Practical Info A–Z

Germans, Austrians, and Swiss do not need a visa for Malaysia — upon entry, you automatically receive a stay of 90 days. This is one of the most generous visa-free stays in all of Asia.

• Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond the travel date
• Return/onward flight ticket: Occasionally checked
• Entry card: Since 2024 digital via the MDAC (Malaysia Digital Arrival Card) — fill out online before departure at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my

Important Note: Sabah & Sarawak

Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo have their own immigration controls — even for domestic travel from the peninsula! When flying from KL to Kota Kinabalu or Kuching, you will go through a passport control and receive a new entry stamp. Always carry your passport!

The currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR / RM). Current exchange rate (as of 2026): approx. 1 € ≈ 5.00–5.20 MYR.

Cash & ATMs

Malaysia is semi-cashless — in cities, credit cards and e-wallets (Touch 'n Go, GrabPay) are accepted almost everywhere. At hawker stalls and markets, however, you need cash. ATMs (Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank) are everywhere. Fee: usually free for withdrawals with Visa/Mastercard (but check with your home bank!).

Credit Cards

Visa and Mastercard are accepted in hotels, restaurants, and malls. On the islands (Perhentians, Tioman) and in rural areas: cash only.

Touch 'n Go

Malaysia's most important e-wallet — used for public transport (LRT, MRT, Monorail, toll roads), parking, and many shops. For tourists, a physical Touch 'n Go card is worthwhile (available at every MRT station, 10 MYR) — rechargeable and usable everywhere.

The medical care in Malaysia is excellent — especially in KL and Penang, where private hospitals are of international standard. Malaysia is one of the top destinations for medical tourism in Asia. Nevertheless, international travel health insurance is mandatory.

Vaccinations

• Recommended: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus
• For jungle stays: Rabies (monkeys!), Japanese encephalitis
• Malaria: Only a low risk in remote rainforest areas of Borneo. No prophylaxis needed in tourist areas.

Dengue Fever

Dengue is widespread in Malaysia — especially during the rainy season in urban areas. Mosquito repellent (DEET 30%+) is the best prevention.

Travel Pharmacy

• Diarrhea remedies + electrolytes
• Mosquito repellent (DEET 30%+)
• Sunscreen (SPF 50+, reef-safe!)
• Painkillers (Ibuprofen/Paracetamol)
• Band-aids & wound disinfectant

Malaysia is one of the safest travel countries in Southeast Asia. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The biggest risks are petty crime and road traffic.

Safety Tips

• Bag snatching: In KL (especially Bukit Bintang, Chinatown), bag snatching by motorcycle occurs — carry bags on the side away from the street, do not carry an open handbag over the shoulder.
• East coast of Sabah: Near the Philippine border (Semporna, Sandakan), there have been isolated kidnappings by Philippine terrorist groups in the past. The risk is low, but stay informed.
• Traffic: Malaysia's roads are relatively good, but driving style is aggressive. Be especially careful on scooters — helmets are mandatory.
• Drug laws: Malaysia has extremely strict drug laws — possession above a certain amount is classified as trafficking and can be punished with the death penalty (since 2023, there is a revision giving judges more discretion, but the laws remain draconian). Absolute zero tolerance.

Malaysia is a Muslim country with a liberal interpretation — but there are a few etiquette rules you should know:

Clothing

• In mosques: Cover knees and shoulders. Women: Headscarf. Most large mosques provide free robes (Jubah) and headscarves.
• In temples (Hindu/Buddhist): Cover knees and shoulders, remove shoes.
• At the beach/in tourist areas: Normal swimwear is not a problem — Langkawi, Penang, and the islands are liberal.
• In conservative areas (Kelantan, Terengganu): Cover a bit more than on the west coast. No hot pants and spaghetti tops in the city.

Etiquette

• Left hand: Considered unclean — do not use for eating, giving, or receiving.
• Remove shoes: In Malay homes, mosques, and temples — and often in simple restaurants and shops.
• Do not touch the head: The head is considered the most sacred part of the body — do not touch children or adults there.
• Pointing fingers: Do not point at people with the index finger — instead, use the thumb of the right hand (fist with the thumb pointing upwards).

Alcohol is legal but expensive in Malaysia — due to high taxes, a beer in a restaurant costs 12–18 MYR (2.40–3.60 €). Wine and cocktails are proportionally more expensive. The only exception: Langkawi and Tioman (duty-free zones), where alcohol is dirt cheap.

The Rules

• Available in: Supermarkets (not 7-Eleven!), Chinese restaurants, international hotels, bars, clubs
• Not available in: Malay/Muslim restaurants, markets, in the states of Kelantan and Terengganu (officially alcohol-free — in practice, discreetly served in hotels and Chinese restaurants)
• Minimum age: 21 years (raised from 18 to 21 in 2020)
• Public drinking: Not a problem in most areas, but inappropriate in conservative regions

A local SIM card in Malaysia is cheap and practical — indispensable for Grab, navigation, and communication.

The Providers

Buy SIM: At KLIA/KLIA2 airport (stands right after arrival), in every 7-Eleven store or mobile shop. Passport required for registration. Internet speed: Excellent in KL and Penang (50–100 Mbps 4G/5G), patchy on the islands and in the jungle.

Malaysia uses 230 volts at 50 Hz. Socket type: Type G (three rectangular pins, like in the UK). German plugs (Type C/F) do not fit — a travel adapter is essential.

Adapters are available at every airport and in every 7-Eleven store for 5–10 MYR. Power outages are rare in cities, more common on islands and in the jungle — bring a power bank.