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Before you go to Réunion: what to know

Must know

  • British passport holders are visa-exempt for short stays up to 90 days in 180. Reunion is outside Schengen: other visitors must check the specific overseas entry rules rather than assume a Schengen visa is sufficient.
  • The currency is the euro. Cards and cash are used at visitor businesses; check the accepted methods with each establishment.

Entry and visas

British citizen passport: British passport holders are visa-exempt for short stays up to 90 days in 180. Reunion is outside Schengen: other visitors must check the specific overseas entry rules rather than assume a Schengen visa is sufficient. Check the linked immigration guidance for other nationalities and purposes.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: legifrance.gouv.fr ↗, france-visas.gouv.fr ↗, en.reunion.fr ↗

Money

Cash and cards are both common. Cards are accepted mainly in cities and tourist areas.

Apple Pay — no data · Google Pay — no data

  • The currency is the euro. Cards and cash are used at visitor businesses; check the accepted methods with each establishment.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: pro.reunion.fr ↗, reunion.fr ↗

Rules and bans

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Obey the French road rules, including keeping to the right.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: legifrance.gouv.fr ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Respect local religious traditions; ask before entering places of worship.

Clothing: Ask your hosts about appropriate clothing for community visits and religious sites.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: en.reunion.fr ↗

Climate

Warm, humid November–April and cooler, drier May–October. Cyclone risks occur in the warm season; mountain conditions differ sharply from the coast.

Month by month
  • January: Jan: Main rainy-season window; check local forecasts.
  • February: Feb: Main rainy-season window; check local forecasts.
  • March: Mar: Main rainy-season window; check local forecasts.
  • April: Apr: Main rainy-season window; check local forecasts.
  • May: May: Outside the stated main rains; check local forecasts.
  • June: Jun: Outside the stated main rains; check local forecasts.
  • July: Jul: Outside the stated main rains; check local forecasts.
  • August: Aug: Outside the stated main rains; check local forecasts.
  • September: Sep: Outside the stated main rains; check local forecasts.
  • October: Oct: Outside the stated main rains; check local forecasts.
  • November: Nov: Main rainy-season window; check local forecasts.
  • December: Dec: Main rainy-season window; check local forecasts.

Best season: April–May and October–November are pleasant transition periods in tourism-board guidance; monitor cyclone alerts.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: en.reunion.fr ↗

What to pack

  • Copies of travel documents
  • An adapter compatible with your accommodation
  • Medicines with their prescription documents

Practical

Plugs: Confirm socket type and supply voltage with your accommodation before packing.

Water: Use a safe drinking-water supply; ask locally before drinking tap water.

Traffic: drives on the right

Insurance: Arrange insurance for your itinerary and planned activities, including medical evacuation where needed.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: legifrance.gouv.fr ↗, en.reunion.fr ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.