Djibouti entry requirements for Portugal passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
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

Portuguese passport holders can get a visa on arrival at Djibouti's airport or land borders. This has been the case since 2024, and it's a straightforward process — just have your documents ready and pay the fee in cash.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa on arrival
Visa on arrival
You get a visa on arrival at Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport. Pay the fee in cash (USD or EUR) — around $60 USD for a single-entry tourist visa valid up to 30 days. Have a passport photo ready.Check eVisa portalRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of stay
Your passport needs at least one blank page for the visa sticker. Djibouti does not require 6 months of validity beyond your stay — just cover your travel dates.Required
Return or onward ticket
Required for entry
Immigration officers routinely ask for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return flight or a ticket to your next destination ready.Required
Proof of accommodation
Recommended
Hotel booking confirmation or a letter of invitation from a host in Djibouti. Officers rarely ask, but having it ready avoids delays.Recommended
Proof of funds
Recommended
Carry enough cash (USD or EUR) for your stay — around $100 per day is a safe benchmark. ATMs are scarce outside the capital.Recommended
Cash only — no cards accepted
The visa on arrival fee must be paid in cash (USD or EUR). There is no ATM at the immigration counter. Bring small bills.
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you land in Djibouti, not from your departure date. Check before you fly.

What happens at the border

1
Land at Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport
After deplaning, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' or 'Immigration'. There's a dedicated counter before passport control.
2
Fill out the visa application form
A short form asking for your name, passport details, flight info, and hotel address. Pick up a pen from the counter.
3
Submit your documents and pay the fee
Hand over your passport, completed form, and cash (USD or EUR). The officer will process your visa — usually takes 5–10 minutes.
4
Receive your visa sticker and proceed to passport control
The visa is a sticker placed in your passport. Then go to the passport control queue, get stamped, and you're in.
Download Djibouti Entry Checklist
PDF · Portugal Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days
Validity3 months from issue
CostFree (via embassy)

Apply at Djibouti embassy in advance; free for Portuguese citizens.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry
Validity6 months
CostFree (via embassy)

Available upon request; allows multiple visits within validity.

Other fees
ServiceCost
Visa on Arrival (single entry)Visa on arrival is issued free of charge for Portuguese passport holders for stays up to 30 days.Free (for up to 30 days)
Visa on Arrival (extension)Extensions are not permitted for visa-on-arrival entries.Not available
Overstay fineOverstay penalties are not publicly specified; avoid overstaying to prevent fines or bans.Unknown

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete travel documents20%

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 Djibouti

No transit visa needed

Portuguese passport holders transiting through Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport do not require a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration.

Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsDjibouti-Ambouli International Airport (JIB)

Health & vaccines for Djibouti

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk

Present throughout the country; prophylaxis recommended.

DengueModerate risk

Mosquito-borne; use repellent and mosquito nets.

Food and waterborne diseasesHigh risk

Common due to poor sanitation; 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

Djibouti City
Direction Générale de la Documentation et de l'Immigration
Avenue de la République, Djibouti
Mon–Thu 07:30–15:30, Fri 07:30–12:00

Main immigration office for visa-related inquiries; bring passport and supporting documents.

Practical information for PT travellers

Country basics
CapitalDjibouti
LanguageArabic, French
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 3 months.
Money
CurrencyDjiboutian franc (DJF)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 177.72 DJF
updated May 19
Time zone
Local timeUTC+3
vs New York+8h
vs Los Angeles+11h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,ETypes C and E, with two round pins and 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; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Police17
Medical19
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

The fee is typically 60–90 USD (or equivalent in EUR). Bring cash in small denominations — change can be hard to come by at the counter.
No, the visa on arrival is not extendable. If you need to stay longer, you'd have to leave and re-enter, or apply for a different visa type before travel.
Yellow fever vaccination is required if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Otherwise, it's not mandatory. Check with your doctor.
Yes, the visa on arrival is available at all official entry points, including the land border with Ethiopia (at Loyada). The process is the same — cash only.
Immigration may deny you entry. Always have a confirmed onward ticket — even if it's a cheap bus to Ethiopia. A screenshot on your phone is fine.
No, Djibouti does not offer an e-visa for Portuguese citizens. The visa on arrival is the standard method.
The visa on arrival is typically valid for up to 30 days. The exact duration is at the discretion of the immigration officer, but 30 days is standard.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.