Living in Mauritania
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Mauritania, including guidance on security, healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Mauritania. Read about how our embassy in Mauritania can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Mauritanian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date:
- sign-up to receive travel advice email alerts
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Before you go
See our travel advice for Mauritania for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Mauritania in our travel advice.
All foreigners wishing to visit Mauritania must apply for an entry visa. No visas are issued from Mauritanian embassies or consulates abroad. The application is made upon arrival at Nouakchott International Airport or at the land border immigration checkpoints.
Currently, only regular visas are offered: single entry and 30 days expiry.
Long-term visas are sometimes issued, depending on political context. They are valid for one year, and they are eligible for renewal after this initial period.
Anyone planning to relocate to Mauritania to work will need to obtain a work visa before starting in their new position. Foreign workers should also have a residence card.
You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
See also information about tax residence in Mauritania.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Mauritania.
Check the Mauritania travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Mauritania
Mauritania and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements. You should buy comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you enter the country.
NOTE: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
If you are moving abroad on a permanent basis, you will no longer be entitled to medical treatment in the UK under normal NHS rules. This is because the NHS is a residence-based healthcare system. The NHS has information for people moving abroad.
Medical facilities in Mauritania, in comparison to the UK, are of a much lower standard, particularly in rural areas. The National Hospital in Nouakchott (Hôpital Nationale de Nouakchott) provides urgent and emergency care. Hospital staff can direct you to other public healthcare facilities as needed. As a foreign national, you may be asked to pay for any treatment or consultations. You should liaise with your insurance provider about this.
There are a number of private health clinics in Nouakchott which offer better facilities than the public hospitals, but these are also limited in the treatments that they can offer. All local physicians are required to work at government-sponsored hospitals during the morning hours and are then permitted to work at a clinic of their choosing during the evening. You should liaise with your insurance provider before seeking any treatment to ensure you will be covered for healthcare at a private facility in Mauritania.
Please read list of medical facilities in Mauritania.
In serious cases, doctors will often advise that a patient be medically evacuated to another country with better medical facilities. The cost of an air ambulance is very high.
You must register for healthcare as a resident in Mauritania. If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for Mauritania.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication, you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Mauritania. Certain medicines may not be available in Mauritania (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Mauritania to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in Mauritania
If you are planning to move to Mauritania to work, you will need a visa, work permit and residence card.
Work permits are required for foreign nationals before starting to work in Mauritania and only under certain conditions will they be granted. These include:
- the role cannot be filled by a Mauritanian worker
- you have the qualifications required for the role
- you have not violated Mauritanian foreign labour regulations in the past 5 years
It shall be issued to any worker who is a national of a state that has signed agreements, treaties, or conventions with Mauritania in this manner.
There are 3 types of work permits:
- WP A - for 1 year, renewable
- WP B - for a maximum of 4 years
- WP C - for expatriates that stay more than 10 years in Mauritania
The employer/work permit applicant must be a locally registered entity (locally incorporated company, locally registered branch, or locally resident/registered individual taxpayer).
An online application must be sent to the employment director by the employer company, with the following documents:
- employer’s registration documents
- professional references
- 2 photos of the employee
- employee’s curriculum vitae (in French or Arabic)
- employee’s passport copy (with at least 1 year still valid)
Foreign workers should also have a residence card/permit. To obtain one you will need to provide:
- a National Identity Card or passport
- a valid certificate of vaccination
- a recent medical certificate
- a criminal record check
- a tax stamp
- for those being employed, a contract of formal work
- for those who are self-employed, an authorisation issued by the Ministry of Labour
Foreign workers should also take care to abide by local laws in Mauritania. Islam is the only religion that is recognised in Mauritania, and the associated laws and beliefs encourage dress and behaviour that is relatively conservative. Employees should keep this behaviour in mind while staying in Mauritania with a work permit.
Studying in Mauritania
If you plan to study in Mauritania, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Mauritania to check what fees you have to pay.
