Timor-Leste

Quick Overview

Capital: Dili
Population: 1.269 million
Official languages: Tetum & Portuguese
Time zone: East Timor Time (TLT)
Emergency #: 122
Vaccinations required: Yes
Risk of malaria: Yes
Climate Info

Timor-Leste: Travel Health Information

Popular travel destinations in Timor-Leste (East Timor) include Atauro Island, Cristo Rei, and Xanana Cultural Centre.

Healthcare

The standards for patient care and medical services in Timor-Leste may differ from your home country. Timor-Leste has both public and private health sectors, with private sectors located mostly in urban areas. Medical care is extremely limited throughout the country and access to healthcare is a major concern, particularly in rural areas. Compared to international standards, there are a high number of physicians, but an inadequate number of nurses and medical specialists.

In the event of a medical emergency, contact your travel health insurance company immediately. Hospitals typically require upfront payment in cash, regardless if you have travel health insurance. Due to limited healthcare services, medical emergencies typically require evacuation to Singapore or Australia. You should ensure you have accessible funds to cover upfront fees and adequate travel health insurance, including evacuation. Before you depart, check with your insurer about the extent of their coverage in Timor-Leste.

Pharmacies and medications

Pharmacies are not well stocked and essential medications may be unavailable or in short supply. Drugs that usually require a prescription may be dispensed without one. However, you should not take any medication without first consulting a healthcare practitioner. Unqualified staff can dispense medication and there is limited quality control of medications so pharmacies may sell expired, counterfeit or fake medications. 

If you are travelling with medication, check with Timor-Leste's embassy, consulate, or Ministry of Health for details on medication allowances and restrictions. If your medication is a narcotic or psychotropic, you can review Timor-Leste's regulations on the International Narcotics Control Board. Note that these sources may provide incomplete or out-of-date information.

Road safety

Roads in Timor-Leste are poorly maintained. Ambulance services are not reliable and public transport such as taxis and buses are not maintained to safety standards. There is a seat belt law applied to all occupants of a vehicle. Driving occurs on the left-hand side of the road.


  • Holloway, K. (2012). Timor-Leste: Pharmaceuticals in Health Care Delivery. New Delhi: WHO Regional Office for South East Asia.
  • Timor-Leste Ministry of Health. (2011). National Health Sector Strategic Plan, 2011-2030. Dili: Timor-Leste.
  • World Health Organization. Global Health Observatory (GHO) data: Timor-Leste.
  • World Health Organization. Country office for Timor-Leste. (2016). Country Cooperation Strategy, Timor-Leste 2015-2019.
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