...  Madagascar

Stay less than 3 months

For stays of less than three months, an entry and stay visa is required.
It can be issued either on arrival at the airport or by diplomatic or consular representations in France. It is chargeable in all cases.
This visa, known as non-immigration, is neither extendable nor convertible into a long-stay visa and does not give the right to exercise a remunerated activity.
Important note: the passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the date envisaged for the end of the stay in the territory.
Before going on a trip, register on Ariane, the security thread of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development.

Stay longer than 3 months

If you want to go to Madagascar as an immigrant for a period of more than three months (investment, work, studies, mission, retirement, family reunification ...), you must hold an entry visa and stay of one month extendable and transformable, delivered either by Malagasy diplomatic or consular representations or exceptionally by correspondence with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The granting of an immigration visa is the responsibility of the Ministry of the Interior. You must subscribe within seven working days of your arrival, a declaration of identity and nationality to the administrative authority of the place where you set your residence. This formality is compulsory for all people over the age of fifteen.
In addition, you must pay a deposit equal to the amount of the price of a plane ticket for the return to France to the Treasury or a public fund. Exceptionally, an exemption from the payment of guarantees may be issued by the Ministry of the Interior.
Also required:

• The international vaccination card
• A criminal record extract of less than six months
• Residence permit for all French immigrants over the age of twenty-one

In addition, you must comply with the laws and regulations concerning the various professional activities and formulate a request for renewal of your visa, three months before the expiration of the period which has been granted to you.

The French holder of a long-stay visa who thus becomes a resident must also have a residence permit. The long-stay visa is equivalent to a permanent exit and return visa for the duration of its validity

The fact of entering into a marriage with a person residing in Madagascar does not automatically confer the right to settle in this country beyond the time granted. It is then necessary to submit a new request indicating this new marital status.

To find out more about visas, setting up a company, investments in Madagascar ... go to the EDBM website

Oligatory vaccines

There is none, except against yellow fever for travelers from infested countries. In this case, vaccination must be done at least 10 days before departure for a primary vaccination. It takes effect immediately for a revaccination.

Recommended vaccines:

For other vaccinations, it is as for all recommended trips to be immunized against:

• diphtheria, tetanus and polio.
• hepatitis A and B.
• whooping cough (whose reappearance in adults, even in France, justifies vaccination for any trip).
• typhoid and rage for longer trips and especially for children.

Your passport must have a validity date greater than 6 months from your return date to be able to enter Malagasy territory.
Otherwise, you risk being turned back at the border.

In case of loss of your passport in Madagascar

You just have to make a declaration of loss or theft at the police station (provide identity photos), then go to the French Embassy which will issue you an authorization to leave the territory.

Backpacker tip:

Regularly, residents or tourists forget or have their identity documents, permits, ...

Certain precautions can be taken to limit the consequences of this:

   - Scan your identity documents and send them to your mailbox. Thus, with your declaration of loss and the copy of these documents, you will be able without any difficulty to continue your circuit, before going to the nearest consulate so that it delivers you a "pass".

   - Have your photocopies certified. Very common procedure in Madagascar, the latter consists of going to the nearest town hall (In Antananarivo, the town hall of the 1st arrondissement, behind Avenue de l'Indépendance ... the fastest, with your originals and copies, and have these copies certified as conforming, which costs around € 0.5 / document.

Also, you can then leave your passport, license, ... in the safes of the hotels you will frequent, and present these copies in the event of an inspection.

We have decided to devote two articles, unpretentious, in order to try to best answer the questions you are asking!

Currency in Madagascar:

Although there is only one official currency in force: the Ariary - Ar, in concrete terms, these are two monetary units that are used daily by the Madagascans, with large differences in values.
Indeed, most Malagasy people still use the FMG or Malagasy Monetary Franc to express themselves.
The FMG is 5 times lower than the Ariary.
Also, to avoid any risk of error, do not hesitate to ask the seller if the price he tells you is in Ariary or Fmg

Means of payment :

Although there is a real desire on the part of the Malagasy authorities and the banking sector to "popularize" payments by card, or by mobile payment systems, these methods are still very little used.

Also, provide cash to be changed on the spot, or bank cards in order to be able to withdraw money on the spot.

Bank card in Madagascar:

If the use of bank cards as a method of payment is still not widespread in the Big Island, on the other hand, withdrawals with C.B. begin to develop, also, D.A.B are more and more widespread in the big cities.

Please note: The exchange rates when withdrawing with a bank card are relatively low, the commissions high, and the ceiling limited (It is theoretically possible to make several successive withdrawals of 300,000 Ar (around 77 €), but this multiplication withdrawals leads to a multiplication of fixed costs !!! ...)
If you have the choice, choose the Carte Bleue, the Master Card is very rarely accepted!
To date, there is no ATM accepting Mastercards or American Express

Backpacker tips:

Cut-out to change
It is preferable to bring "big" cuts to make the change. Indeed, as surprising as it may seem, it is easier to get in exchange offices with good rates with denominations of € 100 or € 200, than with denominations of € 20 or € 50.

Reserve
Always keep € 100 in reserve on you, in case you leave your bag in a taxi, you lose it, than a pick-pocket (Mainly in Tana on the avenue of independence).
This sum will allow you, wherever you are on the island, to reach a place where you can get help from your loved ones.

Western Union agencies, which you will find throughout the island, will allow you to have money sent to you in minutes.

Avoid paying for your purchases with a Bank Card
It is best to pay cash for your purchases in stores. Indeed, the bank fees charged are high both for the merchant and for you! ...

Vast question than that of security in Madagascar!

To try to answer it, I will rely on my personal experience and my feelings. From this point of view, I would say that I do not feel more insecure here in Madagascar than in mainland France.
Admittedly, many news items come out daily in the newspapers, but very often, they are more the fruit of revenge, of guided attacks… than of free acts from which one cannot escape.
Most residents will give you the same advice to avoid being victimized:

The snatch flights:

• In Antananarivo, most of the snatch flights are located on Independence Avenue and the "Low Speed" Market. If the first place is essential and therefore requires all your vigilance, on the other hand, the second has little interest from a tourist point of view.
We recommend that you avoid on Independence Avenue taking your handbags or backpacks, or at least carry them on your stomach.
Thefts are mostly non-violent.
The stairs of the Queen's Palace (towards Mahamasina) are also not recommended if you do not know the city.
• In other big cities, don't hesitate to ask the Malagasy people where pickpockets are rampant. Malagasy people are very considerate of foreigners, and will not hesitate to help you, even to accompany you.

Flights in the Bush Taxi stations:

Although increasingly rare, they do exist.
To counter this, stay with your luggage until it is loaded on the gallery of the bush taxi.
If you stop on the road to drop off a passenger, watch carefully that the bush taxi driver's assistant does not confuse your luggage with that of the passenger.

Attacks on the road:

Although this phenomenon has developed in recent years, it remains a targeted and nocturnal phenomenon.
Most of the time, highway bandits attack a bush taxi because they previously had information about one of the passengers who transport either a lot of money (zebu merchants, collector, wholesalers), or precise stones, or 'gold.
After blocking the vehicle on the road, the bandits bring down the passages and strip them of their phones, money, ... normally without violence.
This relatively recent phenomenon is linked to political instability and should hopefully disappear after the elections.
We recommend that you encourage day trips, even if it means stopping along your route.

Other insecurity phenomena:

• Some tourist "attacks" have taken place on the Tsiribina. There too, according to the echoes collected, we were targeted by piroguiers and their passenger, who did not respect the populations of the villages on the rivers. Also, we advise you to use local guides or formal agencies.
• In the evenings in the cities, we advise you to return by taxi, especially if you do not know the country. (The average taxi fare is 2 €)

In all cases, we invite you to the same caution / vigilance that you would have if you had to take the metro in Paris, visit the Eiffel Tower, take a suburban TER at night ...

