Gabon

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Gabon’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Gabon set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Gabon High Commission on 020 7823 9986 or email gabonembassyuk@gmail.com.

Passport validity requirements

Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ that is at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Gabon.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to enter Gabon.

Applying for a visa

You must apply for a visa before travelling. For more information on the visa application process, contact the Gabon High Commission in the UK on 020 7823 9986 or email gabonembassyuk@gmail.com.

The most reliable way to get a visa is through the High Commission in the UK.

For business travel, you must provide a letter of invitation from an individual or company in Gabon explaining the reason for your trip.

For tourist travel, you must provide a hotel booking or letter from your hotel confirming your stay.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Gabon, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Gabon guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Gabon. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Gabon  

Ambulance: 117. Depending on your mobile network, call: 1300, 0174 or 0880 for SOS Médecins. Operators may only speak French.   

Fire: 177

Police: 177

None of these numbers are guaranteed to be reliable. Emergency help can be limited in some places that are hard to reach

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Gabon
• dealing with a death in Gabon
• being arrested or imprisoned in Gabon
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook