Practical info for Benin
Emergencies, embassy, entry requirements, money: the essentials before you go, with the official source and the date each piece of information was checked.
Embassy and entry requirements shown for travellers from: United Kingdom.
Emergency numbers
Official sources give different numbers for some services: each number is shown with its source.
- Single emergency numberaccording to France Diplomatie, 15/09/2026166
- Policeaccording to GOV.UK, 15/12/2025 ; according to the French embassy, 08/04/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026117
- Medical emergenciesaccording to the French embassy, 08/04/2026112
- Medical emergenciesaccording to GOV.UK, 15/12/2025; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026118
- Fire brigadeaccording to GOV.UK, 15/12/2025 ; according to the French embassy, 08/04/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026118
Source: France Diplomatie, GOV.UK, French embassy, Portal das Comunidades Portuguesas, Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych RP · verified on 26/10/2026
Embassy and consulates
- British Embassy AbidjanEmbassy
- Address
- Ambassade de Grande-Bretagne, Cocody Quartier AmbassadesImpasse du Belier, Rue A 58, 01 BP 2581 Abidjan 01, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
- Consular emergency line
- To call us in an emergency or send us an online enquiry use our contact form: https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/posts/cote-d-ivoire/british-embassy-abidjan
Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
Entry requirements
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included.
Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 15/12/2025 ›
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Safety and travel advice
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all travel to parts of the country; FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country.
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
FCDO advises against all travel to the Parc du W National Park and the hunting zones of Mékrou and Djona.
FCDO also advises against all travel to:
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the area between the Interstate Highway (RNIE) 2 from Tchaourou to Malanville and the Benin-Nigeria border, due to increasing criminality.
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Currency and payments
Currency: CFA Franc (BCEAO) (XOF).
The ECB does not publish a reference rate for XOF.
Source: SIX Group (ISO 4217), European Central Bank, EU Publications Office · verified on 26/10/2026
Time difference
Local time: UTC+01:00, +1 h compared with London (calculated on 26/10/2026).
The clocks change in London on 28/03/2027: the difference may change that day.
Source: IANA (time zones) · verified on 26/10/2026
Driving
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You’ll need to have both the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car.”
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Mobile networks
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: Celtiis (Sirocco); Celtis (Airalo).
eSIM prices for Benin
7 days, 5 GB · prices checked on 26/10/2026
3 brands compared, not an exhaustive listWhy this ranking?
Ranked by price: for each brand, the cheapest plan that covers 7 days and 5 GB.
Not an exhaustive comparison: 3 brands out of the dozens that sell eSIMs. The list of brands compared is in our Methodology.
eSIMeter is published by Mocom SAS, which sells Sirocco: the site is funded by those sales. No other brand pays us.
Frequently asked questions
What are the emergency numbers in Benin?
Single emergency number: 166 (according to France Diplomatie, 15/09/2026) ; Police: 117 (according to GOV.UK, 15/12/2025 ; according to the French embassy, 08/04/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026) ; Medical emergencies: 112 (according to the French embassy, 08/04/2026) ; Medical emergencies: 118 (according to GOV.UK, 15/12/2025; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026) ; Fire brigade: 118 (according to GOV.UK, 15/12/2025 ; according to the French embassy, 08/04/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026). Official sources give different numbers for some services: each number is shown with its source.
How do I contact the embassy or consulate in Benin?
British Embassy Abidjan, Ambassade de Grande-Bretagne, Cocody Quartier AmbassadesImpasse du Belier, Rue A 58, 01 BP 2581 Abidjan 01, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
What are the entry requirements for Benin?
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included. Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 15/12/2025.
What is the travel advice for Benin?
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all travel to parts of the country; FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country. Areas where FCDO advises against travel FCDO advises against all travel to the Parc du W National Park and the hunting zones of Mékrou and Djona. FCDO also advises against all travel to: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the area between the Interstate Highway (RNIE) 2 from Tchaourou to Malanville and the Benin-Nigeria border, due to increasing criminality.
What currency is used in Benin?
Currency: CFA Franc (BCEAO) (XOF). The ECB does not publish a reference rate for XOF.
What is the time difference in Benin?
Local time: UTC+01:00, +1 h compared with London (calculated on 26/10/2026). The clocks change in London on 28/03/2027: the difference may change that day.
What should I know about driving in Benin?
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You’ll need to have both the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car.”
Which mobile networks operate in Benin?
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: Celtiis (Sirocco); Celtis (Airalo).