Exchange rate in Madagascar:

The benchmark index for the exchange rate in Madagascar is that of the interbank foreign exchange market, or M.I.D. To find out the daily rate, go to the website of the central bank of Madagascar:

There are 3 possibilities to change your money:

- Bank
Many banking establishments are present in all major cities of Madagascar: BOA, BNI, BFV, BMOI, ...
The exchange rates used by these financial institutions are generally 5 to 8% lower than the M.I.D.

- Approved exchange office: SOCIMAD, NCH, ...
Like banks, you will find many exchange offices in the main cities of Madagascar.
The rates charged by these exchange offices are generally more attractive than those of banks.
Depending on the amounts changed, you can claim a rate of 2 to 3% lower only than the rate of the M.I.D.

- Change on the black market
This practice is illegal. However, many "changers" offer their service along the avenue of independence, in Analakely and in the district of Tsaralalana.
If the rates can be attractive, however, the risks are high: counterfeit notes, incomplete bundle, ...

Bank card in Madagascar:

If the use of bank cards as a method of payment is still not widespread in the Big Island, on the other hand, withdrawals with C.B. begin to develop, also, D.A.B are more and more widespread in the big cities.

Please note: The exchange rates when withdrawing with a bank card are relatively low, the commissions high, and the ceiling limited (It is theoretically possible to make several successive withdrawals of 300,000 Ar (around 110 €), but this multiplication withdrawals leads to a multiplication of fixed costs !!! ...)
If you have the choice, choose the Carte Bleue, the Master Card is very rarely accepted!
To date, there is no ATM accepting Mastercards or American Express

Loss of your Visa card:

The easiest and fastest way is to call the special number of the interbank server 00 33 892 705 705 (€ 0.34 / min), interactive voice server, open 7 days a week, which directs each call to the call center. competent opposition.

Information to be provided
When you contact the service concerned, you will be asked for the 16-digit number of your card and its expiry date, as this will facilitate the search and will speed up the opposition.
As a precaution, you should therefore note this information on a document kept secure, obviously not in the same place as the card, and easily accessible in the event of loss or theft of your card.
The opposition center will in principle give you a registration number to keep.

Backpacker tips:

Reserve
Always keep € 100 in reserve on you, in case you leave your bag in a taxi, you lose it, than a pick-pocket (Mainly in Tana on the avenue of independence).
This sum will allow you, wherever you are on the island, to reach a place where you can get help from your loved ones.

Western Union agencies, which you will find throughout the island, will allow you to have money sent to you in minutes.

Avoid paying for your purchases with a Bank Card
It is best to pay cash for your purchases in stores. Indeed, the bank fees charged are high both for the merchant and for you! ...

Vast question than that of security in Madagascar!

To try to answer it, I will rely on my personal experience and my feelings. From this point of view, I would say that I do not feel more insecure here in Madagascar than in mainland France.
Admittedly, many news items come out daily in the newspapers, but very often, they are more the fruit of revenge, of guided attacks… than of free acts from which one cannot escape.
Most residents will give you the same advice to avoid being victimized:

The snatch flights:

• In Antananarivo, most of the snatch flights are located on Independence Avenue and the "Low Speed" Market. If the first place is essential and therefore requires all your vigilance, on the other hand, the second has little interest from a tourist point of view.
We recommend that you avoid on Independence Avenue taking your handbags or backpacks, or at least carry them on your stomach.
Thefts are mostly non-violent.
The stairs of the Queen's Palace (towards Mahamasina) are also not recommended if you do not know the city.
• In other big cities, don't hesitate to ask the Malagasy people where pickpockets are rampant. Malagasy people are very considerate of foreigners,  and will not hesitate to help you, even to accompany you.

Flights in the Bush Taxi stations:

Although increasingly rare, they do exist.
To counter this, stay with your luggage until it is loaded on the gallery of the bush taxi.
In the event of a stop on the road to drop off a passenger, watch carefully that the bush taxi driver's assistant does not inadvertently confuse your luggage with that of the passenger.

