Requirements for entry into Cambodia: everything you need to know before traveling

Cambodia is a great choice for travel. Here you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of ancient civilizations, visit world-famous temple complexes, enjoy the beauty of untouched tropical forests and relax on the seaside. Cambodia is a country that will give you unforgettable experiences and open up a wonderful world where history is closely intertwined with natural beauty.

Before embarking on a new journey, it is extremely important to carefully study all the necessary formalities and nuances of entry into this country. We recommend paying special attention to visa requirements and preparing all necessary documents in advance.

In this section, you can find detailed information about which visa is right for you and how to apply for it. We have also prepared important facts about medical recommendations for travelers, rules for entering the country with children and pets, and information about flights and the locations of diplomatic representations in the country.

Advance preparation and familiarization with the current rules of Cambodia will help you avoid possible delays or difficulties at the border and help make your trip as comfortable and pleasant as possible.

According to the entry rules to Cambodia, citizens of Germany and Europe need a valid visa when crossing the border.

Visa exemption is only available to citizens of the following countries:

• Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore - up to 30 days
• Philippines - up to 21 days
• Brunei, Myanmar, Thailand - up to 14 days

Entry requirements to Cambodia: identity documents

Foreign tourists entering Cambodia need a passport valid for at least 6 months. A temporary passport is allowed. All children require their own identity document. Children's entries in a parent's passport have been invalid since June 2012. The same entry requirements apply to minors as to adults.

Visa application:

Obtaining a regular visa at a Cambodian diplomatic mission abroad

Applying for a visa at the Cambodian embassy or another consular office in your home country before traveling is the most common and safest way to obtain a visa to Cambodia. Choosing this route, you will receive a visa stamp in your passport and will be able to freely enter the kingdom in Southeast Asia by air or land at any airport or authorized border crossing. Travel planning is very flexible. In Germany, the embassy in Berlin is responsible for consular matters and visas.

e-Visa (electronic visa)

The second way to obtain a visa is an electronic visa. It is also processed before departure. Travelers receive confirmation by email. You must print out the document and have it with you when entering the country. The application for an electronic visa must be filled out online. Applicants must have a credit or debit card to pay for the entry permit.

The electronic visa is issued for purposes such as tourism, business, study, job search, with a maximum permitted stay in the country - 30 days. Please note, with an electronic visa to Cambodia, it is possible to enter through the following ports of entry:

• Siem Reap International Airport
• Sihanouk International Airport
• Cham Yeam (Koh Kong) – border with Thailand
• Poi Pet (Banteay Meanchey) – border with Thailand
• Bavet (Svay Rieng) – border with Vietnam
• Tropaeng Kreal Border Post (Stung Treng) – border with Laos

Visa on Arrival

According to the entry rules to Cambodia, Visa on Arrival is the third option for visa application. However, there is no 100% guarantee that the entry process will go smoothly. As far as known, a visa can only be obtained on-site at the international airports of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, as well as at border crossings into Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.
To avoid unpleasant surprises upon arrival in Cambodia, we strongly recommend that you take care of your travel authorization before departure and apply for an electronic or traditional visa at the Cambodian diplomatic mission in your country.

More information can be found in the section Visas to Cambodia.

Currently, vaccination is not a mandatory condition for entry into Cambodia. However, the World Health Organization recommends getting vaccinated against the following major diseases before traveling:

• hepatitis A and B,
• typhoid,
• rabies,
• poliomyelitis,
• tetanus,
• yellow fever,
• tuberculosis,
• cholera,
• diphtheria.

Cambodia, like several other countries, no longer requires a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 to enter the country.

Please note that specific requirements may change, so we advise you to check the current information about the necessary vaccinations at the time of your trip before traveling.

With careful planning and adherence to necessary precautions, traveling with children in Cambodia can be a safe and exciting experience for the whole family.

The situation in Cambodia is currently quite calm, making the country a suitable destination for family vacations. Places popular among families with children are carefully guarded and provide a high level of security. Many hotel complexes offer children's clubs where parents can leave their children under the supervision of qualified English-speaking staff, and extra cots for children are often provided in the rooms. Additionally, in Cambodia, you can hire a professional nanny for your child.

Obtaining a visa for Cambodia is mandatory for many foreign nationals, including Germany, regardless of the applicant's age. Visas for Cambodia for children under 12 years of age are issued free of charge.

