Macao (SAR of China)

Still current at: 08 March 2010
Updated: 16 February 2010

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary and the Health section (removal of references to Swine Flu and Avian Influenza). The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are currently no travel restrictions in place in Macao.

Travel Summary

There is no formal British Consulate in Macao. If you require assistance when you are in Macao you should contact the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong. See the Contact Details section of this Travel Advice.

Although Macao has separate immigration controls from Mainland China and separate legal and law enforcement systems, it could still be vulnerable to both terrorism directed at China, and the global threat from terrorism. They could be indiscriminate including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

In the first six months of 2009, 30,006 British tourists visited Macao (Source: the Macao Tourism Board). Most visits are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in 2008 was for replacing lost and stolen passports. You should take sensible precautions against pickpocketing and other street crime.

The typhoon season in Macao normally runs from April to October. See the Natural Disasters section of this Travel Advice.

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice.

Further reading...

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling, as the cost of medical care in Macao is high. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is When Things Go Wrong. There is no formal British Consulate in Macao. If you require assistance when you are in Macao you should contact the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong, who will put you in contact with our Honorary Consul in Macao if necessary.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travellng abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. Find out more about registering with LOCATE.