Plan your Angolan trip with confidence.
Visa, currency, language, health & safety — the practical answers, in one place.
The essentials.
Angola is more accessible to independent travelers than at any point in the last fifty years. The basics below cover almost every first-time question.
- 01
Arrival
Most international flights land at Luanda's 4 de Fevereiro airport (LAD) — direct service from Lisbon, Paris, Brussels, Addis Ababa, Doha, Dubai and Johannesburg. The new airport south of the city is now the primary terminal. Allow 60–90 minutes for immigration on arrival.
- 02
Visa & Entry
Citizens of more than 90 countries can now obtain a visa on arrival or apply online for an e-visa via the SME (Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros) portal. Tourist visas are typically issued for 30 days, extendable in-country. A passport with at least 6 months' validity and one blank page is required.
- 03
Health & Safety
Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all regions outside Luanda city. Tap water is not potable; bottled water is widely available. Personal safety in Luanda and provincial capitals has improved significantly in recent years; standard urban precautions apply.
- 04
Currency
The currency is the Angolan kwanza (AOA). ATMs are available in cities and most provincial capitals. International cards (Visa, Mastercard) work at ATMs and at most hotels and restaurants in Luanda. Outside the capital, carry cash. The US dollar and the euro are widely accepted in major hotels.
- 05
Language
Portuguese is the official language and is spoken everywhere. Bantu languages — Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo, Cokwe and others — are spoken regionally. English is increasingly common in Luanda hotels and tour operators, less so elsewhere. A few Portuguese phrases will go a very long way.
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