also be aware that the border between neighbouring Algeria and Morocco is closed, and no attempt should be made to cross it at any point.

There is no rail service.

Road Travel

You don’t need an international drivers licence. An EU licence is sufficient.

There are thousands of unexploded mines in the Western Sahara, and occasional reports of fatal explosions. You should avoid driving off road and take care on main roads especially when driving in more remote areas. The territory also has a poor road safety record more generally.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Local laws and customs

Local laws reflect the fact that the territory is predominantly Muslim. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religion at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. For more general information see: Travelling During Ramadam.

Women, especially when travelling alone, will attract attention. To minimise hassle, dress respectfully, avoid wearing clothes that could be regarded as provocative (eg short skirts and low-necked, sleeveless tops), except on the beach.

Homosexuality is considered a criminal offence. Sexual relations outside marriage are also punishable by law.

The penalties for possession of even small amounts of drugs are severe; up to ten years' imprisonment, with no remission for good behaviour, heavy fines and confiscation of your vehicle/vessel.

It is against the law to carry bibles in Arabic, to attempt to distribute any non-Muslim/evangelical literature, or be involved in any such activity.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Your Trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

British nationals do not require entry visas for the purpose of tourism. You should ensure when entering the country, particularly during the busy summer months, that your passports are stamped. You will then be able to stay for up to three months. Some tourists have experienced difficulties leaving the country because their passports had no entry stamp.

Passport validity

Your passport will need to be valid for at least six months after your arrival.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

Health

Medical facilities are generally good in the main cities (eg Laayoune, Dhakla and Smara) - all have hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. For more sophisticated medical treatment (scans etc) you may need to go to a major centre in Morocco (eg Agadir, Casablanca or Rabat). Medical facilities are almost non-existent in desert areas.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Western Sahara and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

General

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more details see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Consular Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

British Representation

There is no British diplomatic or consular presence in Western Sahara. The British Embassy in Rabat (Morocco) can provide only emergency consular services in Western Sahara. For other services, such as replacement passports, you will need to travel to Rabat. You should also register with the British Embassy in Rabat before your visit to the territory.

Money

Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels. Banking and ATM facilities beyond the main cities of Laayoune, Dhakla and Smara are very limited.

The Moroccan dirham, the local currency, is non-convertible and cannot be exported.