Eastern Africa · UN member
Mozambique: Travel Guide & Requirements
Republic of Mozambique · República de Moçambique
Mozambique is a country in Eastern Africa with its capital in Maputo. It has a population of 35.6 million (#46 in the world) and covers 799,380 km². The official language is Portuguese. The currency is the Mozambican metical (MZN, MT).
Where is Mozambique? Map of Mozambique
Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania.
- Region
- Eastern Africa
- Coordinates
- 18.25° S, 35° E
- Neighbours
- 6 — see list
- Coastline
- 2,470 km
- Mozambique
- Neighbours
- Capital
- Largest cities
Map of Mozambique showing Maputo (capital) and the largest cities: Nampula, Beira, Chimoio, Tete, Quelimane, Lichinga, Nacala and Pemba.
Travel requirements
What you need to travel to Mozambique
- Passport
Decree 10/2023 requires the citizens it exempts from the visa to hold a passport valid for at least six months, and the eVisa portal asks for a passport valid more than 6 months.
- Visa or eTA
Depends on your passport: of 198 passports, 17 need no visa, 29 need an eTA, 145 need an eVisa, 1 gets a visa on arrival, 6 need a visa from an embassy. Check yours or see Mozambique entry requirements for every passport.
- Return or onward ticket
The eVisa portal lists confirmed return tickets among the documents for a tourist eVisa application.
- Proof of funds
The eVisa portal lists proof of financial means, such as bank statements, among the documents for a tourist eVisa application.
- Travel insurance
No official requirement. Canada's travel advice says to make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.
- Vaccinations
WHO's country list says Mozambique requires proof of yellow fever vaccination from travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, and from travellers who have transited fo…
- Customs allowance
The UK government says to declare 10,000 Mozambican meticais or more in cash, and foreign cash or travellers' cheques worth USD 5,000 or more.
- Travel advice
High risk — US and UK advice.
Entry rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset (CC BY 4.0), each rule cited to an official government source. Always confirm with the airline and the official source before you travel.
Before you go
10 things to know before you travel to Mozambique
- Safety: Travel to Mozambique carries a high risk: the US State Department rates Mozambique Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”), and the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to parts of the country.
- Best time to go: June to August — when daytime highs in Maputo are around 25–27°C.
- Money: the Mozambican metical (MZN) — 1 US dollar is about 63.8301 MZN.
- Plugs: type C, F and M, 220 V, 50 Hz — standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
- Emergency numbers: Police 119, Ambulance 117, Fire 198.
- Language: Portuguese is official.
- Driving: on the left — speed limits are 60 km/h in built-up areas and 120 km/h outside built-up areas.
- Time zone: UTC+2 in Maputo.
- Capital: Maputo; the largest city is Matola. About 35.6 million people live in Mozambique.
- Outdoors: 8 national parks.
Key facts
Mozambique at a glance
Languages spoken: Makhuwa 26.1%, Portuguese (official) 16.6%, Tsonga 8.6%, Nyanja 8.1, Sena 7.1%, Lomwe 7.1%, Chuwabo 4.7%, Ndau 3.8%, Tswa 3.8%, other Mozambican languages 11.8%, other 0.5%, unspecified 1.8% (2017 est.)
Geography & history
About Mozambique
In the first half of the second millennium A.D., northern Mozambican port towns were frequented by traders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and India. The Portuguese were able to wrest much of the coastal trade from Arab Muslims in the centuries after 1500, and they set up their own colonies. Portugal did not relinquish Mozambique until 1975. Large-scale emigration, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development until the mid-1990s. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections a…
Read the full history
In the first half of the second millennium A.D., northern Mozambican port towns were frequented by traders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and India. The Portuguese were able to wrest much of the coastal trade from Arab Muslims in the centuries after 1500, and they set up their own colonies. Portugal did not relinquish Mozambique until 1975. Large-scale emigration, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development until the mid-1990s. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free-market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando GUEBUZA, served two terms and then passed executive power to Filipe NYUSI in 2015. RENAMO’s residual armed forces intermittently engaged in a low-level insurgency after 2012, but a 2016 cease-fire eventually led to the two sides signing a comprehensive peace deal in 2019. Since 2017, violent extremists -- who an official ISIS media outlet recognized as ISIS's network in Mozambique for the first time in 2019 -- have been conducting attacks against civilians and security services in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. In 2021, Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community deployed forces to support Mozambique’s efforts to counter the extremist group.
Location
Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania
Climate
tropical to subtropical
Terrain
mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west
Highest point
Monte Binga 2,436 m
Natural resources
coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite
Natural hazards
severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces
National symbols
rifle, hoe, and book
Driving
Speed limits & road rules in Mozambique
The default speed limits in Mozambique are 60 km/h in built-up areas and 120 km/h outside built-up areas. The legal alcohol limit for drivers is 0.6‰. Posted signs always take priority over these defaults.
- 6060 km/hBuilt-up areasTowns and cities
- 120120 km/hOutside built-up areasCountry roadsWith a trailer: 100 km/h
- International Driving PermitNot a party to the IDP conventionsCheck with the embassy whether your licence is accepted
- Driving sideDrive on the leftOvertake on the right
- Alcohol limit0.6‰ blood alcohol (0.06% BAC)
- Seat beltsRequired by law
- Child seatsRequired by law
- Motorcycle helmetsRequired for riders
- Road deaths (2021)20.1 per 100,000 peopleHigher than most countries (median 12.4)
Speed limits: OpenStreetMap wiki — Default speed limits (CC BY-SA 2.0). Road-safety laws: WHO Global Health Observatory. Compare speed limits and alcohol limits by country. Defaults for cars; local signs, weather and vehicle type can lower them.
