taiwan tourism corona

Taiwan Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to Taiwan

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Open with restrictions

Recommended in enclosed environments and public transportation.

Taiwan entry details and exceptions

Ready to travel, find flights to taiwan, find stays in taiwan, explore more countries on travel restrictions map, destinations you can travel to now, dominican republic, netherlands, philippines, puerto rico, switzerland, united arab emirates, united kingdom, know when to go.

Sign up for email alerts as countries begin to open - choose the destinations you're interested in so you're in the know.

Can I travel to Taiwan from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Taiwan.

Can I travel to Taiwan if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Taiwan without restrictions.

Can I travel to Taiwan without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Taiwan without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter Taiwan?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Taiwan.

Can I travel to Taiwan without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in Taiwan?

Mask usage in Taiwan is recommended in enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in Taiwan?

Restaurants in Taiwan are open with restrictions. Bars in Taiwan are .

• My View My View
• Following Following
• Saved Saved

Taiwan eyes mid-October end to COVID quarantine on road to re-opening

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Reporting by Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Kenneth Maxwell

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

World Chevron

Explainer: What are the EU's top jobs and how will they be filled?

European Union leaders are set to start bargaining over top EU institution jobs after the European Parliament election concluded on Sunday with gains for the centre-right and far-right.

Tourism after COVID-19: The New Normal Tourism Action Plan

• Tourism after COVID-19

The New Normal Tourism Action Plan

The end of the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a key development phase for Taiwan's tourism industry. In line with the "2050 Net-zero Emissions" goal underlined by the President at a sustainability summit, Taiwan's post-pandemic tourism strategy will advance toward sustainable and green tourism with a three-pronged approach involving "product optimization, upgraded service, and strategic development."

Product Optimization

Digital transformation, {{ digitalitem.title }}, {{ trainingitem.title }}, hotel branding, {{ hotelitem.title }}.

{{ hotelItem.content }}

Green Tourism Certification

{{ certifictionitem.title }}, upgrading services, {{ proitem.title }}, {{ eventsitem.title }}, strategic layout.

In response the reopening of the border, the Tourism Bureau convened a "Border Reopening Preparatory Work Study Taskforce" joined by industry insiders and relevant government agencies to discuss related measures after the border reopening. In May 2022, the bureau arranged a "Pandemic Prevention Training Symposium for Travel Industry Practitioners, Tour Guides, and Group Leaders" to enhance pandemic prevention and post-pandemic reception abilities of tourism professionals. Following the resumption of cross-border group tours on October 13, 2022, assistance was provided to travel agencies, regional tourism associations, tour guides, and group leaders in holding "Inbound and Outbound Guidance Seminar Courses." Online courses were also offered via the "Tourism E-learning Academy" platform. More than 20,000 travel industry practitioners, tour guides, and tour group leaders completed training courses, improving the service quality and adaptability of the tourism reception workforce. The following strategies were proposed to market domestic and international tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic：

Boosting Domestic Travel: Let's Go! Domestic Tourism Subsidy Program

Between July 15 and December 15, 2022, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau launched the "Let's Go! Domestic Tourism Subsidy Program" to encourage local residents to travel after the COVID-19 pandemic and thereby stimulate domestic demand and tourism industry momentum. The program offered group travel incentives to motivate travel agencies to create premium group travel packages. A total of 2,674 travel agencies arranged more than 80,000 group tours that attracted approximately 1.54 million travelers and generated around NT$10.7 billion in tourism revenue. The program also subsidized weekday (Sunday to Thursday) hotel stays by independent travelers. Subsidies were provided for approximately 3.58 million guests (1.79 million rooms) at about 9,850 participating establishments, creating over NT$16.3 billion in tourism revenue. In addition, the program offered discounted admission at 19 participating amusement parks, attracting more than 1.45 million visitors and generating NT$5.7 billion in tourism revenue. Overall, the program stimulated an estimated 6.57 million visits and generated about NT$32.7 billion in tourism benefits.

{{ subsidyItem.title }}

International marketing: accelerating the recovery and growth of international markets.

The Tourism Bureau rolled out a marketing campaign to raise the visibility of Taiwan tourism among potential visitors, with priority on the main source markets for visitors prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on surveys of tourism market trends and the characteristics of visitor source markets, these campaigns highlighted themes such as ecology, culture, cuisine, and LOHAS living (such as water, mountain, railway, and bicycle travel), romantic escapes, hot springs, flower appreciation, and shopping. The campaigns were delivered via video, digital, online, print, and outdoor advertising channels. The bureau is bolstering online marketing and physical events in partnership with online travel agencies (OTAs) to restore and grow Taiwan's inbound travel market.

International marketing focused on the following eight areas：

{{ growthItem.title }}

Advertisement

Supported by

‘This Day Was Bound to Come’: Taiwan Confronts a Covid Flare-Up

The island’s border controls had shielded it from the worst of the pandemic. But new variants and slow vaccinations gave the virus an opening.

• Share full article

By Raymond Zhong and Amy Chang Chien

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Closed schools and restaurants offering takeout only. Lines around the block at testing sites. Politicians on television urging the public to stay calm.

If the scenes around Taiwan this week have a distinctly early pandemic feel, it is because the coronavirus is only now washing up on the island’s shores in force. A crush of new infections has brought a swift end to the Covid-free normality that residents had been enjoying for more than a year.

By shutting its borders early and requiring two-week quarantines of nearly everyone who arrives from overseas, Taiwan had been managing to keep life on the island mostly unfettered. But all that changed after enough infections slipped past those high walls to cause community outbreaks.

For most of the past week, the government has ordered residents to stay home whenever possible and to wear masks outdoors, though it has not declared a total lockdown. Local authorities are ramping up rapid testing, though some health experts worry that too few tests are being done to stay ahead of the virus’s spread.

Taiwan’s latest numbers — between 200 and 350 new infections a day for the past several days, and a few deaths — are still low by the standards of the hardest-hit countries. On Thursday, it reported 286 new local infections. But the uptick has jolted a population that, until last Saturday, had recorded only 1,290 Covid-19 cases and 12 deaths during the entire pandemic .

Adding to the concern: Only around 1 percent of the island’s 23.5 million residents have been vaccinated against the virus so far.

“This day was bound to come sooner or later,” said Daniel Fu-chang Tsai, a professor at the National Taiwan University College of Medicine. The slow pace of immunizations combined with more transmissible variants to create a perfect “window,” Professor Tsai said, for the island to experience a flare-up.

It did not help, he said, that more people had been leaving their masks at home and abandoning social distancing.

“It’s like Swiss cheese,” Professor Tsai said. “There were a few holes in the front and a big hole in the back. But this time, the blade happened to pierce straight through.”

Before this month, Taiwan had spent the bulk of the pandemic happily shielded from its worst ravages .

Eight months passed last year without a single case of community transmission until an infection in December snapped the streak. Even after that, local infections cropped up only sporadically for months.

Then the tide shifted — gradually, then suddenly.

On April 14 , the government began allowing crew members for Taiwanese airlines to quarantine at home for just three days after arriving on long-haul flights, down from the previous requirement of five days.

A week later, China Airlines, Taiwan’s flag carrier, told the government that one of its pilots had tested positive in Australia. Health officials began expanding testing for airline workers. Soon, more pilots and their family members were testing positive, as were employees at a quarantine hotel .

