🇲🇻 Travel facts Maldives
✓ Last checked:The most important practical answers for your Maldives trip — entry, tipping, plug type, customs and more. Compactly verified, with sources.
| Capital | Malé |
|---|---|
| Language | Dhivehi |
| Currency | Rufiyaa (MVR) |
| Timezone | UTC+5 |
| Flight time from Germany | approx. 10 hours |
| Emergency number | 119 · Police 119 · Emergency 102 |
| Plug | Type G · 230 V / 50 Hz · Adapter needed |
| EU / Schengen | not an EU country · not Schengen |
Do I need a visa for the Maldives?
Passport required; free tourist visa for 30 days on arrival.
Passport must be valid for 6 months, onward flight ticket and proof of accommodation required. Binding information: German Federal Foreign Office.
How much should I tip in the Maldives?
10% service charge is automatically added — extra is optional.
Hotel: 5–10 USD per day for butler/housekeeping is appreciated.
Which plug adapter do I need in the Maldives?
Adapter needed: Plug type G, 230 V / 50 Hz.
British type G — adapter needed; many resorts also have USB ports.
Can you drink tap water in the Maldives?
Partly — varies by region, when in doubt, drink bottled water.
Desalinated water; resorts usually provide drinking water — bottled/processed water is common.
What can I bring back from the Maldives to Germany?
Third country: When returning to Germany, goods up to €430 (by air), 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of spirits are duty-free. Importing alcohol to the Maldives is prohibited (confiscation at the airport).
Will my mobile phone work in the Maldives?
No EU roaming — pre-book eSIM or buy a cheap local SIM on-site.
Card or cash — how do you pay in the Maldives?
In the resort, almost everything is charged to your room account/card (USD); cash is only needed on local islands.
What should I know about health in the Maldives?
Travel health insurance with repatriation is recommended; check vaccination/health advice with the German Federal Foreign Office or tropical institute.
Sources & Note
Information from the perspective of German citizens, as of August 2026, without guarantee. Entry and security information may change at short notice — binding is the German Federal Foreign Office (Maldives travel advice) . Health information does not replace medical travel advice.
