Macau: entry and exit requirements
Formalities, visas
Germans, Austrians and Swiss are allowed to enter the country without a visa for a period of 90 days, but they must be in possession of a passport that is still valid for 30 days, then they will be issued a visa for 90 days.
If you want to stay longer, you can extend the visa once at the immigration authorities for a further 30 days.
The following is responsible for issuing visas in Germany:
Macau Immigration Service
Avenida Rodrigo Rodriques, Comando PSP
Macau
Tel: 00853-7967303
Anyone traveling to other Asian countries via Macau must present a passport that is valid for at least six months.
Departure fee
In many countries, a fee must be paid when leaving the country.
When leaving Macau, this fee is:
130 MOPs for adults when traveling internationally and 80 MOPs when traveling to China.
For children aged 2-12, the departure fee is 80 MOP internationally and 50 MOP to China.
Import and export of foreign currency
- Local currencyThere are no import or export restrictions.
- Foreign currenciesThere are no import or export restrictions.
Import and export of goods
The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties.
Visitors are allowed to import the following quantities:
- 1 liter of wine and 1 liter of alcohol or spirits
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco
- It is allowed to import goods up to a value of 10,000 patacas.
Macau: Transport/How to get there
How to get to Macau
Although Macau Airport is well connected internationally, most travelers come through Hong Kong Airport. There is a direct ferry connection to Macau from there. Hong Kong has one of the most modern airports in the world, which serves as a gateway for southern China and as a transport hub for Asia. The airport is accordingly frequented and there are correspondingly many flight connections to Hong Kong.
Rail
You can also come from mainland China by rail. The journey is likely to be arduous for the normal traveler. By the way, many Europeans used to arrive by train in the city after a two-week journey.
Travel in the country
Bus
You can take the bus from the airport and the ferry terminal to the city or explore the city itself.
Roads, Cars
There are 341 km of tarred roads. The Macau Peninsula and Taipa Island are now connected by three bridges, the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge in the east and the Ponte da Amizade. The Sai Van Bridge to the west was opened to traffic in early 2005.
There are two border crossings that lead to China.
In the north of the city is the border gate and on the landfill between the islands of Coloane and Taipa the COTAI border post.
The opening times of the border crossings are:
COTAI border post: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Border
gate: 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive.
Car rental
Cars are not necessarily the best means of transport for Macau; the best way to explore the historic city is on foot. Those who can no longer walk can take one of the inexpensive taxis.
On foot
The historic city center with its pedestrian zone can be easily explored on foot.
Ferry connections
The ferries that run from Hong Kong to Macau are an integral part of the public transport system, a journey takes around 60 minutes. A journey with them is an absolute must for every tourist! The offshore islands can also be easily reached by ferry.
Traffic rules
Macau is driving on the left. In order to avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, one should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. The maximum speeds shown can of course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the traffic clubs in the country concerned.
Speed limits
in Macau are the following speed limits:
- In urban areas: 60 km/h, with mini-bus: 50 km/h
- Out of town: 90 km/h, with mini-bus: 70 km/h
Blood
alcohol limits In Macau there is a blood alcohol limit of 0.8 per mille for drivers of motor vehicles.
Macau: Diplomatic and other missions
German representations in Macau
The Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Hong Kong is also responsible for Macau.
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Hong Kong
United Center, 21st floor, 95 Queensway-Central
Hongkong Island
Tel: 00852 – 21 05 87 77
00852 – 21 05 87 88
Fax: 00852 – 28 65 20 33
Email: germancg@netvigator.com
Web: www.hongkong.diplo.de
Representations from Macau (or China) in Germany
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Macau embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Since Macau belongs to China under international law, Hong Kong does not have its own diplomatic missions in Germany.
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Berlin
Märkisches Ufer 54
10179 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 27 58 80
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 27 58 82 21
Email: de@mofcom.gov.cn
Web: www.china -botschaft.de
Austrian representations for Macau (or China)
The Austrian Embassy in Beijing is also responsible for Macau.
Austrian Embassy in Beijing
Jian Guo Men Wai, Xiu Shui Nan Jie 5
100600 Beijing
Tel: 0086 – 10 – 653 22 061
0086 – 10 – 653 22 062
Fax: 0086 – 10 – 653 21 505
E-Mail: peking-ob @ bmeia.gv.at
Web: www.aussenministerium.at/peking
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Austria in Hong Kong
2201 Chinachem Tower, 34-37 Connaught Road
Central Hong Kong
Tel: 00852 – 2522 80 86/-87/-88/-89
Fax: 00852 – 2521 87 73
Email: hongkong-gk@bmaa.gv. at
www.aussenministerium.at/hongkong
Representations from Macau (or China) in Austria
Since Macau belongs to China under international law, Hong Kong does not have its own diplomatic missions in Austria.
