Basics
Sockets & plugs
DR Congo uses 220V, 50Hz with sockets and plugs Type C, Type D and Type E.
Read more
Money
Currency
DR Congo uses the Congolese franc (symbol: Fr), code CDF.
Banknotes come in denominations of 20000, 10000, 5000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 francs and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 centimes. Franc is subdivided into 100 centimes. Coins come in denominations of null.
Tipping
Tipping is quite common in DR Congo and it's good etiquette to leave one. How much money you leave depends on the service and how happy you were with it. Receipts might sometimes include a service charge.
ATMs
Automatic teller machines (local name: Distributeur automatique de billets (DAB)) are rare in DR Congo. Your best bet is to look for them in large cities and community places.
You do not need a chip & PIN card to use an ATM — your standard magnetic card will work fine.
Communications
Internet
Internet speed in DR Congo is on average 1.0 Mbps.
WiFi coverage in DR Congo is very low. It's quite hard to find one.
Mobile phone
DR Congo uses GSM mobile networks GSM 900 and GSM 1800.
If you don't want to buy SIM card in DR Congo upon arrival, make sure to check the roaming charges with your telecom provider before your departure so there are no surprises when you return home.
Dial code
To call DR Congo, dial +, then 243 (the country code for DR Congo), then the area code (without the initial 0) and the local number.
For local calls within DR Congo, start with the area code (with the initial 0). In the case above area code is 12 .
Health & safety
LGBTIQ+
Homosexuality is legal in DR Congo.
Same-sex marriage is illegal.
Vaccinations
The following vaccinations listed for this country are recommended for your protection and to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
These apply only to select travelers or persons on work assignments.
Travel advisories
Alerts are issued for short-term events we think you should know about when planning travel to a country.
