Photo: Vlad Shapochnikov / Unsplash
Practical info for Malaysia
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 GOV.UK, 19/03/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 28/04/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026999
- Medical emergenciesaccording to GOV.UK, 19/03/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 28/04/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026999
- Medical emergenciesfrom a mobile, according to GOV.UK, 19/03/2026112
- Fire brigadeaccording to GOV.UK, 19/03/2026994
- Fire brigadeaccording to the French embassy, 28/04/2026; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026999
Source: France Diplomatie, GOV.UK, French embassy, Portal das Comunidades Portuguesas, Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych RP · verified on 26/10/2026
Embassy and consulates
- British High Commission Kuala LumpurEmbassy
- Address
- Level 27, Menara Binjai, 2 Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur, 50450, Malaysia
- 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/malaysia/british-high-commission-kuala-lumpur
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 19/03/2026 ›
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Safety and travel advice
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country.
Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to all islands and dive sites off the coast of eastern Sabah from Sandakan to Tawau, including Lankayan Island, due to the threat of kidnapping.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Currency and payments
Currency: Ringgit (MYR).
ECB reference rate on 26/10/2026: €1 = 4.5731 MYR.
Source: SIX Group (ISO 4217), European Central Bank, EU Publications Office · verified on 26/10/2026
Time difference
Several time zones: +8 h to +8 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
Traffic drives on the left.
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You’ll need both the 1949 international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence to drive in Malaysia. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel. You must buy a new IDP for each additional year you plan to drive in Malaysia.”
Source: France Diplomatie, GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Mobile networks
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: Maxis (Sirocco, Airalo); CelCom (Sirocco); CelcomDigi (Sirocco); Digi Telecommunications (Sirocco); U Mobile (Sirocco).
eSIM prices for Malaysia
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 Malaysia?
Police: 999 (according to GOV.UK, 19/03/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 28/04/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026) ; Medical emergencies: 999 (according to GOV.UK, 19/03/2026 ; according to the French embassy, 28/04/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 30/06/2026) ; Medical emergencies: 112 (from a mobile, according to GOV.UK, 19/03/2026) ; Fire brigade: 994 (according to GOV.UK, 19/03/2026) ; Fire brigade: 999 (according to the French embassy, 28/04/2026; 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 Malaysia?
British High Commission Kuala Lumpur, Level 27, Menara Binjai, 2 Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur, 50450, Malaysia. Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
What are the entry requirements for Malaysia?
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included. Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 19/03/2026.
What is the travel advice for Malaysia?
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country. Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel FCDO advises against all but essential travel to all islands and dive sites off the coast of eastern Sabah from Sandakan to Tawau, including Lankayan Island, due to the threat of kidnapping. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
What currency is used in Malaysia?
Currency: Ringgit (MYR). ECB reference rate on 26/10/2026: €1 = 4.5731 MYR.
What is the time difference in Malaysia?
Several time zones: +8 h to +8 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 Malaysia?
Traffic drives on the left. Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You’ll need both the 1949 international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence to drive in Malaysia. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel. You must buy a new IDP for each additional year you plan to drive in Malaysia.”
Which mobile networks operate in Malaysia?
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: Maxis (Sirocco, Airalo); CelCom (Sirocco); CelcomDigi (Sirocco); Digi Telecommunications (Sirocco); U Mobile (Sirocco).