Living in Mali
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-18)

Information for British citizens moving to or living in Mali, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Mali. Read about how our British Embassy in Mali (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-bamako) can help. This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Malian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/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 (https://www.gov.uk/moving-or-retiring-abroad).

To stay up to date follow the British Embassy Bamako on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ukinmali) and X (http://www.twitter.com/uk_mali).

Before you go

See our travel advice for Mali (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mali) for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.

Yellow Fever

In order to enter Mali, you are required to show proof of vaccination against yellow fever.

Coronavirus

Follow the advice of the Malian government and your local authority. You should also read the Mali travel advice. (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mali)

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Mali (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mali/entry-requirements) in our travel advice.

You can also contact the Embassy of Mali in Brussels (https://embassies.info/MalianEmbassyinBrusselsBelgium) for guidance on visa and residency requirements, or for information about sponsoring visas for family members/dependants.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Mali (https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports).

Check the Mali travel advice (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mali) for passport validity requirements.

Healthcare in Mali

There are no reciprocal healthcare agreements between Mali and the UK.

Please check the travel advice for Mali on healthcare (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mali/health).

You can register for healthcare as a resident in Mali. There is a social security system covering employees in the public and private sectors. It includes cover for sickness and maternity, accidents at work and occupational diseases, old-age, disability, death and survivors and family benefits.

The self-employed may voluntarily join the old-age, sickness and family benefits insurance schemes. Similarly, a law has established a compulsory health insurance scheme (AMO). Certain responsibilities (certificates of entitlement, payment of healthcare providers, collection of contributions) have been delegated to the Institut National de Prévoyance Sociale (INPS) for salaried and non-salaried workers, and pensioners under private schemes.

If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for Mali. See Mali healthcare providers (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mali-list-of-medical-facilities).

NOTE: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.

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 Mali. Certain medicines may not be available in Mali (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 Mali to find out about any alternative medication.

Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines (https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/medicines/can-i-take-my-medicine-abroad/).

Working in Mali

If you are planning to move to Mali to work, you will need the appropriate visa.

British nationals cannot travel to Mali without a visa. To enter Mali, you must be in possession of:
- an entry visa
- documents relating to the purpose and conditions of the stay and, if necessary, evidence of financial means and guarantees of repatriation
- documents/qualifications required for certain professions, if you intend to work in that profession in Mali
- any employment contract, which must include curriculum vitae and diplomas
You should contact the Embassy of Mali in Brussels (https://embassies.info/MalianEmbassyinBrusselsBelgium) for further guidance on working in Mali.

Studying in Mali

If you plan to study in Mali, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. You can contact the nearest Malian Embassy or Consulate for guidance.

Contact the relevant higher education provider in Mali to check what fees you have to pay.

Tax

The UK does not have a double taxation treaty with Mali.

In this case, British nationals are subject to double taxation and receive no tax relief. The only tax and customs exemptions are for diplomatic missions, consular posts, international organisations and their staff.

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Mali. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Mali (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mali-list-of-lawyers).

Read guidance on:

tax if you leave the UK to live abroad (https://www.gov.uk/tax-right-retire-abroad-return-to-uk)

tax on your UK income if you live abroad (https://www.gov.uk/tax-uk-income-live-abroad/taxed-twice)

tax if you get a pension and live abroad (https://www.gov.uk/tax-on-pension/tax-when-you-live-abroad)

paying National Insurance while abroad (https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-if-you-go-abroad) to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances

Benefits

Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad (https://www.gov.uk/uk-benefits-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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/state-pension-if-youve-lived-in-australia-canada-or-new-zealand) and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in Mali, you can claim your UK State Pension (https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad) or new UK State Pension (https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension). Contact the International Pension Centre (https://www.gov.uk/international-pension-centre) for further information.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service (https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad/report-a-change-in-your-circumstances), you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Money and banking

Foreigners resident in Mali can open a bank account with a minimum deposit of 50,000 FCFA. It is a current account into which you can deposit your funds and make transactions.

The conditions for opening a bank account in Mali depend on the individual bank. For some banks, to open a current account for employees you need:
- a certificate of employment, employment contract or appointment decree, or decree of integration into the civil service
- a valid identity document (passport, identity card, consular card etc.)
- proof of address (utility bill, lease contract or residence certificate)
For an account for someone unemployed, you need:
- a passport photo
- a valid identity document (passport, identity card, Nina card etc.)
- proof of address if required (utility bill, lease contract or residence certificate)
- minimum deposit of 50.000 FCFA
Accommodation and buying property

See buying a property abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-buying-property-abroad).

There are no local restrictions on foreign nationals wishing to rent or buy property in Mali.

Driving in Mali

Read the guidance on what actions you must do to drive legally in Mali (https://demarchesadministratives.gouv.ml/demarches/afficher/Permis-de-conduire-obtention). You can also read our guidance on:
- what you need to driving abroad (https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad)
- guidance for travelling by road in Mali (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/country/safety-and-security#road-travel)
- guidance for taking vehicles out of UK (https://www.gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-uk) if you wish to take your vehicle with you
You need an international driving licence to be allowed to drive in Mali. If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (DVLA).

A local driving licence is issued by the Regional Transport Directorate at the Driving Licence Section, or at the transport subdivision at the Cercle level. Read more information on the procedure for obtaining a local driving licence (https://demarchesadministratives.gouv.ml/demarches/afficher/Permis-de-conduire-obtention).

The International Driving Permit is regulated by the United Nations and certifies that you hold a valid driving licence in your home country. You can apply for an International Driving Permit by filling in the International Drivers Association form (https://internationaldriversassociation.com/fr/pci-mali/)

Disabled drivers

If you have a UK Blue Badge (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/blue-badge-scheme) and live in Mali, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

In Mali, there is a Certificate of Motor Disability (https://demarchesadministratives.gouv.ml/demarches/afficher/Certificat-d-handicap-moteur-demande), which is a medical document that proves that the holder has a disability. This document confers rights and social benefits to its holder.

Voting

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

check if you are able to vote (https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/overseas-voters)

register as an overseas voter (https://www.gov.uk/voting-when-abroad)

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership

Births

If your child is born in Mali you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate (https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth).

If your child has British nationality (https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-british-parent), you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport (https://www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport/first-child-passport).

Deaths

If someone dies in Mali read our guidance on:
- what to do if someone dies abroad (https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/death-abroad)
- bereavement guidance for Mali (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mali-bereavement-death-abroad/mali-bereavement-information)
If you decide to hold a funeral or cremation in Mali, you can refer to the list of English-speaking funeral directors in Mali (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/602301/Mali_Local_Services_Lists-_funeral_directors_2017.pdf).

Marriage and civil partnership

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad (https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad).

Pets

You need a health certificate from the UK dated within 3 days of entering Mali. This document must show that the animal is free of infectious diseases. Dogs will also need a certificate showing a recent rabies vaccination.

Emergencies

The primary emergency number in Mali is 112 (for general emergencies). Other emergency numbers include 17 (police), 15 (ambulance), and 18 (fire). It’s important to note that emergency services availability and responsiveness can vary particularly in rural areas.

If you are a victim of rape or sexual assault in Mali, read the guidance for victim of rape and sexual assault abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/victim-of-rape-and-sexual-assault-abroad).

If you are a victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Bamako (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-bamako).

Read the guidance on international parental child abduction (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-parental-child-abduction) if your child may be at risk of this.

Returning to the UK

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/returning-to-the-uk) which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.