Niger
Warnings and insurance
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
FCDO advises against all travel to Niger, except the capital city of Niamey, for security reasons.
Niamey
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Niamey. We recommend that British Nationals who decide to travel remain within the city limits of Niamey.
Security situation in Niger
The political situation remains unstable following the military coup on 26 July 2023. Further instability is possible.
If you choose to travel to Niger, you should remain vigilant and monitor travel advice and local media.
British Nationals should be particularly vigilant when walking in crowded public places, including camps for displaced people, religious gatherings and insecure spaces like places of worship, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, night clubs, restaurants, nature reserves and national parks, and transport hubs.
British nationals should not cross the bridges over the River Niger on foot at any time.
Travel within or out of Niger is at your own risk. The FCDO cannot offer advice on the safety of travelling to any departure point within Niger.
Nigerien airspace has reopened, however there could be disruptions to commercial flights from Niamey’s Diori International Airport at short notice.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Limited consular support
The British Embassy in Niamey does not offer consular assistance. Consular support is provided from the British Embassy in Lagos, Nigeria. They cannot provide in-person assistance.
If there is serious violence, unrest or a deterioration in the security situation, it could be difficult to leave safely.
Do not rely on the British government to evacuate you as they may not be able to do so. Have your own plans on how you would leave the country, make sure you keep all travel documentation up to date and monitor the local situation.
Help and support
If you are a British national in Niger and need assistance, contact FCDO’s 24-7 services in Lagos by telephone on +234 (1) 277 0782 and select option 2 for consular services for British nationals.
If you are in the UK and worried about a British person in Niger, you can call FCDO in London 24-7 on 020 7008 5000.
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Update history
2024-12-05 15:50
Updated information on recent terrorist attacks and kidnappings in Niger (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2024-11-13 15:32
Information on enhanced security checks when entering Niger (Entry requirements’ page) and on the requirement to be escorted by Nigerien security forces outside of Niamey (‘Regional risks’ page).
2024-11-01 15:37
New information on enhanced security checks on foreign nationals arriving by air (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-10-10 16:05
Updated information on increased security in Niamey (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page).
2024-10-07 09:53
Updated information on political situation (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-08-20 13:45
FCDO now advises against all travel to the rest of Niger, except the capital city of Niamey (‘Warnings and security’ page).
2023-11-02 14:50
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand. Latest update: UK staff have returned to Niger after they were temporarily withdrawn in August.
2023-09-07 10:36
Information on the reopening of Nigerien airspace (‘Summary’ page).
2023-08-19 12:16
Information on the temporary withdrawal of UK staff from Niger
2023-08-11 15:06
Information on travel within or out of Niger (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-04 14:32
Information on scheduled commercial flights from Niger (‘Summary’ page). FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Niger.
2023-08-03 00:58
Information about temporarily reducing the number of staff at the Embassy
2023-08-02 17:11
Information on a demonstration being called on 3 August, Niger independence day. Advice on how to contact FCDO. FCDO advises against all travel to Niger. If you are in Niger, register your presence with FCDO (‘Summary’ page).
2023-08-01 16:57
Information on how there are currently no commercial flight options available to leave Niger and that the situation remains volatile (‘Summary’ page).
2023-07-31 21:53
Register Your Presence in Niger (Summary)
2023-07-31 20:43
We advise against all travel to Niger
2023-07-30 13:02
Information about political instability and protests in Niamey on 30 July (‘Summary’ page).
2023-07-27 00:56
Information about political instability in Niamey; broadcast on 26 July (‘Summary’ page).
2023-07-26 19:16
Information about political instability in Niamey (‘Summary’ page).
2023-07-26 16:24
Information about the political instability in Niamey (‘Summary’ page).
2023-06-22 11:32
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2022-10-08 14:49
Information on protests planned in Niamey on 9 October
2022-10-07 17:28
Information on a protest that has been organised on Sunday 9 October in Tillabéri.
2022-09-26 16:52
Removal of information on the air traffic control strike in West Africa (‘Summary’ page).
2022-09-24 17:45
Addition of information about a regional air traffic control strike in West Africa which is affecting flights in and out of Niamey (See ‘Summary’ page)
2022-09-16 15:03
Addition of information about a planned protest on Sunday 18 September in Niamey (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-08-12 14:11
Addition of information about an IED attack that took place in Bougoum on the 11 August 2022 (‘Terrorism’ page)
2022-06-09 15:33
Updated information on security and road travel (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-04-29 17:09
The ‘Terrorism’ section has been updated.
2022-04-25 15:48
Updated information on entry requirements in relation to COVID-19 (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-03-16 14:04
This travel advice has been reviewed in full with editorial amendments throughout. Updated information on consular assistance, security, entry requirements and terrorism incidents (‘Safety and Security’, ‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)