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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 Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated.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 Reunion, please see Ireland.ie.

Reunion

If you’re travelling to Reunion, 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

Latest Travel Alert

The cyclone season in Réunion normally runs from December to April. Cyclones can cause severe damage to property. The authorities have a well-structured system of phased warnings in place. You should follow any advice issued by the local authorities. If you are travelling to or living in Réunion, make sure you know what to do in the event of a cyclone.

You can find further information on the website of the World Meteorological Organisation.

Exercise caution when swimming or surfing. Riptides and shark attacks occur often. It is forbidden to practice aquatic activities in dangerous areas.

You can find further information on the website of La Réunion.

General Travel Advice

Irish citizens need a valid passport or passport card to enter Réunion.

Réunion is an Overseas Department of France and part of the European Union. Irish passports do not have a minimum validity requirement while travelling to the UK or within the EU. When travelling within the European Union with an Irish passport, it should be valid for the duration of your stay. 

Irish citizens do not require a visa to enter Réunion.

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

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 Réunion by dialling 112. Specific emergency numbers are:

  • Police: 17
  • Fire brigade: 18
  • Ambulance: 15

As there is no Irish Embassy or Consulate in Réunion, we are limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency situation. However, if there is an emergency, or if you need help and advice, you can contact our Embassy in Paris on +331 44176700 or our Consular Assistance Unit at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin on +353 1 408 2000.

Our tips for Safe Travels:

Safety and Security

Safety and security

Practical advice

  • Read our Know Before You Go travel guide for useful security tips when travelling abroad
  • Get advice locally about areas of risk and security concerns
  • Take common-sense precautions about safety and security
  • Know who to contact in case of an emergency

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

Climate

Réunion is a tropical island just above the Tropic of Capricorn in the Indian Ocean. It has good all year round temperatures. Réunion can experience heavy rainfall between January and March.

Cyclone

The cyclone season in Réunion normally runs from November to May. Cyclones can cause extensive damage to property. The authorities have a well-structured system of phased warnings and you should follow any advice issued by the local authorities. If you’re travelling to or living in Réunion, make sure you know what to do in the event of a cyclone.

Additional Information

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Entry requirements for Irish citizens traveling to Reunion are the same as for travel to France. There is no need to obtain a visa (short stay or long stay) and the Irish passport must be valid up to the return date. No extra validity is required.

Health

Travel and medical insurance

Before travelling, the Department strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Vaccinations

Check with your doctor a minimum of eight weeks in advance of departure to see if you need any vaccinations for travel to Réunion.

 

Embassy contact

Embassy Contact

Please note that if you require urgent assistance while the Embassy is closed, contact the main Embassy number, 0033(0) 1 44 17 67 00, and leave a message on the Duty Officer voice mailbox. This mailbox will be monitored regularly.

Embassy of Ireland
12 ave Foch
75116 Paris
France

Tel: +331 44176700
Fax: +331 4417 6750

Monday to Friday 09:30-12:00

Contact us