+ 1 h; +/- 0 h during our summer time

Maputo

Portuguese

• 220 volts
• A travel plug adapter for type C, F and M sockets is required

Banks

7.30/8.00 am - 11.00 am and 3.00 - 4.30 pm (Mon - Fri)

Shops

8.30 am - 12.30 pm and 2.00 - 6.00 pm (Mon - Fri)
8.00 am - 1.30 pm (Sat)

• 1 January - New Year’s Day
• 3 February - Mozambican Heroes’ Day
• 7 April - Mozambican Women’s Day
• 1 May - Labour Day
• 25 June - Independence Day
• 7 September - Victory Day
• 25 September - Revolution Day
• 4 October - Peace and Reconciliation Day
• 25 December - Family Day

The following documents are required for entry into Mozambique:

• A Swiss passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival
• For stays of up to 30 days, no visa is required.
• Travellers must present a return ticket and proof of sufficient financial means.

• Minors: For minors travelling alone, with only one parent or without their parents, a travel authorisation is recommended.

As of: March 2025

Despite its coastal location, Mozambique has a wide variety of climatic conditions shaped by its geographical differences:

• Coastal region (e.g. Maputo, Beira): Tropical and humid, with hot summers around 30 °C and a pronounced rainy season from October to March, often accompanied by a risk of cyclones.
• Central inland areas (e.g. Tete): Hotter and drier, with temperatures exceeding 35 °C during the dry season and occasional heavy rainfall.
• Northern highlands (e.g. Niassa): Milder due to the higher altitude, with temperatures of 20–25 °C during the dry season and more moderate rainfall.

Best time to travel to Mozambique:

• Beach holidays and coastal exploration (e.g. Maputo, Inhambane, Bazaruto Archipelago): The dry season from April to September is ideal for visiting these regions. Temperatures are pleasantly between 20 °C and 28 °C and rainfall is low, creating excellent conditions for sunbathing and water sports.
• Safari and nature exploration (e.g. Gorongosa National Park): The best time to visit is during the late dry season from July to October. Temperatures range from 20 °C to 25 °C, and the drier vegetation makes wildlife easier to spot.
• Cultural city trips (e.g. Maputo, Ilha de Moçambique): The transitional months of April/May and September/October are ideal for visits. Temperatures are milder (22–27 °C) and humidity is lower, providing pleasant conditions for sightseeing and exploring cities.

• Using a mobile phone in Mozambique may incur roaming charges. It is advisable to check roaming fees before travelling and, if necessary, purchase a suitable roaming package to reduce costs.
• Free Wi-Fi is available in some restaurants, cafés and hotels, particularly in cities.
• To reduce roaming costs, it is advisable to purchase a prepaid SIM card in Mozambique, offering affordable mobile Internet and local calls.
• In Mozambique, the president can order a partial or complete Internet shutdown during times of crisis, such as political unrest, as has happened in the past.

• Ilha de Moçambique: A historic island in the Indian Ocean and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its colonial architecture and cultural diversity.
• Maputo: The capital, with its railway station designed by Gustave Eiffel, Portuguese fortress and lively markets.
• Gorongosa National Park: A biodiverse park with savannahs, forests and Mount Gorongosa, ideal for safaris.
• Bazaruto Archipelago: A marine paradise with white sandy beaches, coral reefs and excellent opportunities for diving and snorkelling.
• Quirimbas Archipelago: 32 coral islands in the north, with unspoilt nature and rich marine life.
• Tofo Beach: A relaxed beach destination in Inhambane, famous for surfing and the chance to see whale sharks.
• Inhaca Island: A peaceful island near Maputo, with beautiful beaches and a marine reserve.
• Niassa Reserve: A vast, largely undeveloped wildlife reserve with elephants, buffalo and unspoilt wilderness.
• Ponta do Ouro: A coastal destination in the south, known for dolphin watching and diving opportunities.
• Fort São Sebastião: A historic fortress on Ilha de Moçambique, bearing witness to the Portuguese colonial era.

Mozambican cuisine is characterised by fresh seafood and a wide range of influences from Portuguese cooking and African traditions. It is known for its aromatic and often spicy dishes, enjoyed in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

• Seafood and spices: Prawns and lobster are highlights of the local cuisine and are often prepared with plenty of garlic, lemon and hot Piri-Piri chillies. Another favourite is grilled fish, freshly caught from the Indian Ocean and often served with coconut milk and lime.
• Chicken dishes: The national dish Frango à Zambeziana, a juicy grilled chicken marinated in coconut milk, Piri-Piri, lime and garlic, reflects the diversity of Mozambique’s flavours.
• Maize and root vegetables: Xima, a porridge made from maize or cassava, forms the basis of many meals and is served in a similar way to polenta. This simple, filling dish is often served as an accompaniment to meat and fish dishes.
• Soups and stews: Caldo de Peixe, an aromatic fish soup, is popular in coastal regions and is prepared with tomatoes, onions and green peppers.
• Markets: Mozambique’s local markets are lively places where fresh ingredients, exotic spices and seasonal produce are sold. They offer an insight into the country’s culinary culture and an opportunity to sample authentic delicacies.