On May 10, a pilot who had been in the United States tested positive after completing his three-day quarantine, but not before he had visited a pub and a restaurant in Taipei .

All China Airlines crew members were ordered into rolling 14-day home quarantines . But it was probably too late. A cluster of infections began to emerge among workers and patrons at so-called hostess bars in Taipei’s Wanhua District.

By the end of the week, daily case numbers had soared into the triple digits.

So far, the search for new infections has been concentrated in the populous cities of Taipei and New Taipei, where more than 1,600 people can receive rapid testing each day. Hospitals are also providing slower testing services.

Dr. Chiang Kuan-yu, 37, a physician at Taipei City Hospital, went to Wanhua District on Monday to help run a testing site there. He said there had been big crowds over the weekend, when the case numbers first started to rise. Some people had to wait an extra day to get tested.

“Now there are more resources for testing, so we can keep up better,” Dr. Chiang said.

Officials are trying to use test centers efficiently by testing only those who are showing symptoms or may have come in contact with infected people.

Chen Shih-chung , Taiwan’s health minister and head of its Central Epidemic Command Center, has urged those with no Covid-19 symptoms and no history of contact to not even come to testing sites, lest they become infected there.

“This only will slow down our search for possible spreaders,” Mr. Chen said in a news briefing . “Don’t go there thinking, ‘Oh, maybe I’m infected, maybe it’s best that I get tested.’ You absolutely must not come.”

But Dr. Wang Jen-hsien, an infectious disease specialist at China Medical University Hospital in the central Taiwanese city of Taichung, called this an excessively “frugal” approach. He urged the government to consider locking down Wanhua District and testing all residents.

“Before, Taiwan was a safe society. If you tested randomly back then, of course you would endanger public health,” Dr. Wang said. “But now if it’s a high-risk zone, then you can’t do things this way. Your way of thinking has to change.”

Taiwan received its first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in early March , and it has since been gradually immunizing health workers and other priority groups . Officials say doses of the Moderna vaccine will arrive soon. Several Taiwanese companies are also developing vaccines.

Taiwanese authorities began working with domestic vaccine producers in January 2020, after the coronavirus’s genetic sequence was made available and before the Chinese city of Wuhan went into lockdown.

“Taiwan got started extremely early,” said Dr. Ho Mei-shang, a research fellow at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at Academia Sinica in Taipei who was involved with the government’s vaccine efforts. “We said at the time, ‘Whatever the vaccine ends up being, we want to make it ourselves as quickly as possible.’”

But Taiwan’s insistence on developing and producing its own immunizations may have made officials less quick to snap up overseas vaccines when those started becoming available, Dr. Ho said.

“And then,” she said, “by the beginning of this year, when the pandemic was so severe in so many countries, we just said we’ll wait a little.”

Even after the AstraZeneca vaccine first became available in Taiwan, the low case count meant many people felt no urgent need to get immunized.

Still, Dr. Ho said she was heartened to see how quickly people in Taiwan were adjusting to the new restrictions on daily life, even after such a carefree past year.

Recently, she went for a run at 10 p.m. and forgot to wear her mask at first. But she noticed that even at that hour, everyone else who was out walking and exercising was masked up.

“This is a state of affairs,” she said, “that really sets Taiwan apart.”

Raymond Zhong is a technology reporter. Before joining The Times in 2017, he covered India's fast-moving economy from New Delhi for The Wall Street Journal. More about Raymond Zhong

Amy Chang Chien covers news in mainland China and Taiwan. She is based in Taipei. More about Amy Chang Chien

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Register to vote Register by 18 June to vote in the General Election on 4 July.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport , for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Taiwan set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Taipei Representative Office in London or the Taipei Representative Office in Edinburgh . Entry procedures are being regularly reviewed, so may change at short notice.

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Taiwan.

Epidemic prevention period

When you arrive in Taiwan, the authorities advise that you observe a 7-day self-initiated epidemic prevention period, but you no longer need a negative test result before going out. The authorities are no longer providing free rapid test kits on arrival. You can use your booked accommodation and you can move freely during the 7 days.

This self-health management scheme is provided as guidance by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), and members of the public are free to decide whether to follow it. Please consult the Centres for Disease Control website for the latest guidance.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Taiwan, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You can spend up to 90 days in Taiwan without a visa. You can extend this by a further 90 days once you have arrived in Taiwan. You can get more information on entering Taiwan without a visa (‘visa-exempt entry’) from the Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events

If you plan to stay in Taiwan for longer than 180 days, you must have a visa before you arrive. If you stay beyond the time given on your visa, you will get a fine and risk being deported from Taiwan.

There are specific rules for naturalised British citizens born in the People’s Republic of China and holders of British National (Overseas) passports wishing to enter under the visa waiver scheme.

You should contact the Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs or Taiwan National Immigration Agency for further information.

Applying for a visa

If you are in the UK and need a visa, apply at your nearest Taipei Representative Office . If you are in Taiwan, apply through the Taiwan National Immigration Agency .

Alien Resident Certificate and Alien Permanent Resident Certificate holders

If you already hold a resident certificate, you do not need a visa to enter Taiwan.

If you hold a Youth Mobility Scheme visa for Taiwan , you can apply to switch to a working visa or a visa to study a degree course at undergraduate level or higher.

Submit your application to the  Bureau of Consular Affairs  for consideration. You can then apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) at your local  National Immigration Agency (NIA) Service Center  once your application has been approved. Contact the  Bureau of Consular Affairs  or  National Immigration Agency  for further information.

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Taiwan guide .   

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Taiwan . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. Contact the Customs Administration for further information.

Animal products

Do not bring animal products into Taiwan without authorisation. If you are caught with any animal products, you may face a heavy fine. Customs officials have increased inspections due to concerns about African Swine Fever Virus in pork products, particularly from the People’s Republic of China.

Bringing money into Taiwan

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is higher than 100,000 New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) or 10,000 US dollars. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave. Contact the Customs Administration for further information.

International bank transfers can be slow. Most of the ATMs in 7-11 stores accept international cards. Other ATMs may accept them, but not all do.

American Express, Citibank and Thomas Cook branches accept their own-brand travellers cheques. You may need your receipt as well as your passport when you cash them.

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab) .

After early success, Taiwan struggles to exit ‘zero COVID’ policy

The self-ruled island’s lack of exposure to COVID-19 has left policymakers hesitant to reopen to the world.

Taipei, Taiwan – Taiwan’s swift decision to shut its borders during the early days of the pandemic earned it a low death rate and sense of normalcy that made it the envy of the world.

Nearly two years later, the self-ruled island may be a victim of its early success, some experts say, as health authorities continue to pursue an isolationist “zero COVID-19” policy despite the widespread availability of vaccines.

Keep reading

Germany’s covid death toll passes 100,000 amid record infections germany’s covid death toll passes ..., covid orphans: a pandemic within a pandemic covid orphans: a pandemic within a ..., what do we know about the new covid strain found in south africa what do we know about the new covid ..., india to tighten testing for tourists as new covid variant found india to tighten testing for tourists as ....

“People in Taiwan have been – let me use a strong word – ‘spoiled’ with the good life and with that there’s a low tolerance on any community outbreak,” Chunhuei Chi, a professor and director at the Center for Global Health at Oregon State University, told Al Jazeera.

Taiwan’s border restrictions remain some of the strictest in the world, requiring even vaccinated arrivals, including citizens, to undergo 14 days of hotel quarantine – although Hong Kong and mainland China maintain an even stricter regime of 21-day hotel confinement.

