Macau travel guide
About Macau
Slipping more and more comfortably into its reputation as the “Vegas of the East,” Macau plays host to a dizzying array of large-scale casino resorts. Famously the world’s biggest gambling hub, it is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People’s Republic of China – the other being neighbouring Hong Kong.
Macau showcases many of the same brands as its Nevada counterpart: MGM, Wynn and Sands are all in town, while its flagship Venetian Resort – complete with canals and mock Italianate plazas – is currently the largest casino on the planet.
But there’s more to the destination than poker tables and betting halls. When Macau's historic centre was added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list in 2005, it underlined the strategic and cultural importance which the territory has had over the centuries.
Portuguese colonists arrived in the mid-16th century and developed Macau into a major regional trading post. They held onto it long after it had been eclipsed by Hong Kong as a magnet for merchants; longer than they held onto Goa or Brazil.
Overlooking the South China Sea, Macau consists of a peninsula and two small islands, Taipa and Coloane. The three areas have been artificially joined by land reclamation, much of which is covered in casinos. Mercifully, it is possible to escape the neon lights and gambling dens in Macau’s urban parks and historic centre, where colonial Portuguese architecture sits among the bustle of a modern Asian city.
The street stalls and restaurants of the old town are also a fine introduction to local food, which encompasses traditional Chinese and Portuguese dishes alongside Goan, Brazilian and African influences.
Key facts
28.2 sq km (10.9 sq miles).
601,969 (CIA estimate July 2017).
21,346.4 per sq km.
Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.
President of China Xi Jinping since 2013.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng since 2019.
Travel Advice
This travel advice covers the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). For mainland China, see travel advice for China
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Macao’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance on foreign travel insurance.
The typhoon season in Macao normally runs from April to October. You should monitor the progress of approaching storms and follow the advice of the local authorities. See Natural disasters
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Macao, attacks cannot be ruled out. See Terrorism
Crime levels are low, but you should take sensible precautions against pick pockets and other street crime. See Crime
Macao, like other parts of China, does not recognise dual nationality. If you have both British and Chinese nationality you may be treated as a Chinese citizen by local authorities, even if you enter Macao on your British passport. If this is the case, the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong may not be able to offer you consular assistance. The FCDO has published guidance on nationality in China. If you have formally renounced Chinese citizenship, you should carry evidence that you have done so. See Local laws and customs
In 2018, 58,303 British nationals visited Macao. Most visits are trouble-free.
Consular support may be limited in Macao. However, the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong can provide consular support to British nationals.
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
You can sign up for email alerts to be notified when this travel advice is updated.
Coronavirus travel health
Check the latest information on risk from COVID-19 for Macao on the TravelHealthPro website
See the TravelHealthPro website for further advice on travel abroad and reducing spread of respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Entry and borders
See Entry requirements to find out what you will need to do when you arrive in Macao.
More information and detailed guidance on entering Macao for International Travellers is available on the Macao SAR Government webpage.
Be prepared for your plans to change
No travel is risk-free during COVID-19. Countries may further restrict travel or bring in new rules at short notice, for example due to a new COVID-19 variant. Check with your travel company or airline for any transport changes which may delay your journey home.
If you test positive for COVID-19, the Macao Government advises you to rest at home and avoid crowded places and mass gatherings.
Plan ahead and make sure you:
- can access money
- understand what your insurance will cover
- can make arrangements to extend your stay and be away for longer than planned
International travel
The Macao Government has imposed a limit on the quantity of certain COVID-19 related medicines and supplies you can carry when leaving Macao. You should carry no more than: five boxes or bottles of analgesics and antipyretics, cold and flu medicines, antitussives and expectorants, and five boxes of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests.
If you are able to provide a prescription, you are exempt from these requirements.
Public spaces and services
You are no longer required to wear a mask in outdoor public places.
You may need to wear a mask at indoor venues at the discretion of individual venue management.
You are required to wear a mask in healthcare facilities, including care homes for the elderly; on public transport.
For up-to-date advice on restrictions, please visit the Macao SAR Government webpage.
Healthcare in Macao
For contact details of doctors, visit our list of healthcare providers.
Your emotional and mental wellbeing is important. Read guidance on how to look after your mental wellbeing and mental health.
View Health for further details on healthcare in Macao.
See also the guidance on healthcare if you’re waiting to return to the UK.
Finance
For information on financial support you can access whilst abroad, visit our financial assistance guidance.
Further information
If you need urgent consular assistance, contact your nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate. All telephone numbers are available 24/7.
The Macao government website provides further information.
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Macao, attacks can’t be ruled out. You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times.
Crime
Crime levels are low but pick pocketing and other street crime can occur in some areas. Take extra care of passports, credit cards and money in crowded areas. Be careful of your belongings when checking out of hotels. Take extra care when visiting casinos late at night.
The Tourism Crisis Management Office (853) 2833 3000 (24 hour hotline) are able to provide general assistance in English, Cantonese, Putonghua and Portuguese to tourists in Macao.
The Law on Safeguarding National Security (NSL) entered into force in Macao in March 2009 and was further amended in May 2023. This law includes offences of treason, secession and subversion against the Central Government, as well as “preparatory acts” leading to any of the three acts. Under the NSL, an individual may face criminal proceedings if they engage in activities that are deemed to endanger national security in Macao. This could apply to activities both inside and outside of the Macao SAR, which in practice could include activities conducted in the UK.
The Legal Regime for the Interception and Protection of Communications (enabling the judicial police in Macao to collect evidence via telecommunications and social media) came into effect in August 2022.
Do not become involved with drugs of any kind. Possession of drugs can lead to imprisonment.
Do not take photographs of military installations.
Take care when visiting Macao to stay in licensed accommodation. You risk penalties of up to MOP3000 (£300) if you stay in illegal accommodation.
