Briefing d'orientation aux Maldives

Sultanat depuis le XIIe siècle, les Maldives sont devenues un protectorat britannique en 1887, puis une république en 1968, trois ans après leur indépendance. Le président Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM a dominé la scène politique maldivienne pendant 30 ans, élu à six mandats successifs lors de référendums organisés dans le cadre d'un parti unique. Après des manifestations politiques dans la capitale, Malé, en 2003, GAYOOM et son gouvernement se sont engagés à entreprendre un processus de libéralisation et de réformes démocratiques, comprenant un système politique plus représentatif et des libertés politiques élargies. Les partis politiques ont été légalisés en 2005.

En 2008, une assemblée constituante, dénommée « Majlis spécial », a finalisé une nouvelle constitution ratifiée par GAYOOM. Les toutes premières élections présidentielles selon un système pluripartite à candidatures multiples se sont tenues plus tard la même année. GAYOOM a été battu au second tour par Mohamed NASHEED, un militant politique que le régime avait emprisonné plusieurs années auparavant. En 2012, après plusieurs semaines de manifestations de rue en réaction à l'arrestation d'un haut magistrat, NASHEED a démissionné de la présidence et cédé le pouvoir au vice-président Mohammed WAHEED Hassan Maniku. Une commission nationale d'enquête désignée par le gouvernement a conclu qu'aucune preuve ne permettait d'établir l'existence d'un coup d'État, mais NASHEED a affirmé que des policiers et des militaires l'avaient contraint à démissionner. NASHEED, WAHEED et Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom se sont présentés aux élections de 2013, YAMEEN remportant finalement la présidence après trois tours de scrutin. En 2018, YAMEEN a perdu sa candidature à la réélection face au parlementaire Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH. YAMEEN a été arrêté et emprisonné en 2022 pour des accusations de corruption. La quatrième élection démocratique des Maldives s'est tenue en septembre 2023. Le vainqueur, Dr Mohamed MUIZZU, maire de Malé, a fait campagne sur un programme de souveraineté maldivienne, promettant de retirer les militaires indiens du pays. MUIZZU représente une coalition conjointe du Parti progressiste des Maldives et du Congrès national du peuple (PPM/PNC).

Political protests take place occasionally in Malé. Avoid any protests or rallies to ensure your safety and security.  

Global travel impacts due to the situation in the Middle East

Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. This may impact connections to and from the Maldives.

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:

• check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through
• check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator
• review your travel insurance policy to confirm what is covered
• monitor local and international media and sign up for FCDO travel advice email alerts

Hotline number Ministry of Tourism and Environment: +9609423131

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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Terrorism

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. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times. 

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Maldives  

Terrorist attacks in Maldives cannot be ruled out.

Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaida and Daesh, have called on their supporters to carry out terrorist attacks in response to the conflict in Israel and Palestine. The conflict could also motivate individuals to carry out attacks, including in Maldives.

The Maldivian authorities have disrupted a number of terrorist attack plans since 2017 and have made several arrests relating to attack planning, recruitment of terrorist fighters and spreading extremist ideology. However, a risk from terrorism remains.

Examples of attacks in the last 5 years include:

• in 2025, a terrorist plot was foiled. Suspects are awaiting trial.
• in 2022, a politician was attacked with a knife and injured in the Hulhumalé area of Malé
• in 2021, a high-profile politician and a number of bystanders were injured by the detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED) in central Malé
• in 2020, an arson attack on a police speedboat in Laamu Gan
• in 2020, knife attacks that injured 3 foreigners in Hulhumalé which were claimed by Daesh supporters

Political situation

Political protests take place occasionally in Malé. Avoid any protests or rallies to ensure your safety and security.  

Crime

Crime levels are low in the exclusive resort islands, but petty crime does happen. Do not leave items unattended on the beach or in unlocked hotel rooms.

Outside the resorts, there are incidents of gang-related violence including knife crime, mainly in Malé and in Hulhumalé. Avoid empty roads when on foot, particularly after dark.

Laws and cultural differences

Maldives is an Islamic country. It is illegal to publicly observe a religion other than Islam. Make sure that your actions do not offend, especially during Ramadan or when visiting religious areas around mosques. If you break local laws, you may get a prison sentence.