In May, authorities closed the border to anyone without citizenship or an existing alien residency certificate – the equivalent of a US green card – creating a headache for foreigners with job offers or school placements.

Although authorities recently began allowing the return of foreign workers, students, academics, and professionals holding a three-year “gold card” visa, the window for entry will close again in mid-December as Taiwan prepares for an influx of citizens from overseas before Lunar New Year on February 1.

In some cases, foreigners already living in Taiwan have been forced to leave indefinitely as their visa requires an exit and re-entry for renewal. In other cases, foreign residents face the prospect of living under an unclear visa amnesty while COVID-19-related rules appear to change on a case-by-case basis.

Daniel Johnson, a British-South African tech entrepreneur who moved to Taiwan a year ago on a working holiday visa, is among those stuck in limbo.

Johnson, who is squarely in line with the kind of expatriate the government says it wants to attract, must apply for 30-day “extensions” each month. Each time he has had to tell officials he does not feel safe returning to the UK and give up his residency certificate and national health insurance card, which most foreigners are eligible to apply for after six months of continuous residence.

“Getting a visa upon arrival was fine enough, the difficult thing was finding out the updates on the different visas, because each one had its own nuances and things had changed,” Johnson told Al Jazeera. “But the documentation didn’t represent that. I kind of assumed it would be multilingual documentation, and there was in some cases, but in a lot of cases it didn’t exist at all or it was old.”

Like many foreigners, Johnson has found that immigration and consular officials do not have the leeway or information to navigate COVID-related changes, often getting different answers to questions depending on the day.

In some cases, the border has been quietly opened to foreign professionals, executives and specialists who successfully applied for an emergency travel exemption through their company, according to industry groups such as the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham).

These exceptional visa approvals following special application and case-by-case review have been used across a range of industries for specialists needed on site in Taiwan, as well as by executives on rotation, according to AmCham President Andrew Wylegala, who described the system as “welcome” but not ideal.

“There is concern that it is a little bit ad hoc, just because it may be different from different sector to sector, the timelines may not be completely clear and the listed criteria are somewhat vague, or the process hard to work through,” Wylegala said.

Wylegala said in the long term Taiwan could lose out on business and trade deals to its neighbours that reopened.

‘Conservative mode’

Although COVID-19 has affected smaller businesses and sectors like tourism, Taiwan’s economy overall has seen strong growth over the past year led by its semiconductor and tech industry.

“People do not see that this is damaging to our economy as a whole, just business travellers, tourists, people who can afford to travel,” Hong-Jen Chang, who served as director of Taiwan’s CDC from 1999 to 2000, told Al Jazeera.

With a national referendum looming in December and local elections in 2022 for key posts like the mayor of Taipei City, the government is seen to have little incentive to open up as the media and Taiwan’s main opposition political party continue to highlight the dangers of the virus.

“There is a perfect Taiwanese idiom for this: ‘The performers want to end the show, but not the audience,'” said Chi, the Oregon State University professor. “Even if the policymakers are thinking and planning about relaxing and opening up, knowing that the audience, the Taiwanese people, have extremely low tolerance for any outbreak – even a minor outbreak – tends to push them into a more conservative mode.”

Even after a major outbreak in May , the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths remain among the lowest in the world at less than 17,000 and 848, respectively, according to the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

“What happened in May and June in Taiwan from the international standard is very mild, but was considered very serious in Taiwan,” Chi said. “This public sentiment put undue pressure on policymakers, and on politicians.”

After an initial shortage of vaccines earlier this year due to delays by the international vaccine initiative COVAX, Taiwan has slowly made up for its shortfall through donations from the US, Japan, Lithuania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic and the production of its domestic Medigin vaccine.

Vaccination rates have hit 77 percent for the first dose and about 50 percent for both, according to Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center.

Despite being on track to reach near maximum vaccine coverage within a few weeks, authorities have given little indication that reopening is on the cards anytime soon.

Chang, the former CDC director, said Taiwan would eventually need to open up but officials were in a difficult position as they weighed health concerns against the economy and public opinion.

Authorities could relax some travel restrictions by ramping up testing of arrivals from overseas, he said. But that would involve creating an even more complex system that might be difficult to communicate to the public.

“When you say one case is not tolerated, it’s difficult to design a system,” Chang said. “It’s doable, but the [government] may not have the support of the public. So that’s the problem. Because we are a democracy, right? Not like China.”

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

Travel Advisory July 11, 2023

Taiwan - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

Exercise normal precautions in Taiwan.

Read the  Taiwan International Travel Information  page for additional information on travel to Taiwan.

If you decide to travel to Taiwan:

• Follow the U.S. Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Review the  security report for Taiwan  from the Overseas Security Advisory Council.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Embassy Message

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Valid throughout duration of stay

1 page per entry/exit stamp

Not required for stay of less than 90 days

None required. Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends travelers to Taiwan be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. Vaccination information can be found here .

Declare cash amounts over 100,000 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD), foreign currencies over 10,000 USD, or over 20,000 Chinese Yuan (RMB). Customs details are here.

Embassies and Consulates

The American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei Main Office 100 Jinhu Road, Neihu District Taipei 114017, Taiwan Telephone:  +886-2-2162 2000 ext. 2306 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +886-2-2162 2000 Fax:  +886-2-2162 2239 Email:   [email protected]

The American Institute in Taiwan, Kaohsiung Branch Office 5th Floor, No. 88, Chenggong 2nd Road, Qianzhen District Kaohsiung 806618, Taiwan Telephone:   +886-7-335 5006 Emergency After-Hours Telephone   +886-2-2162 2000 Fax:  +886-7-338-0551 Email:   [email protected]

The United States maintains unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation, which performs U.S. citizen and consular services similar to those at embassies.

Schedule routine American Citizen Services appointments online. Appointments are available Monday through Thursday except on Taiwan and U.S. holidays .

Destination Description

See the U.S. Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Taiwan for information on U.S.-Taiwan relations.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

If you wish to enter Taiwan as a tourist or short-term visitor (less than 90 days), you do not need a visa. No extensions or changes of status are permitted. For visa-waiver travel, your U.S. passport must be valid through the number of days you intend to stay. Six-month passport validity is not required.

If you plan to stay longer than 90 days or plan to work or reside in Taiwan, you need a Taiwan visa prior to traveling. Visit the website for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the United States for the most current visa information.

Taiwan and the United States both allow dual nationality. If you have dual Taiwan-U.S. nationality, you must enter/exit Taiwan on your Taiwan passport and enter/exit the United States on your U.S. passport.

See our website for information on  dual nationality  or the  prevention of international child abduction .

Also see our  Customs Information page .

Taiwan does not have any specific COVID-19 entry requirements for U.S. citizens.

Safety and Security

Potential for Civil Disturbances: Taiwan enjoys a vibrant democracy, and both spontaneous and planned demonstrations occur.  Monitor media coverage of local and regional events and avoid public demonstrations.

Potential for Typhoons and Earthquakes:  During the typhoon season (May through November),  Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau  issues typhoon warnings an average of five times a year (of which, three to four normally make landfall) and heavy rainstorm alerts more frequently. Taiwan also has severe earthquakes. The most recent severe earthquakes included one that caused 2,000 deaths in 1999 and another that caused 117 deaths with widespread damage in 2016.