It is recommended to issue a separate foreign passport for the child. Children, whose details are entered in the parent's passport, can enter the country, however, this may cause difficulties during border control.

To apply for a visa for a child under 16 years of age, in addition to the standard package of documents, the following will be required:

• birth certificate and its copy;
• notarially certified consent for travel, if the child is traveling with one parent or without parents;
• power of attorney for the accompanying person, in case the child is traveling with a third party;
• marriage certificate if parents have different surnames.

Our company can help you prepare and certify all the necessary documents for your child's travel.

According to WHO recommendations, before traveling to Cambodia, it is advisable for adults and children over 1 year old to be vaccinated against the following diseases: hepatitis A and B, rabies, typhoid, poliomyelitis, tetanus, yellow fever, tuberculosis, cholera, and diphtheria. You can consult a pediatrician in advance and consult on all issues regarding vaccinating your children before traveling.

Several additional recommendations for a comfortable trip and vacation with children in Cambodia:

• Prepare and take all necessary children's medicines and medications.
• Pay special attention to providing children with drinking water and food safe for their digestion.
• Plan the trip to minimize potential stressful situations and fatigue for the children.
• Get medical insurance for the child.
• Find out in advance which medical institutions in Cambodia can provide assistance in emergencies.

Import of main pets such as dogs, cats, and birds is allowed to Cambodia. For this, it is necessary to provide certificates of standard vaccinations typical for the specific type of animal at veterinary control.

Main documents and requirements for pets traveling to Cambodia:

• International Veterinary Certificate. Issued by an accredited veterinarian of your country. The document must confirm that the animal is healthy and can travel.
• Vaccination Certificate. The animal must have a valid vaccination certificate, including a rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccination must be done no later than 30 days before the trip, but not more than 12 months before the trip.
• Microchip. It is recommended that the animal has a microchip installed in accordance with international standards. This will facilitate the identification of the animal in case it gets lost.
• Import Permit. In some cases, a special import permit for the animal is required in Cambodia. This information should be clarified in advance with the relevant authorities.
• Quarantine. Upon arrival in Cambodia, the animal may be subjected to quarantine at the discretion of the country's veterinary control. The duration and conditions of quarantine may vary depending on current rules and the health status of the animal.
• Transportation Documents. When traveling by airplane, it is necessary to provide the airline with all necessary documents for the animal. Each airline may have additional requirements and rules for transporting pets.

Please note, a certificate of the current health status of the animal is issued by an authorized veterinarian in the country of departure no earlier than 10 days before entering Cambodia. You can obtain full information at the state veterinary clinic of your country.

Flight and accommodation:

Before traveling with a pet to Cambodia, it is important to study the rules for transporting animals on airplanes, as each airline may have its own requirements. It is also important to consider the flight time and possible transfers, as such a trip can be extremely difficult for your pet. Do not forget to take a sedative to make the flight as comfortable as possible, as well as disposable diapers and a drinking bowl in the carrier.

When booking accommodation in Cambodia, make sure in advance that the hotel allows pets to stay. Unfortunately, not all hotel complexes provide this option, or it may be limited by certain requirements for the animal.

Remember, traveling to Guinea with pets requires careful preparation. Compliance with all necessary requirements will ensure you and your four-legged friends a pleasant and safe journey.

When traveling to Cambodia, it is very important to familiarize yourself with local customs regulations. Compliance with established norms and requirements during customs control, both when entering and leaving the country, will help you avoid possible problems or penalties from the authorities. Knowledge and compliance with customs procedures is an important aspect of preparing for a trip to Cambodia.

Please note that from July 1, 2024, Cambodia has established new immigration rules. Now all foreign citizens without exception must obtain a Cambodia e-Arrival Card. This electronic document is intended to replace a number of paper forms previously required upon entry into the country, including immigration, customs, and medical information. It is necessary to take care of obtaining the e-Arrival Card in advance for smooth border crossing in Cambodia.

Learn more about obtaining the Cambodia e-Arrival Card on our website.

Customs regulations of Cambodia.

1. Cigarettes and alcohol.

It is allowed to bring into Cambodia duty-free up to 200 cigarettes or 20 cigars, as well as up to 2 liters of strong alcoholic beverages. The export of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes is allowed without restriction.

2. Currency.

Foreign currency can be freely imported and exported from the country, however, amounts exceeding 10,000 US dollars must be declared upon entry. The import and export of local Cambodian currency are prohibited.

