Comoros: Travel Requirements, Health, and Medical Insurance
Comoros is an archipelago in the Mozambique Channel where most nationalities can obtain a visa directly upon arrival at Moroni's international airport, with no need for a prior consular process. The currency is the Comorian franc (KMF), and the official languages are Comorian (Shikomor), Arabic, and French.
The country combines volcanic beaches, coral reefs, and the active Karthala volcano, but its hospital network is basic, and serious medical cases usually require evacuation to the French island of Réunion or to Mayotte, or to the African mainland. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is the difference between a manageable emergency and a much bigger problem.
Visa and health for travelers
Visa: Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Moroni's airport, with no prior consular process.
Health & travel insurance: The hospital network is basic and serious cases are usually evacuated to Réunion, Mayotte, or the African mainland; insurance with evacuation coverage is recommended.
Visa and entry requirements
The visa on arrival is paid at Moroni's airport and is usually processed within minutes for most nationalities. It's worth carrying cash for payment, since card acceptance at the entry point can be limited.
- Passport valid for at least six months.
- Return ticket or onward travel ticket.
- Enough cash to pay the visa-on-arrival fee.
Health, hospitals, and medical insurance
Moroni has the country's main hospital, with limited capacity for complex cases. In a serious emergency, evacuation to Réunion, Mayotte, or a medical center on the African mainland is typical.
Assist-365 covers hospitalization, COVID-19, and 24-hour medical assistance in Comoros; the code MEDALLOADV2023 gives a discount when you quote the plan.
Transportation and currency
The currency is the Comorian franc (KMF). Travel between the three main islands (Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Mohéli) is done by small aircraft or boats, with limited frequency and dependent on weather.
When to travel
The dry season, between May and October, offers the most pleasant weather for diving and visiting the three islands. The rainy season, November to April, coincides with higher tropical cyclone risk.
Travel checklist for Comoros
Quick list based on this guide's real data (not generic) before traveling to Comoros.
- Check the visa requirement for Comoros based on your passport: Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Moroni's airport, with no prior consular process.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the entry date
- Travel medical insurance arranged, keeping this in mind: The hospital network is basic and serious cases are usually evacuated to Réunion, Mayotte, or the African mainland; insurance with evacuation coverage is recommended.
- Save Comoros's emergency number: 17 (police) / 18 (fire department), along with your insurer's contact
- Cash or a no-fee card in Comorian Franc (KMF)
- Physical and digital copies of passport, insurance and bookings
- Required or recommended vaccines up to date for the region
- eSIM or international data plan active on arrival
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to arrange a visa before traveling to Comoros?
Most nationalities can obtain the visa directly upon arrival at Moroni's airport, with no prior consular process.
What is the emergency number in Comoros?
17 for police and 18 for fire department, with limited response capacity outside Moroni.
What happens if I have a serious medical emergency in Comoros?
Complex cases usually require evacuation to Réunion, Mayotte, or the African mainland, so it's worth having insurance that covers that transfer.
What currency should I use in Comoros?
The Comorian franc (KMF); it's worth carrying cash for small expenses and less touristy islands.
