Practical info for Ivory Coast
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.
- Policeaccording to the French embassy, 08/10/2026100
- Policeaccording to GOV.UK, 29/05/2026; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026110
- Policeaccording to GOV.UK, 29/05/2026111
- Policeaccording to GOV.UK, 29/05/2026170
- Medical emergenciesaccording to GOV.UK, 29/05/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 08/10/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026185
- Fire brigadeaccording to GOV.UK, 29/05/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 08/10/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026180
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 29/05/2026 ›
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.
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
FCDO advises against all travel to:
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 20km of the border with Liberia owing to the risk of serious violence by local militias.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
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+00:00, the same time as in 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 must have the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP) or a local driving licence. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel. In case the police stop you, always carry your UK licence and an IDP, or a local licence, plus your car registration documents and insurance card.”
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Mobile networks
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: Orange (Sirocco, Airalo).
eSIM prices for Ivory Coast
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 Ivory Coast?
Police: 100 (according to the French embassy, 08/10/2026) ; Police: 110 (according to GOV.UK, 29/05/2026; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026) ; Police: 111 (according to GOV.UK, 29/05/2026) ; Police: 170 (according to GOV.UK, 29/05/2026) ; Medical emergencies: 185 (according to GOV.UK, 29/05/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 08/10/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026) ; Fire brigade: 180 (according to GOV.UK, 29/05/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 08/10/2026 ; 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 Ivory Coast?
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 Ivory Coast?
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included. Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 29/05/2026.
What is the travel advice for Ivory Coast?
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all travel to parts of the country. Areas where FCDO advises against travel FCDO advises against all travel to: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 20km of the border with Liberia owing to the risk of serious violence by local militias. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
What currency is used in Ivory Coast?
Currency: CFA Franc (BCEAO) (XOF). The ECB does not publish a reference rate for XOF.
What is the time difference in Ivory Coast?
Local time: UTC+00:00, the same time as in 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 Ivory Coast?
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You must have the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP) or a local driving licence. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel. In case the police stop you, always carry your UK licence and an IDP, or a local licence, plus your car registration documents and insurance card.”
Which mobile networks operate in Ivory Coast?
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: Orange (Sirocco, Airalo).