Benin entry requirements for Luxembourg passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 19, 2026·View sources
eVisa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Luxembourg passport holders need an eVisa to enter Benin. The process is entirely online — you apply before you travel and receive an approval by email. As of 2026, the eVisa is valid for tourism and short business visits.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Apply before departure | Apply for your Benin eVisa at the official portal before you fly. The application takes about 15 minutes and you'll receive the approved visa by email within 3 business days. Print the approval letter and carry it with your passport — immigration at Cotonou Airport will check it before stamping you in.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport Must cover entire stay | Your Luxembourg passport needs at least one blank page for the entry stamp. Benin does not enforce a 6-month validity rule — your passport just needs to be valid for the duration of your trip. Airlines at Luxembourg Airport may still ask for 6 months validity, so check with your carrier before check-in. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure | Immigration officers at Cotonou Airport routinely ask for a printed or digital onward ticket showing you leave Benin within your eVisa validity. Have your return flight or a bus/train booking to a neighboring country ready on your phone or printed out. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a printed or digital hotel confirmation for your first few nights in Benin. If staying with friends or family, have their contact details and address written down — immigration may call them to verify. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Cash or card for your stay | Have at least 200,000 CFA francs (~€300) in cash or a working debit/credit card to show you can cover your expenses. ATMs in Cotonou dispense CFA francs, but bring euros or US dollars as backup — exchange rates at the airport are fair. | Recommended |
Yellow fever vaccine is mandatory
You must show your yellow fever vaccination certificate (yellow card) at immigration. Without it, you may be denied entry or forced to get vaccinated at the airport. Get the shot at least 10 days before you fly.
Local currency and cash
Benin uses the West African CFA franc (XOF). Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and some restaurants in Cotonou, but cash is king everywhere else. Bring euros or US dollars to exchange — ATMs are limited outside the capital.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for the eVisa online
Go to evisa.gouv.bj/en/ and fill out the application. You'll need your passport details, travel dates, and accommodation info. Pay the fee with a credit card. Processing usually takes 3–5 business days.
2
Receive and save your eVisa
You'll get an approval email with a PDF. Print a copy and save it on your phone. Immigration at Cotonou Airport will ask to see it.
3
Arrive at Cotonou Airport
After landing, follow signs to immigration. Have your passport, eVisa, and return ticket ready. The officer will stamp you in. The whole process usually takes 15–30 minutes.
4
Collect your luggage and exit
After immigration, pick up your bags from the carousel. There's a customs check but it's usually quick for tourists. Then you're free to leave the airport.
Download Benin Entry Checklist
PDF · Luxembourg Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 19, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€50 (~$55 USD)
Standard option for short visits.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity6 months from issue
Cost€75 (~$82 USD)
Ideal for frequent travellers.
Long-stay visa (visiteur)
Max stay90 days, extendable
Validity1 year
Cost€150 (~$165 USD)
Requires proof of sufficient funds and accommodation.
work visa
Carte de Séjour pour Travailleur
1 year, renewable
~€200 (~$220 USD) application fee
For those with a job offer in Benin. Requires employer sponsorship and work contract.
student visa
Carte de Séjour pour Étudiant
1 year, renewable annually
~€100 (~$110 USD) application fee
For enrolled students at a recognized Beninese institution. Requires proof of enrollment and funds.
investor visa
Carte de Séjour pour Investisseur
2 years, renewable
~€500 (~$550 USD) application fee
For investors with a minimum investment of €50,000 in a local business. Requires business plan and proof of funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| eVisa (single entry)Standard fee for Luxembourg passport holders. | €50 (~$55 USD) |
| eVisa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity. | €75 (~$82 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPayable at immigration upon departure. | €5 (~$5.50 USD) per day, max €150 (~$165 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete eVisa application20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Benin
No transit visa needed
Luxembourg passport holders transiting through Benin do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- No visa needed for airside transit up to 24 hours.
Transit hubsCadjehoun Airport (COO), Cotonou
Health & vaccines for Benin
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired for all travellers arriving from endemic countries or if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)RecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country; prophylaxis recommended.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Occurs in urban and rural areas; mosquito avoidance advised.
Food and waterborne diseasesHigh risk
Common due to contaminated food/water; drink bottled water and eat well-cooked food.
Malaria risk: high
Malaria is present year-round in all regions. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline) is strongly recommended.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Cotonou
Direction Générale de la Police Nationale – Service Immigration
Boulevard de la Marina, Cotonou
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00
Main office for visa extensions and permits.
Porto-Novo
Commissariat Central – Bureau des Étrangers
Avenue de la République, Porto-Novo
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30
Handles extensions and residency matters.
Practical information for LU travellers
Country basics
CapitalPorto-Novo
LanguageFrench
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 90 days; an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyWest African CFA franc (XOF)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 563.11 XOF
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h
vs Los Angeles+9h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,EType C (two round pins) and Type E (two round pins with a hole for the male grounding pin)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; stick to bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
Usually 3–5 business days. Apply at least a week before your trip to be safe. You'll receive the approval by email.
The official fee is around €50–€70 depending on the type and duration. Check the exact amount on evisa.gouv.bj/en/ when you apply.
The eVisa is not extendable. If you need to stay longer, you'll have to leave and re-enter, or apply for a different visa type before your current one expires.
Yes, the yellow fever vaccine is required for entry. You'll need to show the yellow card (International Certificate of Vaccination) at immigration. Get it at least 10 days before travel.
Rejections are rare for Luxembourg passport holders, but if it happens, you'll get a reason. You can reapply with corrected information or contact the Benin embassy in Brussels for help.
No, the eVisa is the standard option for Luxembourg passport holders. There is no visa on arrival for tourism. Apply online before you travel.
Benin is generally safe for tourists, especially in Cotonou and popular destinations like Ganvié and Pendjari National Park. Petty crime can happen in crowded areas, so keep valuables secure. Avoid travel near the northern border with Burkina Faso and Niger due to security risks.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 19, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.