3. Jewels and jewelry.

The import and export of jewelry into the country are allowed without restrictions if their quantity does not exceed the limit of personal use.

Import and export of unprocessed precious stones, ingots, or metals (as scrap) are subject to prior licensing by relevant Cambodian authorities.

4. Works of art and items of cultural and historical significance.

The export from Cambodia of antiques older than 100 years and items of historical and cultural value is possible, but only with the permission of the Ministry of Culture of Cambodia.

5. Veterinary control.

The import of domestic animals and birds into Cambodia is allowed with an international veterinary certificate.

6. Items prohibited for import and export:

• vehicles with right-hand drive,
• automobile and motorcycle tires,
• objects of local fauna,
• any obscene content materials,
• substances of narcotic and psychotropic effects,
• all types of weapons (including hunting), as well as ammunition.

According to current data, unfortunately, there are no direct regular flights from Germany to Cambodia. Passengers traveling to Cambodia will have to make at least one transfer. The average travel time, including transfers, is approximately 16-18 hours. However, when choosing more complex routes with two or more transfers, the total flight time can significantly increase. It is recommended to carefully study the schedules and flight options to choose the most optimal and convenient route for yourself.

The main points for flights from Germany to Cambodia are Munich and Frankfurt airports.

The most convenient regular flights from Munich to Cambodia are operated by:

• Singapore Airlines with a transfer in Singapore
• EVA Air with a transfer in Taipei (Taiwan)
• Thai Airways and Lufthansa with a transfer in Bangkok (Thailand)

For a flight from Frankfurt, at least two transfers will be required. The main airlines operating such routes with transit stops are Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Thai Airways. These airlines offer various options for connecting flights with hub cities such as Singapore, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Bangkok.

It is recommended to verify the exact flight schedules and ticket prices directly with the airlines or through travel agencies, depending on the chosen method of purchasing tickets.

It is also important to consider that the prices for airline tickets from Germany to Cambodia generally increase as the departure date approaches. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of purchasing airline tickets well in advance, at the planning stage of the trip.

For most foreign nationals traveling through Cambodia, a transit visa is not required if they remain in the international transit area and do not leave the airport. However, if you have a long layover and plan to leave the airport to explore the sights or stay overnight in the city, you will need to apply for a visa.

We recommend checking the requirements specifically for your nationality and route in advance, as visa requirements may change.

For convenient travel to Cambodia, as well as transits and connecting flights to other countries, we suggest familiarizing yourself with information about the main international airports of the country.

Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH)

This is the largest international airport in the country, located approximately 10 kilometers from the capital of Cambodia. Phnom Penh Airport plays a key role in serving international flights to the country and serves about 3 million passengers a year. The terminals are equipped with the necessary infrastructure for passenger convenience.

Siem Reap International Airport (REP)

The second most important international airport in Cambodia, Siem Reap. It is located about 7 kilometers from the city of Siem Reap, near the world-famous Angkor temple complex. The airport is regularly upgraded and expanded to meet the growing demand for air transport to the Angkor temple region.

Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS)

Sihanoukville is the third largest international airport in the country. It is located in the resort city of Sihanoukville on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand and serves both international and domestic flights.

All major international airports in Cambodia have equipped transit areas for passengers making connections. They include waiting rooms, dining facilities, duty-free shops, and other amenities.

Current details about the infrastructure and services in the airport transit areas are recommended to be clarified with our managers before the trip.

Main directions of the embassy's activities:

• The embassy acts as the official diplomatic representative of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Kingdom of Cambodia.
• Providing consular services to German citizens, supporting and protecting the rights and interests of German citizens in Cambodia.
• Facilitating the development of bilateral relations between Germany and Cambodia, strengthening political, economic, cultural, and other ties between the countries.
• Supporting joint projects and cooperation programs, participating in the implementation of various initiatives aimed at developing interaction between Germany and Cambodia.
• Informing about politics, culture, economy, and other aspects of life in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Address: No. 76-78 Yugoslavia Street (= street 214), Phnom Penh, 120308

Mailing address: PO Box 60, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia

Phone: +855 23 216193, +855 23 216381
Fax: +49 30 1817-67174

Cambodia offers travelers a wide range of opportunities for great recreation and unforgettable adventures. From relaxed beach vacations to thrilling expeditions and informative tours, Cambodia has something to surprise every visitor. Its diverse landscapes, rich history and culture, as well as hospitable people make it an increasingly popular tourist destination.