Attacks on the road:

Although this phenomenon has developed in recent years, it remains a targeted and nocturnal phenomenon.
Most of the time, highway bandits attack a bush taxi because they previously had information about one of the passengers who transport either a lot of money (zebu merchants, collector, wholesalers), or precise stones, or 'gold.
After blocking the vehicle on the road, the bandits bring down the passages and strip them of their phones, money, ... normally without violence.
This relatively recent phenomenon is linked to political instability and should hopefully disappear after the elections.
We recommend that you encourage day trips, even if it means stopping along your route.

Other insecurity phenomena:

• Some tourist "attacks" have taken place on the Tsiribina. There too, according to the echoes collected, we were targeted by piroguiers and their passenger, who did not respect the populations of the villages on the rivers. Also, we advise you to use local guides or formal agencies.
• In the evenings in the cities, we advise you to return by taxi, especially if you do not know the country. (The average taxi fare is 2 €)

In all cases, we invite you to the same caution / vigilance that you would have if you had to take the metro in Paris, visit the Eiffel Tower, take a suburban TER at night ...

On our page "Useful contacts", you will find all the information and contacts of general practitioners, medical specialists, ... and emergency services in Antananarivo but also for certain large cities of Madagascar.

We do not recommend using your European subscription to telephone and connect to Madagascar,

The cost of roaming is indeed very expensive for a destination like Madagascar, and this regardless of your operator.

The solution? ... the purchase of a local telephone / internet chip

There are several telephone operators in Madagascar: Orange, Telma, ... The best for you is to go to a store of one of these operators, and buy yourself a prepaid chip.

You will be asked to present your passport and complete a form.

Then you just have to top up your chip by buying scratch-off credit cards.

For those who would have to make purchases before starting their tour in Madagascar, here is a non-exhaustive list of stores and supermarkets in which you will find all the items you may need.

Most of them are geolocated on the city map below.

Score in Antsahabe (closest to hotel Niaouly)

Open every day of the week from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Jumbo score Ankorondrano

Open every day of the week from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The City in Ankorondrano

Open every day of the week from Monday to Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Shoprite Analakely

Open every day of the week from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Shoprite Tana Water Front in Ambodivona

Open every day of the week from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

There are 5 "bus stations" in Antananarivo to take a bush taxi, depending on your destination.

Two of them are likely to disappear in the near future:

 - Fasan'ny Karana
 - Ambodivona

• Bus station Fisandratana d'Ambohimanambola  - RN2 et RN7 

 
This is the new Antananarivo bus station, inaugurated in 2018, intended for carriers of RN2 (East) and RN7 (South) of Madagascar.

It is gradually replacing the bus stations of Ambodivona and Fasan'ny Karana.

A 4.570 m2 bus station building, 110 cooperative boxes, 22 shops, 4 offices, 6 counters, 2 refreshment booths, 18 urinals, a reception area, 663 m2 of waiting area and finally 2 service stations of 3,800 m2, a car park totaling 251 spaces for bush taxis and 89 spaces for visitors and taxis

• Bus station "Maki" d'Andohatapenaka - RN1 / RN4 / RN6 - North and North of Madagascar

The bush taxis of this station serve the cities of Mahajanga, Nosy-be, Diégo-Suarez, ...

The main building has sales counters, a waiting room that can accommodate several hundred people, 80 offices for cooperatives, 10 administrative offices, 32 embarkation and disembarkation docks, a fast food service, a sanitary area and shower.

• Fasan'ny Karana bus station - RN7 - South, South East and South West of Madagascar

The bush taxis of this bus station serve the cities of Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa, ​​Mananjary, Manakara, Tulear, ....This station will gradually disappear in favor of the new Fisandratana bus station in Ambohimanambola which is intended for the RN2 and RN7 carriers.
 

• Bus station d'Ambodivona - RN2 Tamatave

This station will gradually disappear in favor of the new Fisandratana bus station in Ambohimanambola which is intended for RN2 and RN7 carriers.

• Bus station d'Ampasampito - RN2 - Unique andasibe et Moromanga

This station only serves these 2 destinations. Please note, for Andasibe, you will have to take another Be taxi to reach Andasibe from the edge of the RN7.

In Madagascar, the buses that circulate in a city are called Taxis Be (not to be confused with bush taxis).

To know the different lines of be taxis, click here