Madagascar entry requirements for Sweden passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 15, 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
Swedish passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Madagascar. No need to apply in advance — just show up at the airport with your documents and pay the fee. This has been the standard procedure for Swedish travellers since at least 2024.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Apply before travel | Apply for your Madagascar eVisa at visa.madagascar.travel before departure. The online form takes about 10 minutes — you'll need a passport scan and a digital photo. Approval usually comes within 72 hours, and you can enter with the PDF on your phone.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for entire stay | Your Swedish passport needs to be valid for the full duration of your stay in Madagascar. Airlines at Arlanda and Gardermoen will check this before boarding — no 6-month rule applies here. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration at Ivato Airport in Antananarivo will ask for proof of a return or onward flight. Have your booking confirmation ready — they check this at the counter before stamping your passport. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended to carry | Hotel booking confirmations or a letter of invitation from your host in Madagascar can speed things up at immigration. Officers rarely ask, but having it ready avoids delays. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended to carry | Carry a bank statement or credit card showing you can cover your stay — around 200,000 MGA (roughly $45 USD) per day is a safe benchmark. Immigration rarely checks, but budget airlines might ask at check-in. | Recommended |
Cash only for visa on arrival
The visa fee must be paid in cash (euros or US dollars). No credit cards, no mobile payments. Have the exact amount ready — change may not be available. ATMs are not at the visa counter.
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you land in Madagascar, not from your departure date. If it expires sooner, you'll be denied entry — no exceptions.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Ivato International Airport (TNR)
After landing, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' or 'Immigration'. There's a dedicated counter before passport control. Queue up, present your passport, return ticket, and accommodation booking.
2
Pay the visa fee
Pay the fee in cash (euros or US dollars). Keep the receipt — you may need it later. The officer will issue a visa sticker and affix it to your passport.
3
Proceed to passport control
After getting the visa, go to the main passport control line. The officer will stamp you in. Keep your passport handy — you'll need it again when leaving.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After passport control, head to baggage claim, then customs. Usually straightforward — just walk through unless you have something to declare.
Download Madagascar Entry Checklist
PDF · Sweden Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 15, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry, pre-arranged)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€50 (approx. $55 USD)
Apply at Madagascar embassy before travel; allows longer stay than VoA.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost€100 (approx. $110 USD)
For frequent travellers; must be arranged in advance.
Long-stay visa (visiteur)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost€200 (approx. $220 USD)
Requires proof of sufficient funds and accommodation; renewable.
retirement visa
Carte de Séjour Retraité (Retirement Residence Permit)
1 year, renewable annually
~€200 (approx. $220 USD) per year
For retirees aged 50+ with proof of pension or sufficient funds (approx. €500/month). Allows long-term stay without work rights.
investor visa
Investor Residence Permit
2 years, renewable
~€1,000 (approx. $1,100 USD) plus investment
For individuals investing at least $100,000 in Madagascar (business, real estate, or government bonds). Includes family members.
work visa
Travail (Work Permit) + Carte de Séjour
1 year, renewable
~€300 (approx. $330 USD) plus employer fees
Requires a job offer from a Malagasy company and government approval. Employer handles most paperwork.
student visa
Étudiant (Student Visa)
1 year, renewable annually
~€100 (approx. $110 USD) per year
For enrolled students at recognized Malagasy institutions. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival (single entry, up to 30 days)Payable in cash (EUR, USD, or MGA) at the airport upon arrival. | €35 (approx. $38 USD) |
| Visa on Arrival (single entry, up to 60 days)Available at major entry points; longer stay requires justification. | €40 (approx. $44 USD) |
| Overstay finePayable at immigration office before departure; can be costly for long overstays. | 10,000 MGA per day (approx. $2.50 USD), no cap |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete 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 Madagascar
No transit visa needed
Sweden passport holders transiting through Madagascar do not need a visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. However, if you need to enter the country (e.g., to change airports or overnight), a visa on arrival is required.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsIvato International Airport (TNR), Antananarivo · Fascene Airport (NOS), Nosy Be
Health & vaccines for Madagascar
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission; certificate must be presented.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)RecommendedRabiesConsiderCholeraConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country, especially in coastal and lowland areas; prophylaxis recommended.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Outbreaks occur, especially in urban areas; mosquito avoidance is key.
SchistosomiasisModerate risk
Risk from swimming in freshwater lakes and rivers; avoid contact with untreated water.
Malaria risk: high
Malaria is high throughout Madagascar, including urban areas. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline) is strongly recommended. Use DEET repellent and sleep under mosquito nets.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Antananarivo
Direction Générale de l'Immigration et de l'Émigration
Anosy, Antananarivo 101
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and long-stay permits; bring passport, photos, and fee.
Nosy Be
Immigration Office Nosy Be
Hell-Ville, Nosy Be
Mon–Fri 08:30–15:30
Handles extensions for tourists on the island; less crowded than Antananarivo.
Practical information for SE travellers
Country basics
CapitalAntananarivo
LanguageMalagasy, French
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyMalagasy ariary (MGA)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 4,182.09 MGA
Time zone
Local timeUTC+3
vs New York+8h
vs Los Angeles+11h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,ETypes C and E, same as in Europe.
⚠ 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
Frequently asked questions
The standard 30-day tourist visa costs about €35–€40 (or equivalent in US dollars). You pay in cash at the airport. Longer stays (60 or 90 days) cost more — around €50–€70. Check the official rates before you travel, as they can change.
Yes, you can extend your visa at the immigration office in Antananarivo (or other major cities). Extensions are usually granted for 30 days at a time, costing around €30–€40. Start the process at least a week before your current visa expires.
Only if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. Sweden is not a risk country, so you won't need it if you fly directly from Europe. But if you've been in sub-Saharan Africa or South America recently, you'll need the vaccine certificate.
You'll likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at immigration. The visa on arrival requires proof of onward travel. Book a refundable ticket or a cheap onward flight to a neighbouring country if you're unsure of your plans.
Yes, the visa on arrival is available at Ivato International Airport (Antananarivo) and at major land borders. But the process is smoothest at the airport. At land borders, have cash ready and expect a slower process.
Yes, but keep it in a secure place like a money belt or hidden pouch. ATMs are available in Antananarivo but not at the airport visa counter. Bring euros or US dollars — they're widely accepted for the fee.
No, there's no online pre-registration for the visa on arrival. Just show up with your documents. You'll fill out a simple arrival card on the plane or at the airport.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 15, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.