Compulsory vaccination and proof of yellow fever vaccination
There is no risk of malaria, yellow fever or cholera in the Seychelles. The islands are not entirely free of tropical diseases, though: chikungunya and dengue are spread by mosquitoes and do occur (more on this in section 3).
No vaccinations are compulsory for the Seychelles, except if you are arriving from or travelling through a yellow fever infection area. In that case a yellow fever vaccination is required from the age of one. Infected areas include certain parts of northern and central South America and Central Africa. South Africa is not counted as an infected area.
When proof is required
| Entry | Yellow fever certificate |
|---|---|
| Direct from Germany, Austria or Switzerland | Not required |
| Entry from a yellow fever area (parts of Central Africa and South America) | Required from 1 year of age |
| Transit in a yellow fever country, less than 12 hours, without leaving the airport | Not required |
| Stay at the airport of a yellow fever country longer than 12 hours | Required |
| Children under 12 months | Not required |
Travellers who arrive via Nairobi, Kenya, and stay in the transit area there do not need a yellow fever vaccination. The same applies to transit via Addis Ababa, as long as you do not leave the transit area and stay for under 12 hours.
Under WHO rules, a yellow fever vaccination certificate has been valid for life since 2016, and a booster after 10 years may not be demanded. Where proof is required, the health authorities check it on arrival. Some airlines also ask for it when you depart.
The British travel health body NaTHNaC cites a notice from the Seychelles Electronic Border System (as of May 2025) stating that travellers aged 60 and over do not need proof. This is not confirmed in German-language official sources. If in doubt, check with your airline or the Seychelles consulate before booking. You will find all other entry documents under entry requirements.
Recommended vaccinations
The only compulsory item is proof of yellow fever vaccination in the case described above. The German Federal Foreign Office nevertheless recommends checking your vaccination protection before you travel. Ideally, seek travel medicine advice about six weeks before departure, so that any multi-dose vaccinations can still be completed in time.
| Vaccination | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio | Check and refresh standard vaccinations |
| Measles (mumps, rubella) | Check protection, important for all children |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended for travelers by the Federal Foreign Office |
| Hepatitis B | For longer stays or close contact with the local population |
| Typhoid | Based on individual assessment, especially for simple travel styles |
| Chikungunya and dengue | Based on individual indication, medical consultation needed |
Vaccines exist for chikungunya and dengue. Whether they make sense for you depends on your age, pre-existing conditions, time of travel and length of stay. That is for a travel medicine practice to decide. Different recommendations sometimes apply to children, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses. You can find travel medicine practices through the German Society for Tropical Medicine, Travel Medicine and Global Health.
Mosquitoes, chikungunya and dengue
There is no malaria in the Seychelles, so you do not need preventive tablets. Aedes mosquitoes, on the other hand, are common on the islands. They transmit chikungunya and dengue, and according to the Austrian foreign ministry also Zika, and they bite mainly during the day. Cases become more frequent in the rainy season.
Chikungunya outbreak 2025/2026
From December 2025, chikungunya cases rose noticeably. In February 2026 the Ministry of Health confirmed the continued spread of arboviruses, and the US agency CDC issued a level 2 travel notice. The Seychelles foreign ministry reported a marked decline since mid-January in mid-February 2026. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) nevertheless rated the risk of infection for travellers as high in March 2026. A Berlin analysis documents infections in returning travellers up to April 2026, including from Mahé, Praslin and Silhouette.
What the situation will be like when you travel cannot be predicted. Check the current advice from the Federal Foreign Office shortly before departure. For more on the seasons, see climate and weather and best time to travel.
How to protect yourself
Preparing for your stay
Basic medical care is available in the Seychelles, but it does not reach European standards everywhere. The Federal Foreign Office advises taking out overseas health insurance that covers repatriation. Addresses of hospitals and clinics and the most important emergency numbers can be found under hospitals, clinics and emergency numbers.
If you need regular medication, take a sufficient supply and proof of the prescription with you. Which medicines and quantities are allowed on entry is explained under customs regulations. You will find a list for your travel first aid kit in the travel checklist and in the travel tips.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need malaria tablets?
No. Malaria is not transmitted in the Seychelles, so no prophylaxis is needed.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination if I travel via Addis Ababa or Nairobi?
Not if you stay only in the transit area and spend less than 12 hours there. If you leave the airport or stay longer, you need proof of vaccination.
How long is the yellow fever vaccination valid?
For life, under WHO rules. A certificate that is more than 10 years old may not be refused on entry.
Is there Ebola in the Seychelles?
No, no case has been confirmed so far. The new entry rules affect only travellers who have been in the DR Congo in the last 21 days.
Are chikungunya and dengue a reason to postpone the trip?
The Seychelles is still considered a safe destination, as the foreign ministry stressed in February 2026. If you protect yourself consistently against mosquito bites and seek medical advice beforehand, you travel with a manageable risk. If you have pre-existing conditions, your doctor should decide case by case.
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