• Greetings: A handshake with direct eye contact and a smile is customary. On more formal occasions, it is also common to place the left hand on the right forearm.
• Saying please and thank you: "Por favor" for "please" and "obrigado" or "obrigada" for "thank you" are essential expressions in everyday interactions.
• Clothing: Dress codes are more relaxed in urban areas, but modest clothing is particularly appropriate in rural or religious settings. Women should wear skirts or dresses that reach at least to the knee.
• Dining etiquette: Washing your hands before eating is customary, and food is often eaten directly with the hands. Guests are generally expected to wait until the host begins eating and not to refuse food that is offered.
• Tipping: A tip of around 10% is appropriate in restaurants if a service charge is not included. A small tip is also appreciated for other services such as taxi journeys or hotel services.

• Tap water in Mozambique is not safe to drink in most regions and should be avoided; travellers should use bottled water to reduce health risks.

• No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry into Mozambique. However, it is advisable to check before travelling that your standard vaccinations are up to date in accordance with the Swiss vaccination schedule and to have any necessary boosters. Additional vaccinations against hepatitis A, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox may be advisable depending on your itinerary and the duration of your trip.

• Mosquito protection is essential in Mozambique, as the country lies in a tropical region where malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue are widespread, particularly during the rainy season from October to March. 

• Medical care in Mozambique does not meet European standards and is often affected by shortages of staff, technical resources, equipment and adequate hygiene. Outside the capital, Maputo, English-speaking medical personnel are rarely available, which can make communication and treatment more difficult for visitors who do not speak Portuguese. 
• It is strongly recommended to take out comprehensive international travel health insurance before travelling, including cover for emergency repatriation.
• Visitors should also bring sufficient quantities of any important medicines they require, as availability locally may be limited.

• Before and during your trip, keep informed about the current situation through the media and remain in contact with your tour operator.
• Non-essential travel to Mozambique is discouraged. In particular, travel to Cabo Delgado Province is discouraged, with the exception of Pemba District. Travel to the districts of Memba and Erati in Nampula Province is also strongly discouraged.
• The crime rate in Mozambique, particularly in the cities of Maputo and Beira, is high, and violent crime is increasing. The risk of kidnapping, which may also affect foreign nationals, has also increased. Particular caution is therefore advised.
• Minefields dating from the war of independence remain in some border areas of Mozambique. Keep strictly to frequently used roads and, if in doubt, seek advice from local authorities or residents.

• Further information on the current security situation is available on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

As of: March 2025

• Traffic drives on the left.

• An international driving permit is mandatory and is only valid when accompanied by your national driving licence.

• The minimum age for renting a car is 21, depending on the rental company.
• Blood alcohol limit: 0.6 ‰.

• Trains: Mozambique’s railway lines are primarily designed for freight transport, but passenger services also operate between important cities such as Maputo, Beira and Nampula. Trains are often an affordable, although slower, alternative to other forms of transport.
• Buses: Buses form the backbone of public transport in Mozambique. Services range from larger intercity buses covering longer distances between cities to minibuses known as "Chapas", which are more commonly found in cities and surrounding areas. Chapas are particularly popular with the local population because they are inexpensive and flexible, although they are often overcrowded.
• Taxis and tuk-tuks: Taxis and tuk-tuks are a common form of transport in urban areas. They offer a more comfortable, although more expensive, alternative to buses and Chapas.

Public transport in Mozambique can be challenging to use, particularly because of its unpredictability and occasional unreliability. Nevertheless, it provides an essential connection within the country and remains an important transport option for many people.

• Maputo International Airport (MPM), Maputo: The main hub for international and domestic flights in Mozambique, with connections to major cities in Africa and Europe.
• Beira International Airport (BEW), Beira: Primarily serves domestic flights and some international routes, and is an important hub for central Mozambique.
• Nampula Airport (APL), Nampula: An important airport in northern Mozambique, offering both domestic flights and connections to selected international destinations.
• Tete Airport (TET), Tete: Connects the mining region with Maputo and several international destinations, mainly in Africa.

Airlines such as Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM), Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar Airways connect Maputo with cities such as Johannesburg, Nairobi and Doha.  There are no regular direct flights from Switzerland; travellers from Europe generally fly via hubs such as Lisbon, Johannesburg or Doha. 

00 41 (omit the initial zero of the Swiss number)

• Police: 119

• Ambulance: 117

• Fire brigade: 197 or 198

Embassy of Switzerland
Torres Rani
Av. Marginal 141, 11th floor
Maputo
Tel. +258 21 24 8900
Email: maputo@eda.admin.ch

• Photographing uniformed personnel, military installations and public buildings (airports, bridges, etc.) is prohibited.

• Drug laws are very strict.
• The import and export of diamonds, weapons and drugs is strictly prohibited. Valuable electronic equipment must be declared upon import.
• In Mozambique, you must be able to identify yourself at all times with your original passport or original identity card. Police checks are frequent, and failure to carry original documents may result in detention pending investigation.