Disaster Preparedness:

• Follow the guidance of local authorities in the event of a disaster. See the National Fire Agency’s page for information on “ Disaster Responses .”
• See the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website  on how to prepare for an emergency.  
• See also the Crisis and  Disaster  Abroad page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
• When an emergency arises, we will post up-to-date instructions specific to the circumstances of the event on our  website  and send messages to U.S. citizens who have registered through the Department of State’s  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .

Crime:  There is minimal street crime in Taiwan, and violent crime is rare. Take normal safety precautions, such as avoiding travel after dark or in deserted/unfamiliar areas.  

See the U.S. Department of State's  and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:  U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should contact the American Institute in Taiwan for assistance at +886-2-2162 2000. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should also seek medical attention and report to the police as soon as possible for help.

• Dial 113 to reach the Taipei Center for the Prevention of Domestic violence and Sexual Assault.
• Dial 110 to report crimes to the local police.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See the U.S. Department of State’s website on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas , as well as AIT’s webpage for  local resources .

• assist you in reporting a crime to the police.
• assist you with emergency needs that arise from the crime, such as finding shelter, food, or clothing.
• provide information to facilitate access to appropriate medical care.
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
• provide a list of local attorneys.
• provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States .
• explain financial assistance options, such as assistance available to return to the United States.
• replace a lost or stolen passport.

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence should call 113 for emergency assistance and dial 110 for an island-wide toll-free hotline. Dial 113 to reach the Taipei Center for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may also contact the American Institute in Taiwan for assistance at +886-2-2162 2000.

Domestic violence is considered a crime in Taiwan. Report to police and keep written records of all incidents. Preserve evidence such as medical records documenting injuries, photos of injuries, police records, and damaged clothing and weapons used against you. If you have a court-issued restraining order, present this to the police for use in the arrest of the offender.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:   You are subject to local laws.  If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. See  crimes against minors abroad  and the  U.S. Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison authorities to notify the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) immediately. 

• The American Institute can provide a list of English-speaking lawyers .  
• Taiwan authorities typically do not permit foreigners accused of crimes to leave Taiwan while legal proceedings are ongoing. 
• Penalties for illegal drug possession, use, or trafficking are severe, with long jail sentences and heavy fines.
• Taiwan also has the death penalty for certain violent crimes and drug offenses.  
• See the U.S. Department of State’s  webpage  for further information. 

Labor Disputes:

• Avoid labor disputes by establishing all terms and conditions of employment or sponsorship in the labor contract at the beginning of your employment.
• If the dispute cannot be resolved directly with your employer, the American Institute can provide  a list of English-speaking lawyers .

Customs Regulations:  Taiwan has strict regulations on importing/exporting firearms, antiquities, medications, currency, and ivory. Contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, D.C., or the nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the United States for specific information  regarding customs requirements . See also  customs regulations .

Dual Nationality and Compulsory Military Service:  Taiwan has compulsory military service for Taiwan males between the ages of 18 and 36.  This includes dual U.S.-Taiwan citizens who enter Taiwan on their U.S. passports . Before you travel, contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, D.C., or the nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the United States to determine your military service status. 

Faith-Based Travelers:   See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Reports
• Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

Health Screening Process:  To detect and prevent the spread of diseases, Taiwan scans the body temperature of all arriving passengers with an infrared thermal apparatus. Symptomatic passengers are required to fill out a form and may need to give an onsite specimen or see local health authorities. See also the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website .

Judicial Assistance:  Authorities on Taiwan provide judicial assistance in response to letters rogatory from foreign courts in accordance with Taiwan's "Law Governing Extension of Assistance to Foreign Courts." For further information, please go to the  American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)’s website .

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) rights events in Taiwan. Taiwan law prohibits education and employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. On May 24, 2019, Taiwan legalized same sex marriages upon registration with a local household registration office in Taiwan. Same sex marriages from other countries are recognized in Taiwan. LGBTQI+ individuals may still face lack of tolerance, particularly in areas outside the capital and largest city Taipei. See  Section 6 of our Human Rights Practices in the Human Rights Report for Taiwan  and read our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information page .

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:  Taiwan law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities and sets minimum fines for violations. By law, new public buildings, facilities, and transportation equipment must be accessible to persons with disabilities. See  Persons with Disabilities in the Human Rights Report for Taiwan (2022) .

Students: See our  U.S. Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Taiwan has modern medical facilities, with state-of-the-art equipment available at many hospitals and clinics. Physicians are well trained, and many have studied in the United States and speak English. Hospital nursing services provide medication and wound care but generally do not provide the daily patient care functions found in U.S. hospitals. Taiwan requires masks in healthcare facilities and ambulances to prevent the spread of diseases, including COVID-19.

For emergency services in Taiwan, dial 119.

Ambulance services are

• widely available;
• have emergency equipment and supplies;
• and are staffed by trained medical personnel.

We do not pay medical bills . Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Taiwan hospitals and doctors do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare to ensure the medication is legal in Taiwan.

Vaccinations: Be up to date on all routine vaccinations recommended by the U.S. CDC . Vaccinations are available at all major Taiwan hospitals.

Dengue Fever:  In recent years, Taiwan has seen cases of dengue fever, a virus common in subtropical regions that is spread through mosquito bites. There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent dengue. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. For information on how to reduce the risk of contracting dengue, please visit  the U.S. CDC website .

COVID-19: Major Taiwan healthcare facilities have COVID-19 testing capabilities and can administer FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines.

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The American Institute in Taiwan does not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

For further health information :

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Road conditions, lighting, and traffic safety in cities and on major highways are generally good. Roads in major cities are generally congested. Be alert for the many scooters and motorcycles that weave in and out of traffic. Motor scooters are common throughout the island. Be alert for scooters when stepping out of public buses or exiting a car. Exercise caution when crossing streets because many drivers do not respect the pedestrian's right of way. Be especially cautious when driving on mountain roads, which are typically narrow, winding, and poorly banked, and which may be impassable after heavy rains. For example, Taiwan’s central cross-island highway is meandering and often has poor visibility. Exercise caution when driving on highways.

Please see AIT’s website for more details on  Driving in Taiwan .

Traffic Laws:  Passengers in all vehicles, including taxis, are required by law to wear seatbelts. When exiting a vehicle, you are legally required to ensure that no motor scooter, bicycle, or other vehicle is approaching from behind before opening the door. You will be fully liable for any injuries or damages if you fail to do so. Do not turn right on a red traffic signal. It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free kit in Taiwan. The legal limit for alcohol in the bloodstream of drivers in Taiwan is 15 mg per 100 ml of blood (0.03% BAC). This limit is strictly enforced. It is useful to have proof of car insurance and proof of ownership of the vehicle. On-the-spot fines are very common for minor traffic offences in Taiwan and are fixed for each offense. You will be told where to pay the fines and within what period of time. For more serious driving offenses, you will receive a court appearance.

Standard international driving laws apply with a few exceptions:

• You must have a warning triangle in your car to use if you break down or are involved in an accident.
• You cannot turn on a red light unless indicated.
• Many drivers run red lights, especially just after they change.