The Macao authorities consider the taxi service Uber to be illegal, and the Macao Police has recently been taking enforcement action against both the drivers and passengers of unlicensed taxi services, including Uber.
For more information on visiting Macao, see the Macao government tourist information website for more details.
This page has information on travelling to Macao.
This page reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Macao set and enforce entry rules. If you’re unsure how Macao’s entry requirements apply to you, contact its UK embassy, high commission or consulate.
All travellers
For information on visa requirements for entry to Macao and mainland China, see Visas section.
For up-to-date advice on entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the Macao SAR Government webpage.
Macao does not require travellers to provide a negative Covid-19 test result to enter the SAR, regardless of your vaccination status.
If you wish to travel to Mainland China within seven days of your arrival into Macao and arrived from most overseas countries (including the UK), you must provide a negative nucleic acid test result for COVID-19 taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure. Further details can be found on the Macao SAR Government webpage.
If you’re fully vaccinated
Inbound travellers do not need to provide proof of vaccination before boarding transport to Macao.
If you’re not fully vaccinated
Inbound travellers do not need to provide proof of vaccination before boarding transport to Macao.
Children and young people
Regardless of age, all travellers do not need to present proof of vaccination before boarding transport to Macao. For all other requirements, children aged 17 and under are subject to the same rules as adult travellers.
Transiting Macao
Macao’s mainland border crossing points have resumed normal service. Crossings between Hong Kong and Macao, including the ferry services and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, are in operation.
Transit services have resumed at Macao International Airport.
Exemptions
Application procedures for Foreign Nationals seeking exemption from entry requirements can be found on the Macao Government Tourism Office’s website.
Check your passport and travel documents before you travel
Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 90 days beyond your stay in Macao.
Visas
Although Macao is now part of the People’s Republic of China, it remains a Special Administrative Region with its own immigration controls. You can stay in Macao for up to 6 months without a visa. If you intend to work in Macao you must get a visa before arrival. Contact the Macao Immigration Department.
Visas for mainland China
If you intend to travel to mainland China via Macao using a British passport you must get a Chinese visa before arrival at the border. Failure to do so could result in a fine and possible detention by the mainland Chinese authorities. If you’re entering Macao via mainland China and leaving again via the mainland you’ll need to have a double or multiple entry visa to re-enter mainland China.
There are reports of greater scrutiny from mainland authorities at border crossings into Macao at this time, including checks on travellers’ electronic devices.
If you have a health condition, or you are pregnant, you may need specialist healthcare abroad. Check whether your destination country can provide the healthcare you may need and ensure you have appropriate travel insurance for unexpected medical evacuation or local treatment.
See the Coronavirus travel health and Healthcare sections in the Coronavirus page for COVID-19 health information.
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.
General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.
While travel can be enjoyable, it can sometimes be challenging. There are clear links between mental and physical health, so looking after yourself during travel and when abroad is important. Information on travelling with mental health conditions is available in our guidance page. Further information is also available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).
Medical treatment
Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Prescriptions issued by UK doctors are not valid in Macao. To obtain prescription medication, you will need to see a local doctor. For further information, see our list of medical facilities in Macao.
Health risks
Dengue fever is common in Macao. You should take precautions against mosquito bites.
The typhoon season normally runs from April to October. Typhoons very occasionally hit Macao and may cause flooding and landslides. Warning is given in advance. Public offices shut down when the ‘Typhoon 8’ signal is hoisted. You should follow advice issued by the local authorities.
Monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation, the China Meteorological Administration and the Japan Meteorological Agency.
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. If you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad, contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on 020 7008 5000 (24 hours).
Foreign travel checklist
Read our foreign travel checklist to help you plan for your trip abroad and stay safe while you’re there.
Travel safety
The FCDO travel advice helps you make your own decisions about foreign travel. Your safety is our main concern, but we can not provide tailored advice for individual trips. If you’re concerned about whether or not it’s safe for you to travel, you should read the travel advice for the country or territory you’re travelling to, together with information from other sources you’ve identified, before making your own decision on whether to travel. Only you can decide whether it’s safe for you to travel.
When we judge the level of risk to British nationals in a particular place has become unacceptably high, we’ll state on the travel advice page for that country or territory that we advise against all or all but essential travel. Read more about how the FCDO assesses and categorises risk in foreign travel advice.
Our crisis overseas page suggests additional things you can do before and during foreign travel to help you stay safe.
Refunds and cancellations
If you wish to cancel or change a holiday that you’ve booked, you should contact your travel company. The question of refunds and cancellations is a matter for you and your travel company. Travel companies make their own decisions about whether or not to offer customers a refund. Many of them use our travel advice to help them reach these decisions, but we do not instruct travel companies on when they can or cannot offer a refund to their customers.
For more information about your rights if you wish to cancel a holiday, visit the Citizen’s Advice Bureau website. For help resolving problems with a flight booking, visit the website of the Civil Aviation Authority. For questions about travel insurance, contact your insurance provider and if you’re not happy with their response, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Registering your travel details with us
We’re no longer asking people to register with us before travel. Our foreign travel checklist and crisis overseas page suggest things you can do before and during foreign travel to plan your trip and stay safe.
Previous versions of FCDO travel advice
If you’re looking for a previous version of the FCDO travel advice, visit the National Archives website. Versions prior to 2 September 2020 will be archived as FCO travel advice. If you can not find the page you’re looking for there, send the Travel Advice Team a request.
Further help
If you’re a British national and you have a question about travelling abroad that isn’t covered in our foreign travel advice or elsewhere on GOV.UK, you can submit an enquiry, or contact us on Twitter or Facebook. We’re not able to provide tailored advice for specific trips.