Ramadan

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. In 2026, it began on 17 February and finished on 19 March. In 2027, it may start on 7 February and last for 29 or 30 days.

During this time, do not eat, drink or smoke in public in the daytime, outside of holiday resorts.

Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.

Alcohol laws and bans

Alcoholic drinks are only available on resort islands. Do not take any alcohol out of your resort. You can be arrested and deported for possessing and drinking alcohol, or being intoxicated outside resorts and on inhabited islands.    

Illegal drugs penalties

Possession, trafficking and manufacture of any illegal drugs are serious offences in Maldives and penalties can be severe. This includes cannabis, even small quantities can lead to arrest.

British nationals have been caught carrying controlled drugs while transiting Maldives.

International airports in Maldives have advanced scanning systems and procedures in place for scanning and detecting illegal substances, including cannabis. This includes all carry-on and checked-in baggage of transiting passengers.

The Maldivian authorities have a zero-tolerance policy to drug offences. Possessing drugs, even in very small quantities, carries severe penalties, including:

• arrest and detention
• long prison sentences if convicted
• corporal punishment (whipping) in some cases
• death penalty for the most serious offences

You are strongly advised:

• not to carry any controlled substances, including cannabis, even if legal in your departure country
• to check your luggage thoroughly before travelling or transiting through the Maldives
• if prescribed medication contains controlled substances, carry a doctor’s prescription and check Maldivian regulations in advance

Wildlife, animal products and souvenirs

It is illegal to take tortoiseshell jewellery or ornaments, or pieces of coral out of Maldives. 

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relations are illegal and if you are convicted, you could get a fine or a lengthy prison sentence.    

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Local dress standards

You should be sensitive to local dress standards when outside holiday resorts, including on beaches used by locals. Men and women should:

• have shoulders covered
• avoid short or tight-fitting shorts
• have arms and upper legs covered when bathing

Nudism and topless sunbathing are not allowed anywhere, including on resort islands.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Swimming safety

The sea around Maldives can have strong tidal currents that can drag you away from the shoreline resulting in drownings. It is important that you know the risks and what you can do to minimise them. Always speak to the appropriate resort staff to find out where it is safe for you to swim.

You should read the security information provided by your tour operator and make yourself aware of local swimming conditions on arrival at the resort.  Keep in regular contact with resort staff to see if these conditions change.

Only swim in well supervised areas, areas designated as safe for tourists, or where lifeguards are available.  Pay attention to warning signs or flags and avoid swimming in areas with strong currents, high waves or dangerous underwater conditions.  If something does not feel right, get out of the water at the earliest opportunity.

Being aware of the potential dangers will help you to stay safe. Always take local advice before going into the sea.

There have been fatal accidents involving boat propellers in the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) and nearby whale shark tourism sites. Regulations requiring propeller guards are not yet fully enforced. Take extra care when swimming or snorkelling near boats and follow local safety instructions.

See water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.

Scuba diving

Many resort islands are more than an hour away from the nearest hyperbaric chamber. Make sure you understand how your dive operator would get you to one of the 3 chambers in the islands. 

Diving safaris are available and may include opportunities to see sharks. Be aware of the potential risks as accidents can occur and, in rare cases, may be fatal.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive a car in Maldives, see information on driving abroad.

You’ll need to have both the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.

Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience and minimum age 20 or 21.

Sea travel

There is a high risk of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.

There have been attacks on local fishing sailing vessels (dhows) in the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa.

If you’re travelling by sea, read about the regional risks at sea.

Most of the island resorts are accessible by boat. Pay attention to safety briefings when taking any boat trips. Make sure life jackets are provided, especially on smaller excursion boats. Some tour guides may be able to advise on the safety record and registration of boats.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Flooding

Flash flooding can affect low-lying islands during periods of heavy rain. Follow the advice of the local authorities.

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 102 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check the latest vaccine recommendations for Maldives
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in Maldives, including:

• dengue
• measles

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

Healthcare in Maldives

Medical facilities are limited – the only fully equipped hospitals are in Malé and Hulhumalé. Most resort islands are within reach of a doctor or have their own medical facilities, but many are several hours’ travel away from emergency treatment.

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Maldives where some staff will speak English.

There is also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in Maldives.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.