Living in Ethiopia as a French National: E-Visa, Addis Ababa, Safety, School and Altitude

Ethiopia hosts in Addis Ababa the headquarters of the African Union, to which France maintains a delegation, and a large diplomatic and international community. The Lycée franco-éthiopien Guébré-Mariam, run by the Mission laïque française, offers French education under agreement with the AEFE. According to France Diplomatie, there is no malaria in Addis Ababa.

The points of caution are numerous: armed conflicts and tensions in several regions, rising crime in Addis Ababa that targets foreigners, a “very high” road risk across the country and a healthcare system “of very inadequate quality overall” that requires, for serious cases, evacuation to Kenya or France. See also the guide to the Ethiopian healthcare system.

Addis Ababa is classed under heightened vigilance by France Diplomatie: crime, on the rise, targets foreigners and is concentrated notably on the Yeka and Entoto hills, at Bole Atlas, on Meskel Square, in Piassa and at major intersections. It is advised to avoid walking alone at night, to lock the car doors, to stay calm in case of assault and to report any theft to the nearest police station while informing the consular section.

The other regions are subject to stricter recommendations: Tigray, Amhara as a whole, several border zones, Gambela and certain parts of western Oromia are formally advised against; a large part of Oromia, western Ogaden and certain areas of Afar are advised against except for compelling reasons; Dire Dawa, Harar, Awassa, Arba Minch and the Bale Mountains are under heightened vigilance. Travel outside Addis Ababa is therefore prepared with the France Diplomatie “Safety” page.

According to France Diplomatie, a visa is compulsory for any stay; it is obtained online before departure and a paper copy is required on entry. The visa on arrival is described as unreliable and strongly advised against. An extension costs USD 100 for one month (tourist visa), USD 160 (business visa) and up to USD 300 for three months; an overstay is punished by a fine of USD 3,000 plus USD 30 a day, payable only in foreign currency, and any extension is requested at least ten days before expiry.

• Temporary residence permit: the immigration and citizenship service issues it to company employees, students, shareholders and journalists, on a letter from the employer (who holds a valid commercial certificate), the Ministry of Education, the Investment Commission or the Ministry of Communication; announced timeline of 5 to 10 working days.
• Permanent residence permit: valid for five years and renewable, on a letter from the employer, the company’s commercial certificate, a copy of the passport and a valid work visa or tourist visa.
• Fees: France Diplomatie indicates that residence permits cost USD 150 to 1,500, with high late-payment penalties; keep proof of entry and exit and check the border stamps.
• Currency: up to USD 10,000 may be imported without declaration for a stay of three months at most; unjustified possession of foreign currency may lead to prosecution.

See also the page on working in Ethiopia.

The “Economic reference points” block above presents inflation and the birr exchange rate. Rents and charges vary by neighbourhood of Addis Ababa; the official pages consulted publish no rent scale. Amounts are requested from local agents, the employer and the school, and checked in writing before signing a lease. France Diplomatie also reports air pollution, above all in Addis Ababa, which leads vulnerable people to limit outdoor activities during peaks.

For a family, schooling, the daily journey and insurance are chosen together: expat family insurance.

The Lycée franco-éthiopien Guébré-Mariam, on Churchill Road in Addis Ababa, has 1,774 pupils across 15 levels, from the first nursery year to the final year, all approved and none followed through the CNED; it is run by the Mission laïque française and carries the logo of a school under agreement (AEFE record). Enrolment, tuition fees and grants are requested from the school and the consular section of the embassy.

For children, insurance is chosen with a paediatrics and vaccination component: the page on healthcare reimbursement in Ethiopia compares the cover solutions. France Diplomatie recalls that high-altitude mountain areas are not advised for children.

• avoid public transport, above all minibuses, and use recognised drivers or agencies; never drive at night outside the large towns;
• check the driver’s plate with a ride-hailing app and avoid vehicles not booked (fake drivers reported);
• do not buy dollars without the document issued by the immigration service; unjustified possession of foreign currency exposes you to prosecution;
• keep a record of entries and exits and check that stamps are applied, above all at land border posts;
• Ethiopian law punishes homosexuality with 1 to 15 years in prison; France Diplomatie advises discretion.

The France Diplomatie pages list no emergency numbers for the police, ambulance or fire brigade; they mention a consular duty line. The French embassy can be reached on +33 1 82 88 55 49 and the delegation to the African Union on +251 11 140 00 00.

France Diplomatie considers imperative an assistance contract covering all medical costs, including surgery, hospitalisation and repatriation; without cover, access to care may be refused. Malaria is present in most areas below 1,500 metres, but is absent from Addis Ababa; cholera affects several regions, including poorly water-served neighbourhoods of the capital.

Acute mountain sickness may occur above 2,500 metres: in case of symptoms, stop climbing and descend to below at least 4,000 metres, accompanied by another person, then consult. Prevention involves gradual acclimatisation, limited effort at first, avoiding alcohol and heavy meals, and no more than 400 metres of positive elevation gain between two consecutive nights from 2,500 metres.