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Please be advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice is now available at Ireland.ie/travel. Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated. To ensure you receive the latest Travel Advice for Maldives, please see Ireland.ie.

Maldives

If you’re travelling to the Maldives our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information.

Security Status

  • Normal precautions
  • High degree of caution
  • Avoid non-essential travel
  • Do not travel
  • Overview
  • Safety and Security
  • Local Laws and Customs
  • Natural Disasters and Climate
  • Additional Information
  • Embassy Contact

Overview

Overview

Security status

High Degree of Caution

General Travel Advice

Irish citizens require a visa to enter Maldives and most travellers avail of the visa on arrival service. 

A valid passport is required for travel to Maldives. Irish passports should have a minimum validity of six months. Passport cards cannot be used.

For more information on visas and passports, please see the Additional Information tab.  

Visitors to Maldives are advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities and stay fully informed of what's going on by monitoring local news and social media.

Citizens can also follow the Irish Embassy in India on social media (Twitter @IndiainIreland and Facebook) to ensure access to relevant updates and alerts.

Emergency Assistance

The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.

You can contact the emergency services in Maldives by dialling 119. Specific emergency numbers are:

  • Police: 119
  • Fire brigade: 118
  • Ambulance: 102

Our tips for Safe Travels:

  • Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all your planned activities.
  • Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
  • Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
  • Read our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.

As there is no Irish Embassy in Maladives, we are limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the Irish Embassy in New Delhi (see Contact Tab for details).

Safety and Security

Safety and security

Unrest

Caution should be exercised on Malé Island where political protests have been ongoing and there remains a possibility of civil unrest.

Irish citizens travelling within the Maldives are advised to take extra care, follow the advice of local authorities and avoid any large gatherings, protests or rallies.

Crime

Petty crime is rare; however, there are reports of theft of personal items from beaches and in hotel rooms.

Gang-related violence, including knife crime, has increased in populated areas, including Malé; however, there are no reports of any such violence on resort islands.

Terrorism

There is a risk of terrorism in the Maldives. We advise you to be aware of your surroundings, avoid any demonstrations that may occur and monitor the media and other local sources for information about possible safety or security risks.

Safety

Rescue services may not be consistent with international standards. There have been several diving injuries and deaths due to poor equipment and poor compliance to safety standards by local dive operators.

Be careful when swimming in the sea, as several people drown each year because of strong and dangerous currents. 

Local Laws and Customs

Local laws and customs

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal. 

Natural Disasters and Climate

Natural disasters and climate

Practical advice

  • If you’re travelling to this country, make sure you know what to expect – then plan and pack so that you’re prepared
  • Get local advice on how to manage in the case of a serious incident or dangerous conditions
  • Co-operate with local authorities and emergency services in the case of serious incidents

Additional Information

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

The visa-on-arrival service is available to Irish tourists travelling to Maldives, provided that the entry requirements are met. The entry requirements include: a passport with at least 1 month’s validity (please note that most airlines require at least 6 months’ passport validity from the date of entry); a complete travel itinerary including onward travel from Maldives; and completed Traveller Declaration form. For the full entry requirements, you should consult the Maldives Immigration website.

If you have further immigration queries, you should contact the Embassy of the Republic of Maldives in London, or the Maldives Department of Immigration.

Health

Check with your doctor well in advance of travelling to see if you need any vaccinations for this country. We advise you to take out comprehensive travel insurance before you travel.

Maldives has limited medical facilities. There are two hospitals in Malé that deal with routine medical problems, but some island resorts can be several hours' travel away from Malé. Medical evacuation, which can be very expensive, may be necessary in the event of serious illness or injury, so make sure your travel insurance covers this eventuality.

Zika Virus

In the past there have been outbreaks of Zika Virus (a dengue-like mosquito-borne disease) in the Maldives. Infection with Zika virus has been increasingly linked with a serious birth condition called microcephaly where the baby is born with an abnormally small head and/or brain damage. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, and plan to travel to areas affected by the Zika Virus, you are advised to discuss your travel plans with your healthcare provider and to consider postponing your travel to affected areas. Irish Citizens are advised to follow the advice of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

Embassy contact

Embassy Contact

We do not have an Embassy in the Maldives, please contact Embassy of Ireland India.

Embassy of Ireland
C17 Malcha Marg
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110 021
India

Tel: +91 11 4940 3200
Fax: +91 11 4059 1898

Monday to Friday 09:00-13:30 and 14:40-17:00

Contact us