In an emergency:

• If you have a problem with your car, call the number on the rental documents or attached to the windscreen of your car.
• In the event of an accident, you should call the police “110” and medical assistance “119.” Provide the police with all the important information including the type of accident, details of vehicles involved and if there are any injuries or fatalities. The second call you should make is to your insurance company.
• You will need a police report for your insurance company. While waiting for the police, take photographs of the scene and take the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses. Do not move the vehicles unless it is necessary for safety reasons.
• Police will not ask for bribes.
• Police will ask parties involved in the traffic accident to do an alcohol test. This is standard operating procedure.
• If riding a motor scooter, you must wear a helmet.

For specific information concerning Taiwan’s driver’s permits, vehicle inspection road tax, and mandatory insurance, contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, D.C., or the nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the United States.

Public Transportation:  Public transportation is cheap, convenient, and generally safe. Uber is widely available for use. Taxis and buses may swerve to the side of the road to pick up passengers with little notice or regard for other vehicles.

Please refer to our  Road Safety  page for more information. Refer also to Taiwan’s  Road Traffic Safety Portal .

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Taiwan's air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s Safety Assessment Page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Taiwan should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Maritime Security Communications with Industry (MSCI) web portal. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard Homeport website , and the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Navigational Warnings website .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Taiwan . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, learn about your destination, enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Burma (Myanmar)

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Cote d Ivoire

Curaçao

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Switzerland

The Bahamas

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City (Holy See)

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Search Smartraveller

Latest update

We advise: 

Exercise normal safety precautions in Taiwan.

Taiwan (PDF 184.99 KB)

Asia (PDF 2.21 MB)

Local emergency contacts

English language emergency line.

Call 0800 024 111.

Medical emergencies

Call 110 or contact the nearest police station.

Advice levels

Exercise normal safety precautions  in Taiwan.

• Crime rates are low, including for petty crime. Taxi drivers have sometimes assaulted passengers. However, taxis and other rideshare options are usually safe. Use radio taxis or arrange taxis and other rideshare options online or through your hotel.
• Extortion scams occur. These include minor car accidents and claims of sexual assault at nightclubs. Report suspicious behaviour.
• Protests happen sometimes. They're usually peaceful but can turn violent. Avoid large public gatherings.
• The typhoon season is from May to November. Flooding and mudslides are common. Businesses and government offices close on 'typhoon days'. Follow local advice to prepare for a disaster. Updates on typhoons and other severe weather are available from the  Taiwan Central Weather Administration .
• Earthquakes happen often and may disrupt  train services.  Confirm travel arrangements before travelling. Get advice on being in an earthquake-prone region. Tsunamis also happen. Know the tsunami warning signs and move to high ground straight away. Don't wait for official alerts.

Full travel advice:  Safety

• Some prescription medications are illegal in Taiwan. Authorities may jail or fine you if you have them. Before you travel, check  Taiwan Customs  for limits and documents you'll need.
• Insect-borne diseases such as Dengue, Zika and Japanese encephalitis occur. Ensure your accommodation is insect-proof. Get vaccinated if vaccines are available. If you’re pregnant, discuss your travel plans with your doctor before you travel.
• Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases, such as hand, foot and mouth disease, are common. Drink only boiled or bottled water. Avoid ice cubes. Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
• The standard of public hospitals in major cities is good. Wait times are often long. Some hospitals have English-speaking private clinics, but these can be expensive. You may have to pay up-front, even for emergency care. Ensure your travel insurance covers all medical costs.

Full travel advice:  Health

• Don't use or carry illegal drugs, including illegal prescription medication. Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include the death penalty, life in prison, long jail terms and heavy fines.
• Taiwan recognises dual nationality. Taiwanese males older than 18 years must do military service. Some exemptions are available to overseas residents. If you're not exempt, you may have to serve when you arrive. Check Taiwan's  Department of Conscription Administration  for details. Consular services may be limited for dual nationals who do not enter Taiwan on their Australian passport.

Full travel advice:  Local laws

• Taiwan has a visa-exempt entry scheme for nationals of designated countries, including Australia. Refer to  Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs  website for requirements and restrictions. Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest Taiwan representative office for the latest details.
• If you intend to engage in certain activities in Taiwan, for example, religious work, you'll need to obtain an approval/entry permit or visa. Contact your nearest  Taiwan representative office  for entry applications. See  T aiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs  for further information. 
• You'll be screened for high body temperature when you arrive in Taiwan. This is to guard against pandemics such as  COVID-19 ,  SARS  and bird flu ( avian influenza ). Depending on your results, you may need more medical tests.

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter  details what we can and can't do to help you overseas.
• For consular help, contact the  Australian Office in Taipei .
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the Office's social media accounts.

Full travel advice:  Local contacts

Full advice

Civil unrest and political tension.

Demonstrations happen sometimes but are usually peaceful.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To protect yourself during periods of unrest:

• monitor local media for planned or possible action
• avoid rallies and protests
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Crime rates are low, including for petty crime.

Taxi drivers have assaulted some passengers. However, taxis and other rideshare options are usually safe.

Some Australians have become victims of extortion  scams . Examples include minor car accidents and claims of sexual assault at nightclubs.

To keep yourself safe:

• take care of your belongings, especially in crowded places
• report suspicious behaviour
• use radio taxis, or taxis booked on the internet or through your hotel

Card skimming occurs. Keep an eye on your card when making purchases.

Cyber security 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

Cyber security when travelling overseas

Kidnapping can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk. The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers. 

More information: 

• Kidnapping  

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

• Terrorist threats

Climate and natural disasters

Taiwan experiences  natural disasters  and  severe weather , including:

• earthquakes

Typhoons happen in the wet or typhoon season from May to November. Flooding and mudslides are common.

The direction and strength of typhoons can change with little warning. In some areas, shelter from a severe typhoon may not be available to everyone.

If a typhoon is approaching, be aware that:

• flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended
• available flights may fill quickly
• access to ports could be affected

If a typhoon is approaching, local authorities may declare a 'typhoon day' at very short notice. This means businesses may only open for a short time and government offices may close. 

The  Australian Office in Taipei  may close on typhoon days. See  Local contacts .

Authorities announce a 'typhoon day' on local radio and television stations. This includes  International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT) , which broadcasts in English.

Updates on typhoons and other severe weather are available from the  Taiwan Central Weather Administration . You can also keep up to date by checking:

• World Meteorological Organisation Severe Weather Information Centre
• Joint Typhoon Warning Centre
• Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

To prepare yourself in case of a typhoon:

• know your hotel's or cruise ship's evacuation plans
• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities on preparing for a natural disaster

If there's a typhoon or other natural disaster approaching:

• tune your radio to FM100.7 for English-language updates
• monitor the media, other local information sources and the  Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• stay in touch with friends and family
• contact your airline for the latest flight information
• contact a tour operator to check if services at your planned destinations have been affected

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Earthquakes often occur and may disrupt city and regional  train services.  Confirm travel arrangements before travelling. Get advice on travelling to and living in an earthquake-prone region.

If you're planning to travel to Taroko or Hualien, check the road conditions before you travel, as access may be affected by the earthquake that occurred on 3 April 2024. 

Tsunamis are a risk because of frequent earthquakes in the region.

For more information check out:

• Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration’s  Seismological Center
• Taiwan's Emergency Management Information Center  全民防災e點通 (emic.gov.tw)  APP for the latest information.
• the  US Tsunami Warning Center  for information on earthquakes and tsunamis. 

If you're near the coast, move immediately to high ground if advised by local authorities or if you:

• feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
• feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
• see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Don't wait for official warnings, such as alarms or sirens. Once on high ground, check local media.