Embassy of the PR China in Vienna
Metternichgasse 4
1030 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 714 31 49
Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 713 68 16
E-Mail: chinaemb_at@mfa.gov.cn
Web: www.chinaembassy.at
Swiss representation for Macau (or China)
The Swiss embassy in Beijing is also responsible for Macau.
Swiss Embassy in Beijing
Sanlitun Dongwujie 3
Beijing (Peking) 100 600
Tel: 0086 – 10 – 85 32 88 88
0086 – 10 – 85 32 87 55
Fax: 0086 – 10 – 65 32 43 53
0086 – 10 – 65 32 62 10
E- Mail: bei.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
bei.visa@eda.admin.ch
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/beijing
Consulate General in Hong Kong
Suite 6206-07
Central Plaza
18 Harbor Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: 00852 – 25 22 71 47/-48
Fax: 00852 – 28 45 26 19
E-Mail: hon.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/hongkong
Representations from Macau (or China) in Switzerland
Since Macau belongs to China under international law, Hong Kong does not have its own diplomatic missions in Switzerland.
Embassy of the PR China in Bern
Kalcheggweg 10
3006 Bern
Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 352 73 33
0041 – (0) 31 – 351 63 37
Fax: 0041 – (0) 31 – 351 45 73
Email: china-embassy @ bluewin.ch
Web: www.china-embassy.ch
Tourist office
Macau Government Tourist Office
No. 335-341, Edificio “Hot Line”, 12 Andar
Macau
Tel: 00853 – 31 55 66
Fax: 00853 – 51 01 04
Email:
Macau: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations, and Warnings
Infectious Diseases
In Macau, the following infectious diseases, which are not or less common in Germany or Central and Northern Europe, are to be expected:
- Malaria: There is no risk of malaria in the country.
- Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoebas, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria
- Dengue fever disease
- Hepatitis A and B
- Polio, polio
- tetanus
Recommended vaccinations
when traveling to Macau are recommended vaccinations against the following diseases:
- Diphtheria – a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
- Hepatitis A and B
- Polio, polio – vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
- Tetanus – a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country
Vaccination Requirement There are no vaccination requirements when entering or staying in Macau.
Who pays for vaccinations in Germany?
Most children in Germany are vaccinated against a number of infectious diseases at an early age. However, the vaccination protection only lasts up to 10 years, in some cases even shorter. Therefore, before traveling abroad, you should carefully consider against which infectious diseases a vaccination is necessary or useful in the country concerned and whether the vaccination protection, if applicable, was not too long ago.
Most statutory health insurances have been reimbursing the costs for the following vaccinations since June 2007.
There is even no 10 € practice fee – but the insured usually have to pay the statutory additional payment, which is 10% of the vaccine price – that is at least 5 € and a maximum of 10 €. Under these conditions, the following vaccinations are free of charge:
- cholera
- diphtheria
- Early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE)
- Yellow fever
- Hepatitis A and B
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Pneumococci
- Polyo (polio)
- Tetanus (tetanus)
- rabies
- typhus
Some health insurance companies also reimburse the cost of malaria prophylaxis.
As a rule, private health insurance companies (inquire beforehand) also cover the costs mentioned.
Current warnings
Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Citizens’ Service
Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000
www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Macau: currency, shopping
The local currency of Macau is the pataca, abbreviated to MOP. This is divided into 100 Avos.
The following banknotes are valid and in circulation in the country:
- 10
- 20th
- 50
- 100
- 500
- 1,000
The following coins are valid and in circulation in the country: 10, 20 and 50 Avos
Conversion rate
You can find a currency converter here:
www3.forium.de
Bank opening hours
Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
You can also change at the airport and the ferry terminal, as well as in numerous exchange offices in the city.
Shop
Shop opening times
daily: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
However, many malls are open until 9:00 p.m. or longer.
Cheap or country-specific goods, souvenirs
Chinese Antiques
Macau is known for high quality antique shops specializing in Chinese antiques and art.
The shops are worth a visit even if you don’t intend to buy.
The shops are on the road leading to the ruins of St. Paul’s and in the adjacent quarters.
Clothing and shoes
In Macau you can buy textiles and shoes, some of them much cheaper than in Hong Kong.
Culinary
The glazed colored pork tablets are also a souvenir for the Chinese.
Another culinary souvenir is pastries such as shortbread biscuits and sesame biscuits, which are offered in a large number of bakeries in the pedestrian zone.