A student visa in Mauritania allows a foreign national the opportunity to immigrate to Mauritania on a temporary basis in order to undertake a course of study in the country. A long-stay visa allows the holder to stay for a one-year renewable period during which time the holder continues to study in Mauritania.
For people travelling to Mauritania with their children, there are a few international schools available, most of which are in Nouakchott.
Tax
There is no double taxation agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritania; therefore, you may be taxed on your UK income by Mauritania and by the UK.
Please see: list of lawyers in Mauritania
Read guidance on:
- tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
- tax on your UK income if you live abroad
- tax if you get a pension and live abroad
Paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you are abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Pensions
Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you retire in Mauritania, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
Currency
The local currency is the Ouguiyas (MRU).
Exchanging Money
Currency can be exchanged at banks and in major hotels. Also available are the money changers found in local markets (including Marché capital in Nouakchott and Marché Khairan in Nouadhibou).
Banking in Mauritania
It is quite easy for a foreign resident to open a bank account in Mauritania. Processes are usually quite straightforward but differ depending on which bank, but shall include a proof of address and a copy of the residency card. Bank accounts may be held in local currency (Ouguiyas – MRU) as well as in euros and USD.
Transferring money abroad may be challenging, as the Mauritanian Central Bank imposes strict conditions on foreign currency.
ATMs and Credit Cards
Mauritania is a cash-based society and credit cards are not widely accepted. There are some ATMs, although withdrawal thresholds are usually very low (200 euros).
Accommodation and buying property
There are no restrictions for a foreigner to buy real estate property in Mauritania. You should get professional advice before buying any property.
Mauritania may make concessions for national and foreign investors buying property for professional purposes. Investors must apply to the Ministry of Finance through the land registry agency (Direction des Domaines). The procedure for purchasing, renting or selling real estate property is the same for everyone.
Investors should be fully aware of the history of the land that they are purchasing or renting and should verify that the local partner has the proper authority to sell or rent large tracts of land before agreeing to any deals.
The most secure way of payment is transferring money through the bank – you will need to open a convertible account. Your appointed notary can advise you on this.
Driving in Mauritania
Read the guidance on driving abroad.
See guidance for travelling by road in Mauritania.
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see taking a vehicle out of the UK.
An International Driver’s Permit (IDP) and your valid UK driver’s licence are both required to drive in Mauritania. Driving without a licence could result in fines. If you are asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (eg the DVLA).
Registration and insurance are also required but are available from car rental companies.
See taking a vehicle out of the UK.
Used vehicles of more than 8 years old are not allowed in the country. Pre-shipment inspection is required on used vehicles imported into the country.
The required documents to register your vehicle are:
- certificate of title and registration
- purchase/commercial invoice
- inspection certificate delivered by the Société Generale de Surveillance
- bill of Lading or certificate of origin
- insurance certificate
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Mauritania, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
Voting in Mauritania is limited to Mauritanian citizens.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Mauritania, you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
Deaths
If someone dies in Mauritania, read our guidance on what to do if someone dies abroad.
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Pets
See travelling with pets.
If you are travelling to a non-EU country, you’ll need to get an export health certificate (EHC). You will also need to complete an export application form (EXA) if you are in England, Scotland or Wales. An EHC checks that your pet meets the health requirements of the country you are travelling to. You must nominate an official vet who will be sent the EHC. They will check your pet has met the correct health and identification requirements before you travel.
Emergencies
Dial the Mauritanian emergency numbers:
- Police and to report a missing child 117
- Fire brigade 118
- Gendarmerie 116
- General Assembly of Road Safety 119
Read the information for survivors of rape and sexual assault in Mauritania if you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault. See also guidance for victim of rape and assault abroad.
If you are a victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Nouakchott.
Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk .
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
This information is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the embassy by the relevant local authorities and may be subject to change at any time with little or no notice. The FCDO and the British Embassy will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. British citizens wishing to obtain any further information must contact the relevant local authority.