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

Some prescription medications are illegal in Taiwan. Authorities may jail or fine you for carrying these medications.

If you plan to take medication, check if it's legal in Taiwan. Take enough legal medicine with you for your trip.

Taiwan Customs  gives advice on limits and documents you'll need.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

Health risks

Insect-borne diseases.

Dengue  occurs, especially in the tropical southern and central regions.

Cases of  Zika virus  were reported in 2016. There's no vaccine available against dengue or Zika virus.

You could also encounter  Japanese encephalitis  in Taiwan.

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Speak with your doctor about getting vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis before you travel.

If you're pregnant, ask your doctor about possible Zika virus risks.

Other health risks

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)  is common. Sometimes serious outbreaks occur. Outbreaks usually start in March or April and peak in May. However, they can continue until October each year.

HFMD mostly affects children aged under 10 years. However, adult cases occur, especially in young adults.

HFMD spreads through contact with discharges of infected people.

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. Sometimes serious outbreaks occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• practice good hygiene, including careful and frequent handwashing
• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Seek medical care if you experience severe symptoms from COVID-19. You can contact the  Taiwan Centers for Disease Control  helpline on 1922.

• Infectious diseases

Medical care

Medical facilities.

The standard of medical facilities in public hospitals in major cities is good. However, there are often long waiting times.

The medical system can be confusing. Some hospitals have English-speaking private clinics.

Treatment at private clinics and priority care centres is expensive. You may have to pay up-front for medical and dental services, including for emergency care.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include life imprisonment and the death penalty.

Carrying certain prescription drugs can result in heavy fines and long jail sentences. See  Health .

• Carrying or using drugs

If you're involved in a legal dispute, you won't be allowed to leave Taiwan until the dispute is settled. This includes minor offences.

You may be detained on arrival if you have an outstanding arrest warrant in Taiwan.

Legal processes can be long. Local authorities won't accept bonds or deposits to guarantee court appearances.

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

Taiwan recognises dual nationality. Taiwanese males aged over 18 must do military service. Some exemptions are available to overseas residents, but you should check this before travelling. If you're not exempt, you may have to serve when you arrive.

If you're a Taiwanese-Australian dual national and you're male, check before you travel.

• Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
• National Conscription Agency  
• Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

Taiwan has restored the visa-exempt entry scheme for nationals of designated countries, including Australia. Please see  T aiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs  website for the visa-exempt entry requirements and restrictions.

You won't need a visa for Taiwan if you meet all these conditions:

• you'll only stay for up to 90 days
• you're visiting for tourism or business
• you have a confirmed return or onward air ticket
• your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your entry
• you're not travelling on an emergency passport

In other situations, you'll need to get a visa before you travel.

Australians can use Taiwan's e-Gate service. To register for e-Gate, visit the e-Gate Enrolment Counters at the airport, located next to the e-Gate lanes at passport control. The registration is valid until 6 months before your passport's expiry date, until you renew your passport, or until you obtain an Alien Resident Card (ARC) in Taiwan. You'll need then to register each trip online to use the gates. More information is available at the  e-Gate Enrolment System website.

Working holiday-makers (WHM) must apply for the WHM visa before arriving. WHM visas are also valid as a work permit.

Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact the  Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO)  for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

• National Immigration Agency

Border measures

International transits are permitted at Taiwan's airports. Refer to  Taoyuan International Airport  or contact your airline or travel agent for more information on transiting Taiwan.

You'll be screened for high body temperature when you arrive. This is to guard against pandemics such as COVID-19 , SARS  and bird flu ( avian influenza ). Depending on your results, you may need more medical tests.

Other formalities

If you plan to take prescription or non-prescription medicines with you, check the  Taiwan Customs  website before you travel. See  Health .

If you're planning to work, you need to get a work permit before you start paid or unpaid work. Work permits are usually arranged in Taiwan through your employer.

If you work without a work permit or WHM visa, authorities could fine or deport you.

• Taiwan Workforce Development Agency
• Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

LGBTQIA+ travellers

The local currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD).

Declare amounts over USD10,000 or equivalent. 

ATMs are widely available in cities and provincial centres.

International credit cards are usually accepted in hotels, restaurants and higher-end shops, especially in cities and larger towns.

Local travel

Driving permit.

If you plan to drive in Taiwan, you must get an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you arrive.

You can drive for up to 30 days with an IDP and a current Australian licence.

If you plan to stay longer, apply for an extension at the nearest motor vehicle office in Taiwan.

Check Taiwan’s  Highway Bureau  for information on how to apply for a Taiwanese Driver's Licence.

Road travel

Roads and vehicles are well-maintained but scooters and motorcycles often weave in and out of traffic, and vehicles might not stop at pedestrian crossings. Look before stepping onto the road.

Heavy rain and typhoons can lead to landslides and road blockages.

Mountain roads are usually winding and narrow. Travellers have been injured in bus accidents on these roads.

To stay safe:

• don't expect traffic to stop at pedestrian crossings or traffic lights — look before stepping onto the road
• assess weather and road conditions before you drive, especially during typhoon season
• take particular care when driving on mountain roads
• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

You need a motorcycle licence, either Taiwanese or international, to hire a motorbike.

Check if your travel insurance policy covers you when riding a motorbike.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis and other rideshare options are usually safe. However, there have been instances of drivers assaulting passengers.

To minimise risk, use:

• radio taxis
• taxis booked on the internet
• taxis booked through your hotel

Mountain hiking

Permits may be required for entering mountains in Taiwan. Ensure the phone location mode (GPS) on the mobile device is turned on. If you get lost in the mountains, dial 119 and follow the instructions to send your location. Alternatively, you can report the location number shown on a blue plate of the nearest electricity pole.

Public transport

Taiwan has well-developed rail and bus services.

Petty crime happens, so take care of your belongings.

• Transport and getting around safely

Some cruise lines stopover in Taiwan.

• Going on a cruise

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check  Taiwan's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Medical emergencies (including mountain rescues)

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer may have a 24-hour emergency number.

Information for Foreigners

Consular contacts.

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular help, contact the Australian Office in Taipei.

The Australian Office, Taipei

27th and 28th Floor, President International Tower  9-11 Song Gao Road  Taipei, 110  Phone: (+886 2) 8725 4100  Fax: (+886 2) 8789 9599  Website:  australia.org.tw Email:  [email protected]  Facebook:  facebook.com/australianofficetaipei X:  twitter.com/AusOfficeTPE

Check the Australian Office in Taipei website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact the Australian Office, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to Taiwan?

Sign up to get the latest travel advice updates..

Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.

• Zoeken Waar kunnen wij u bij helpen? Zoeken

Reisadvies Taiwan

Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken

In het kort

De kleurcode van het reisadvies voor Taiwan is groen. U kunt erheen reizen. Er zijn geen bijzondere veiligheidsrisico’s.

Verder in dit reisadvies

Criminaliteit.

In Taiwan is weinig criminaliteit. Door een goede voorbereiding verkleint u de kans dat u wordt beroofd of opgelicht. Lees meer op de pagina Hoe voorkom ik dat ik slachtoffer word van criminaliteit in het buitenland?

Wetten en gebruiken

U mag in Taiwan geen drugs gebruiken, bezitten of verkopen. Dit geldt ook voor softdrugs. In Taiwan zijn straffen veel zwaarder dan in Nederland.