Safety
Is Mozambique safe to visit?
Travel to Mozambique carries a high risk: the US State Department rates Mozambique Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”), and the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to parts of the country.
US State Department
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Latest update: New information about requirement for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) ('Entry requirements' page).
Updated 20 Aug 2026 · Full travel advice
Sources: US Department of State travel advisories (public domain) and UK FCDO foreign travel advice (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). Checked daily. Advice can change quickly — always read the official page before you travel.
Weather
Best time to visit Mozambique
The best time to visit Mozambique is June to August, when daytime highs in Maputo are around 25–27°C. May and September are also a good time to go. December is the warmest month (31°C by day), July the coldest (14°C at night), and January the wettest with about 153 mm of rain.
- Jan31°C22°C
- Feb31°C22°C
- Mar30°C21°C
- Apr28°C19°C
- May27°C16°C
- Jun25°C14°C
- Jul25°C14°C
- Aug27°C15°C
- Sep28°C17°C
- Oct29°C18°C
- Nov30°C20°C
- Dec31°C21°C
Best time Good Less ideal
Before you go
Plugs, voltage & emergency numbers in Mozambique
Plugs & sockets
- Type C (Europlug)two round pins
- Type F (Schuko)two round pins with earth clips on the sides
- Type Mthree large round pins in a triangle
220 V, 50 Hz · Standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
Emergency numbers
Save the local numbers before you travel — 112 or 911 may not connect here. All countries →
Sources: Wikipedia — Mains electricity by country and List of emergency telephone numbers (CC BY-SA 4.0).
National parks
8 national parks in Mozambique
- 33,078 km² protected
- oldest from 1960
Largest: Limpopo National Park · Banhine National Park · Gorongosa National Park
Currency · 26 October 2026
Mozambican metical exchange rates today
Mozambique uses the Mozambican metical (MZN, MT). One US dollar buys 63.8301 MZN; over the last 30 days the MZN has gained 0.0% against the dollar.
What other currencies cost in MZN
Currency converter
Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0), 26 Oct 2026. Banks and exchange offices add a margin.
World rankings
Where Mozambique ranks
How Mozambique compares with the rest of the world — open any card for the full ranking.
Airports
Airports in Mozambique
95 airports and airfields — 4 large, 12 medium and 79 small, plus 0 heliports. 12 have scheduled passenger flights.
Borders
Neighbouring countries
Mozambique borders 6 countries along 4,783 km of land borders. Coastline: 2,470 km.
Military
Mozambican armed forces
Mozambique ranks #112 of 145 in the Global Firepower military strength ranking, with a defence budget of $468 million (2025).
People
Population & society
Religion
Largest cities: Matola (1.9 million), Maputo (1.2 million), Nampula (969,000)
Economy
Economy
Main industries
aluminum, petroleum products, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco, food, beverages
Export partners
India 18%, China 13%, South Africa 9%, UAE 6%, Thailand 4% (2023)
Top exports
coal, natural gas, aluminum, gold, precious stones (2023)
Travel tools
Handy before every trip to Mozambique
Next public holiday
Christmas Day — Friday, 25 December 2026. Then New Year's Day (1 Jan).
Mozambican passport
Ranked #145: 29 countries visa-free, 25 with visa on arrival, 4 with an eTA and 36 with an eVisa.
Mozambican passport photo
Exact size, head position and background for Mozambique's passport and visa photos — make one free with AI checks.
Calling Mozambique
Dial +258 before the local number. Internet domain .mz.
Climate footprint
8.6 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024 — 0.25 t per person.
Entry requirements
Visa rules for every passport visiting Mozambique: visa-free stays, eVisas, visas on arrival and documents to bring.
News
Latest travel news about Mozambique
Nigerians Arriving in Comoros Can Get Visas on Arrival for Stays Up to 45 Days
Nigerian passport holders can obtain visas on arrival in 14 countries in 2026, including Comoros, where Passport Index lists stays of up to 45 days. …
Travellers to Mozambique Face Tighter Border Scrutiny Amid 20,243 Detentions
Mozambican police detained 21,369 people last month, of whom 20,243 were held for border violations, according to the PRM's weekly operational report…
Northern Mozambique Travel Risks Rise as Attacks Spread in Third Quarter
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports a 28% rise in security incidents across Cabo Delgado, Niassa and Nampula in…
Frequently asked questions about Mozambique
What do I need to travel to Mozambique?
How long must my passport be valid for Mozambique?
Where is Mozambique?
What is Mozambique known for?
What is the capital of Mozambique?
What language is spoken in Mozambique?
What currency does Mozambique use?
What is the calling code of Mozambique?
Which countries border Mozambique?
How strong is the Mozambican passport?
What is the speed limit in Mozambique?
Is Mozambique safe to visit?
When is the best time to visit Mozambique?
What plug type does Mozambique use?
How many airports does Mozambique have?
Sources: CIA World Factbook (public domain); World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0); names, languages and currencies: mledoze/countries (ODbL); flag: flag-icons (MIT); coat of arms: Wikimedia Commons (file page); exchange rates: Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0); airports: OurAirports.