Before leaving for Taiwan
Insurance and vaccines
Insurance
You are required to purchase an insurance policy that will cover you in the event of trip cancellation, theft, loss of belongings, illness or accident.
Vaccines
No vaccinations are required for travel to Taiwan, except for yellow fever for travelers coming from infected areas.
However, it is advisable to have up-to-date vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio and measles for children.
For those wishing to stay in rural areas or engage in “outdoor” activities (camping, visiting rice paddies), it is advisable to be vaccinated against rabies, Japanese encephalitis and typhoid.
Visa formalities
The Formalities
To enter Taiwan, you must have a passport that is still valid for 6 months after your arrival date and a return plane ticket to France or another destination.
Visas
If your stay is longer than 90 days, you will be required to obtain a visa. For stays shorter than 90 days, you will not need one.
Taipei Representative Office Addresses
Taipei Representative Office in France:
Address: 78 Rue de l’Université, 75007 Paris
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tel.: 01 44 39 88 30
Email: fra@mofa.gov.tw
Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium:
Address: Square de Meeûs 26-27, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tel.: 02 287 28 00
Email: taipei@diplobel.fed.be
Taipei Cultural and Economic Delegation:
Address: Kirchenfeldstrasse 14, 3005 Bern, Switzerland
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tel.: 041 31 382 29 27
Email: taipei.delegation@bluewin.ch
French Office in Taipei:
Address: 205 Tun Hwa North Road, Taipei 105, Taiwan (10th Floor)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM by online appointment and afternoon by phone appointment
Tel: +886 2 3518 5151 Monday to Thursday, 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:40 PM, Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:10 PM
Practical Information
What clothes to bring to Taiwan?
Depending on the regions you plan to visit, it’s a good idea to adapt your clothing. Mountainous regions remain cooler, especially in autumn and winter, so pack a slightly thicker jacket. As for the rest of the island, temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees. A jacket and sweater will suffice.
It rains often in Taiwan, and sometimes quite unexpectedly. An umbrella and raincoat will always be useful, but you can always buy a raincoat at a convenience store for less than €1.
What to put in your first aid kit when going to Taiwan?
A small, fairly comprehensive first aid kit to relieve minor everyday injuries, mosquito repellent lotion, and sunscreen and soothing lotion in case of sunburn, which is very strong in the south of the island. You may need time to adapt to the local food, which is rarely spicy, so bring medication for stomach aches, digestive problems, etc.
Currency in Taiwan
The local currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD).
To exchange your money, euros are accepted everywhere, whether at the airport, in banks and even in some hotels.
Currency exchange is possible at banks in major cities. Rate differences between banks are virtually non-existent.
Regarding cash withdrawals, there are ATMs almost everywhere in the country. Make sure the ATM accepts your card, but the vast majority accept Visa and MasterCard. You can also pay by card in stores.
Tip: When you arrive, exchange your euros at the airport before going through immigration; the rates there will be a little better than at the money exchange counters you’ll find after collecting your baggage.