Bent u een lhbtiq+ persoon? En wilt u naar Taiwan reizen? De wetten en de gebruiken in Taiwan tegenover lhbtiq+ personen zijn vergelijkbaar met die van Nederland. Lees de tips op de pagina Kan ik veilig reizen als lhbtiq+ persoon? om risico’s te verkleinen.

Natuurgeweld

Houd tussen mei en november rekening met orkanen (tyfoons) in Taiwan. Orkanen kunnen veel schade aanrichten, vooral in de kustgebieden.

Bent u tussen mei en november in Taiwan? Lees informatie over orkanen op de website Naval Oceanography Portal (informatie in het Engels).

Aardbevingen

Taiwan ligt in een aardbevingsgevoelig gebied. Er is kans op aardbevingen, aardverschuivingen en tsunami’s. Lees informatie over aardbevingen, aardverschuivingen en tsunami’s op de website van USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (informatie in het Engels).

Wat kunt u doen bij natuurgeweld?

Is er natuurgeweld op het moment dat u in Taiwan bent?

• Volg altijd de aanwijzingen van de lokale autoriteiten, bijvoorbeeld de brandweer of politie.
• Houd de (lokale) media in de gaten. De situatie kan snel veranderen.
• Neem contact op met de lokale autoriteiten, uw hotel of reisorganisatie als u een vraag heeft over de actuele situatie.

In geval van nood

Lokale hulpdiensten.

Heeft u direct hulp nodig in Taiwan? Neem contact op met de lokale hulpdiensten:

• Politie: 110
• Ambulance en brandweer: 119
• Ambulance en brandweer: 112 (met mobiele telefoon)

Nood- of crisissituatie

• Bent u in Taiwan en bent u in nood? Bijvoorbeeld: u bent opgenomen in het ziekenhuis, of u bent bestolen. Lees wat u kunt doen in geval van nood .
• Komt u in een crisissituatie terecht (zoals politieke onrust, een terroristische aanslag of natuurgeweld)? Lees wat u kunt doen in een crisissituatie .
• Laat uw familie/vrienden weten hoe het met u gaat.
• Volg altijd de aanwijzingen van de lokale autoriteiten.
• Maakt u een georganiseerde reis? Houd contact met uw reisorganisatie.
• Heeft u hulp nodig? Neem contact op met uw reisverzekeraar of met het Netherlands Office in Taipei.

Contactgegevens Nederlandse ambassade in geval van nood

Nederlandse ambassades en consulaten-generaal zijn 24 uur per dag, 7 dagen per week bereikbaar via het contactcenter van NederlandWereldwijd op telefoonnummer +31 247 247 247 of via WhatsApp: +31 6 82 38 77 96 .

Bent u in Taiwan en heeft u een lokaal telefoonnummer? Bel het lokale nummer van het Netherlands Office in Taipei. U betaalt dan het lokale tarief.

Geen Nederlandse ambassade in Taiwan

Er is geen Nederlandse ambassade in Taiwan. Neem in geval van nood contact op met het Netherlands Office in Taipei .

Reisvoorbereiding (paspoort, visum, …)

Reisverzekering.

• Sluit altijd een goede reisverzekering af die extra kosten dekt. Bijvoorbeeld van ziekenhuisopname, of als u naar Nederland moet worden vervoerd (repatriëring). Uw basiszorgverzekering vergoedt deze kosten niet altijd 100 procent.
• Gaat u een (extreme) sport beoefenen? Sluit een extra verzekering af.
• U heeft een geldig paspoort nodig om naar Taiwan te reizen.
• Uw Nederlandse paspoort moet nog minimaal 6 maanden geldig zijn op het moment van aankomst in Taiwan.

Of u een visum nodig heeft, hangt af van hoelang u in Taiwan blijft:

• Blijft u 90 dagen of korter in Taiwan? En reist u met een geldig Nederlands paspoort? Dan heeft u geen visum nodig.
• Blijft u langer dan 90 dagen in Taiwan? En reist u met een geldig Nederlands paspoort? Dan heeft u een visum nodig. Vraag een visum aan bij het Taipei Representative Office in Den Haag (informatie in het Engels).

Let op: Blijft u langer dan 90 dagen in Taiwan? Dan moet u zich registreren. Vraag na aankomst een verblijfsvergunning (ARC) aan  bij de National Immigration Agency (informatie in het Engels). Doet u dit niet? Dan krijgt u een boete of wordt u Taiwan uitgezet.

Reizen met kinderen

Kinderen hebben ook een geldig paspoort en eventueel een visum nodig voor een reis naar Taiwan. Reist u alleen met 1 of meer kinderen jonger dan 18 jaar? Check welke documenten u nodig heeft om te reizen met een minderjarig kind en neem die mee. Zo voorkomt u problemen en lange wachttijden bij grenscontroles.

In Taiwan is uw Nederlandse rijbewijs alleen geldig als u ook een geldig internationaal rijbewijs heeft.  Lees meer over rijden in Taiwan op de website van de ANWB.

Reisvaccinaties

• Check welke vaccinaties u nodig heeft voor Taiwan op de website van GGD Reisvaccinaties.
• U leest op de website van de GGD ook meer over ziektes die er voorkomen, zoals dengue (knokkelkoorts), chikungunya, zikakoorts en hondsdolheid (rabiës).
• Maak (online) een vaccinatie-afspraak bij een GGD of andere aanbieder van reisvaccinaties bij u in de buurt. Check alle aanbieders van reisvaccinaties op de website van het Landelijk Coördinatiecentrum Reizigersadvisering (LCR).

Gebruikt u medicijnen?

• Neem voldoende medicijnen mee, ook voor extra dagen. 
• Check of u een medicijnverklaring nodig heeft om uw medicijnen mee te mogen nemen naar Taiwan.
• Neem de medicijnen altijd mee in de originele verpakking.

Bagageregels

• Meenemen naar Taiwan: Check wat u mag meenemen naar Taiwan op de website van de overheid van Taiwan (informatie in het Engels). De Taiwanese douane controleert streng op dierlijke en plantaardige producten.
• Meenemen naar Nederland: Bekijk wat u vanuit Taiwan mee terug mag nemen naar Nederland op de pagina Wat mag ik meenemen naar Nederland?

Kaart bij reisadvies Taiwan

Taiwan govt asks citizens travelling to China to be careful after tourist detained in China

T aipei [ Taiwan ], June 8 (ANI): Taiwan 's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has advised Taiwan ese nationals travelling to China to be careful after a citizen travelling with a tour group was briefly detained in China earlier this week, Taiwan News reported.

Taiwan 's MAC said that it is still seeking clarification from China on why the traveller was questioned by Chinese authorities. MAC Chair Chiu Chui-cheng said that Taiwan ese visiting China should remember to register on its online platform, Taiwan News, reported citing CNA.

Some reports have indicated that the incident took place in Nanjing and the tour group was visiting a book fair when the tourist was detained, Taiwan News reported.

The traveller, whose name has not been identified, was separated from their tour group and held for a few days before being released, possibly because they had previously worked in an industry that China regards "sensitive." The traveller has safely returned to Taiwan , Taiwan News reported, citing reports.

It is the first time in 2024 that a member of a Taiwan ese tour group has been detained by police in China . On Friday, Chiu said that MAC is still conducting investigation into the details surrounding the incident.

