Just Landed in Chad? Your First 7 Days

Mobile data in Chad is expensive, slow and unreliable by global standards, and outages are frequent. 3G is the norm with limited 4G in parts of N'Djamena and the larger southern towns; away from cities coverage thins fast. Authorities have cut or throttled internet during periods of political tension, so never rely on a single connection for anything critical.

Typical cost: A registered prepaid SIM costs roughly 1,000-2,000 CFA. Data is bought in bundles that cap out at a few gigabytes, with monthly spend commonly running 10,000-25,000 CFA; heavy users pay considerably more. Many expats keep two SIMs on different networks to hedge against dead zones and outages.

Chad uses the Central African CFA franc (XAF), shared across the CEMAC region and pegged to the euro at a fixed 655.957 CFA to one euro, which makes budgeting from euros predictable. It is overwhelmingly a cash economy: cards work only at a handful of upscale hotels and are not usable day to day, so plan your life around physical CFA notes.

Opening an account: Ecobank, Société Générale Tchad, UBA and Commercial Bank Chad (CBT) open accounts for foreign residents, but expect to provide a residence permit, proof of address, an employer letter and references, and a process that takes weeks. Many short-term expats simply keep funds abroad and draw cash as needed, since day-to-day banking adds little convenience.

Cash: Cash rules everything, so carry a mix of small notes and coins for taxis, markets and daily purchases, and never assume a vendor can change a large bill. Mobile money via Airtel Money and Moov Money is growing fast for transfers, airtime and some bill payments, and is worth setting up early. Western Union and MoneyGram handle most international transfers into and out of the country.

Tipping: Tipping is not obligatory and is not part of everyday local culture. Rounding up or leaving 5-10% at restaurants used by expats is appreciated, and a small tip for porters, guards and drivers is customary and goodwill well spent.

Foreigners staying beyond a short visit must obtain a residence permit (carte de séjour) and register their presence with the immigration and national police (Sûreté) authorities. In practice this is almost always initiated and steered by your employer, sponsor or organisation, who deal with the relevant offices on your behalf. Bring your passport, visa, employer letter, proof of address and passport photographs, and expect a slow, in-person, paperwork-heavy process. Keep copies of everything you submit, and do not let your entry visa lapse before the permit is in hand.

Deadline: Within the validity window of your entry visa, typically the first one to three months of your stay; confirm the exact deadline with your sponsor, as overstaying attracts fines and complications.

Where: Handled through the national police / immigration (Sûreté Nationale) and the relevant ministry offices in N'Djamena, usually with your employer or sponsor managing the appointments.

N'Djamena has no metro, no metered taxis and no formal ride-hailing app. Getting around means shared yellow taxis that run fixed routes, motorcycle taxis known locally as clandos, and minibuses, while most expats rely on a private car with a trusted driver arranged through work. Roads are dusty, often unlit and congested, so night travel between areas or towns is best avoided.

From the airport: NDJ airport is only about 3 km from central N'Djamena, so transfers are short. Arrange a hotel or employer pickup, or negotiate a fixed cash fare (commonly a few thousand CFA) with a taxi before you set off; there are no meters and no app-based cars. Intercity travel is mostly by 4x4, chartered flight or organised convoy rather than public bus.

Most expats rent within a few secure central N'Djamena neighbourhoods such as Klemat, Béguinage and the centre, almost always found through employers, colleagues or word of mouth rather than listing sites. Serviced or compound housing with a generator, water tank and often a guard is the standard expectation for foreign staff, and many postings come with housing arranged.

Typical rent: Furnished expat-standard housing in N'Djamena commonly runs from around 400,000 CFA to well over 1,500,000 CFA per month depending on size, security and whether power and water backup are included. More local accommodation costs far less but rarely meets expat expectations for reliability.

Deposit norm: Landlords typically ask for several months' rent up front, often three to six months, paid in cash, and may expect a further advance for the year. Negotiate what the rent includes (generator fuel, water, guard) in writing, as these add materially to the real cost.

Chad's public health system is very limited and under-equipped, and serious cases are routinely evacuated by air to Europe or to better-resourced hospitals in neighbouring countries. Malaria is a year-round risk, so take prophylaxis seriously, and bring a personal supply of any essential medication because pharmacy stock is inconsistent.

How to access it: For routine care, expats use a small number of private clinics in N'Djamena that are used to foreign patients and expect cash payment at the point of service; organisations such as International SOS coordinate care and evacuations for many companies and NGOs. Ask your employer or embassy which clinic and which assistance provider they use before you need one.

Insurance: Comprehensive international health insurance with guaranteed medical evacuation covering Central Africa is not optional here, it is essential before and throughout your stay. Confirm the policy is active on arrival, carry the certificate and the 24-hour assistance number, and understand exactly how an evacuation would be triggered.

• Greet people warmly before making any request; a handshake and a few words in French or Chadian Arabic are expected and open almost every interaction.
• Dress modestly, as Chad is largely Muslim in the north and centre; covered shoulders and knees are the norm, and this matters more for women in public.
• Use your right hand for eating, giving and receiving, since the left hand is considered unclean, especially when sharing food.
• Accept hospitality graciously; being offered tea or a meal is a mark of respect, and refusing outright can cause offence.
• Be patient and indirect in dealings; rushing officials or being visibly frustrated slows things down and damages relationships.
• Be discreet with photography and always ask before photographing people; never photograph government buildings, the airport, military or police.
• Learn a handful of Arabic greetings even if you speak French, as it signals real respect and eases daily life in markets and neighbourhoods.

• Public criticism of the government, the president or the security forces can attract serious trouble; keep political opinions private, including online.
• Ramadan reshapes daily rhythms; avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight in observant areas, and expect shorter working hours.
• Alcohol is available but sensitive; drink only in appropriate venues and never in public or in conservative Muslim neighbourhoods.
• Public displays of affection are frowned upon, and LGBT travellers should be aware of a deeply conservative environment and legal risk.
• Do not discuss or photograph anything related to the military or ongoing security incidents, which is treated as a serious matter.