Our quick reference guides have vital information on pay, benefits, tax and visas - everything you need to work and live in Guinea:
The Republic of Guinea follows the French welfare state model, with each employee protected by welfare state legislation. The employer is required to declare its employees so that they can get social insurance. There is no fixed minimum wage.
A fiscal year starts the first of January and ends the 31st of December. A personal income tax is due to anyone living and working in Guinea. According to the income group, 10 to 40% of the salary can be directly deducted each month. Incomes have also to be declared each year to the taxation office.
A valid passport and a business visa are required (except for ECOWAS member nation citizens). Ask the Guinean embassy in your home country for details.
Guinea is the world’s second poorest country (after Sierra Leone). It has very warm, genuine people but little infrastructure. It has tremendous natural resources, which includes around one half of the world's reserves of bauxite, and many major gold, jewel, and metal industries.
In May 2007, soldiers protested against embezzlement by senior officers. The country is experiencing serious military opposition in Conakry. Public disturbances could break out anywhere throughout the country, so travellers should avoid crowds. Check news reports every time you go out. In addition, foreigners may be targeted and it is advisable not to show signs of affluence.
If you plan to work in Guinea, you will have to register with the social insurance department or Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale. Appropriate health insurance is also recommended. Medical consultations have to be paid in advance and in cash.
Generally, medical facilities are limited and pharmacies stock only the most basic supplies. Services are slightly better in the capital city than elsewhere in the country. If you are under treatment before leaving, bring along your medicines and keep the original containers.
It is strongly advised not to drink tap water.
The level of HIV infection is quite high in Guinea. The country is also located on the African meningitis belt and epidemics are frequent during the dry season. Ask your practitioner about meningitis prevention before going to Guinea.
Finally, vaccination against yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and tetanus and anti-malarial drugs are needed.
Although the Republic of Guinea has agreed not to restrict international money transactions, it is fairly complicated to open a bank account in Guinea unless you use the services of international banks. The import or export of local currency is prohibited, and the import of foreign currency has to be declared on arrival.
Although there are no ATMs in the country, you can change money at your bank once you have opened an account. There are eight commercial banks in the country. BICIGUI, a subsidiary company of BNP Paribas, is the main bank in Guinea. To open a bank account at BICIGUI, your passport, work visa, proof of residency, utility bill stating home address and certificate from work must be provided, as well as a deposit 500,000 GNF (Guinean francs).
There are official and non-official real estate agencies in Guinea. It is better to be in the country when looking for a place to stay. Word of mouth is the best way to find out about the availability of apartments.
In Conakry, there is no international neighbourhood, but apartments can be rented in residential areas such as La Minière, Camayenne and La Résidence 2000.
Both livestock and pedestrians use the roads and there are no traffic signs. Driving is very different from Western countries. In the event of an accident, you should go to the nearest police station. There are no emergency services and no ambulances.
In the countryside, it is advisable to use four-wheel drive. Be aware that you could attract thieves interested in your gas, water and car parts, so it is better to travel by convoy only. Roadblocks can be encountered. Copies of the following must be carried, with no exceptions: passport and visa, vaccination record, vehicle registration, international driving permit, home driving licence, proof of road insurance and vehicle safety check certificate.
During the rainy season, from June to November, most of the roads are not useable.
There is no public transportation in the country and tourist facilities are limited outside the capital.
Airline companies offer regular links from Conakry to the cities of Kankan, Siguiri, Labé and N’zérékoré. It is not possible to enter the country via private jet unless you have the Guinean authorities’ permission.
The value of the currency has fallen continuously over the years. The inflation rate is high, and prices are still rising. The economy is cash-based and credit cards are not widely used. Travellers' cheques (in USD only) are accepted only at banks and some hotels.
