Practical info for the DR Congo
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
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 KinshasaEmbassy
- Address
- 83, Avenue Roi Baudouin, Gombe, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- 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/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/british-embassy-kinshasa
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 08/10/2026 ›
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 but essential travel to:
FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the border with the Central African Republic.
FCDO advises against all travel to the provinces of:
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Currency and payments
Currency: Congolese franc (CDF).
The ECB does not publish a reference rate for CDF.
Source: SIX Group (ISO 4217), European Central Bank, EU Publications Office · verified on 26/10/2026
Time difference
Several time zones: +1 h to +2 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 a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in DRC. You will not be able to buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.”
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Mobile networks
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: Airtel (Sirocco, Airalo); Airtel/ZAIN (Sirocco); Orange (Sirocco).
eSIM prices for the DR Congo
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 the DR Congo?
Police: 112 ; Fire brigade: 118
How do I contact the embassy or consulate in the DR Congo?
British Embassy Kinshasa, 83, Avenue Roi Baudouin, Gombe, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
What are the entry requirements for the DR Congo?
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included. Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 08/10/2026.
What is the travel advice for the DR Congo?
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 but essential travel to: FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the border with the Central African Republic. FCDO advises against all travel to the provinces of:
What currency is used in the DR Congo?
Currency: Congolese franc (CDF). The ECB does not publish a reference rate for CDF.
What is the time difference in the DR Congo?
Several time zones: +1 h to +2 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 the DR Congo?
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You’ll need a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in DRC. You will not be able to buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.”
Which mobile networks operate in the DR Congo?
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: Airtel (Sirocco, Airalo); Airtel/ZAIN (Sirocco); Orange (Sirocco).