Taiwan 's MAC advised tour groups and guides to immediately report any incidents involving tour members being questioned or detained by Chinese authorities, Taiwan News reported.

The MAC's advisory comes a week ahead of the Straits Forum , which will be held in Xiamen on June 15. Several Taiwan government officials, including county magistrates from Yunlin and Kinmen, have applied for the MAC's approval to attend the event. (ANI)

• Account Details
• Newsletters
• Group Subscription

China to lift Taiwan tourism restrictions for Fujian residents

Decision announced to delegation from Beijing-friendly KMT opposition

BEIJING -- Tourist visits to Taiwan by residents of China's Fujian province will be permitted to resume, the mainland's Ministry of Culture and Tourism said Sunday.

Vice Minister Rao Quan announced the eased restrictions to a visiting delegation from Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), which seeks closer ties with China. The move comes ahead of May's inauguration of Taiwanese President-elect William Lai, whom China calls a separatist.

China's Xi meets Taiwan's ex-leader Ma amid cross-strait tensions

Taiwan president-elect picks team of security, diplomatic heavyweights, china wants ability to invade taiwan by 2027, u.s. admiral says, taiwan's lai poised to build on tsai's southeast asia outreach, analysis: why xi and biden chose the same day to send a message on taiwan, thailand smiles at both taiwan and china as it courts ev investment, latest on politics, taiwan's lai sends legislative power bill back to defiant opposition, europe's china ties further tangled by rise of french far right, tokyo gov. yuriko koike to run for third term, sponsored content, about sponsored content this content was commissioned by nikkei's global business bureau..

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

• Ground Reports
• 50-Word Edit
• National Interest
• Campus Voice
• Security Code
• Off The Cuff
• Democracy Wall
• Around Town
• PastForward
• In Pictures
• Last Laughs
• ThePrint Essential

Taipei [Taiwan], June 8 (ANI): Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has advised Taiwanese nationals travelling to China to be careful after a citizen travelling with a tour group was briefly detained in China earlier this week, Taiwan News reported.

Taiwan’s MAC said that it is still seeking clarification from China on why the traveller was questioned by Chinese authorities. MAC Chair Chiu Chui-cheng said that Taiwanese visiting China should remember to register on its online platform, Taiwan News, reported citing CNA.

Some reports have indicated that the incident took place in Nanjing and the tour group was visiting a book fair when the tourist was detained, Taiwan News reported.

The traveller, whose name has not been identified, was separated from their tour group and held for a few days before being released, possibly because they had previously worked in an industry that China regards “sensitive.” The traveller has safely returned to Taiwan, Taiwan News reported, citing reports.

It is the first time in 2024 that a member of a Taiwanese tour group has been detained by police in China. On Friday, Chiu said that MAC is still conducting investigation into the details surrounding the incident.

Taiwan’s MAC advised tour groups and guides to immediately report any incidents involving tour members being questioned or detained by Chinese authorities, Taiwan News reported.

The MAC’s advisory comes a week ahead of the Straits Forum, which will be held in Xiamen on June 15. Several Taiwan government officials, including county magistrates from Yunlin and Kinmen, have applied for the MAC’s approval to attend the event. (ANI)

This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

Subscribe to our channels on YouTube , Telegram & WhatsApp

Support Our Journalism

India needs fair, non-hyphenated and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. ThePrint – with exceptional reporters, columnists and editors – is doing just that.

Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.

Whether you live in India or overseas, you can take a paid subscription by clicking here .

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Most Popular

Muslims made their vote count. this time hindus built a coalition with them, indian nationals arrested in nijjar case haven’t requested consular access, says envoy to canada, chandrashekhar azad is in lok sabha. outside, among dalits, he is the new post-mayawati face.

Required fields are marked *

Copyright © 2024 Printline Media Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

In Italy's Puglia region, women take the lead in challenging the local mafia at great personal risk

Puglia is known for its olive groves, white-washed houses and spectacular coastlines that will provide the backdrop when Premier Giorgia Meloni hosts Group of Seven leaders for their annual summit this week

LECCE, Italy — It was a scene straight out of “The Godfather.” On the night of Feb. 1, a bloody goat head with a butcher’s knife through it was left on the doorstep of Judge Francesca Mariano’s home in southern Italy, with note beside it reading, “like this.”

Mariano had already received threats, including notes written in blood, after she issued arrest warrants for 22 members of a local mafia clan that operates in southern Puglia , the heel of Italy’s boot.

Puglia is known for its olive groves, cone-shaped “trulli” white-washed houses, and spectacular coastlines that will provide the backdrop when Premier Giorgia Meloni hosts Group of Seven leaders for their annual summit this week.

But the region is also home to the Sacra Corona Unita, Italy’s fourth organized crime group. It is far less well-known than Sicily’s Cosa Nostra , the Calabrian ‘ndrangheta or the Camorra around Naples , but just as effective in infiltrating everything, from local businesses to government .

And yet, a remarkable array of women like Mariano is challenging its power structures at great personal risk. They are arresting and prosecuting clan members, exposing their crimes and confiscating their businesses, all while working to change local attitudes and cultural norms that have allowed this mafia to establish roots as deep as Puglia’s famed olive trees.

GET CAUGHT UP Summarized stories to quickly stay informed

Republicans pitch tax cuts for corporations, the wealthy in 2025

Moderates quit Netanyahu’s emergency government, call for elections

Tornadoes shifting east in the U.S., study finds, putting more people at risk

This word was rejected by geologists. But it’s already taken over the world.

Linen or cotton: Which fabric keeps you cooler in sticky summer heat?

“I don’t believe anyone who says they’re not afraid. That’s not true,” said Marilù Mastrogiovanni, an investigative journalist and journalism professor at the University of Bari who has written in-depth stories about mafia infiltration for her blog.

“Courage is moving forward despite the fear,” she said.

The Sacra Corona Unita, or SCU, is the only organized crime group in Italy whose origins are known: A local criminal founded it in the Lecce prison in 1981, in part to push back other mafia groups that were trying to infiltrate the area.

Its name and initiation rites are linked to the Catholic faith, with the “corona” or crown, referring to the beads of a rosary.

Slowly but steadily, the SCU wove itself into the fabric of Puglia’s society, mixing its illicit activities in with legitimate businesses. Today, it has roughly 30 clans and some 5,000 members, almost all of them men.

“ Drug trafficking is the main business ,” said Carla Durante, head of the Lecce office of the Anti-Mafia Investigative Directorate, an inter-agency police force. “That is always accompanied by extortion, usury. And now, like all over the nation, we have infiltration into the public administration.”

The SCU takes the billions of euros it earns from drug trafficking and launders it through legitimate business , often in Puglia’s booming tourism industry.

One of the most effective ways to fight it has been by confiscating mob-owned assets. Durante’s team sequesters mafia properties, such as vineyards or farms, which are then turned over to local organizations to be transformed into socially useful community centers or projects.

“By now we have learned that this is really the most incisive tool, because taking assets away from mafiosi means disempowering them,” Durante said. Since 1992, the national office has confiscated more than 147 million in mafia assets.

But the SCU has in some ways become more effective than Italy’s other mafia groups in inserting itself into the local community and gaining social acceptance. In recent years, it generally avoided headline-grabbing acts of violence in favor of more nuanced forms of intimidation.

“Organized crime is still organized, in the sense that it enjoys a certain consensus in Italy,” said Sabrina Matrangola, whose mother, a local politician, was killed by the mob in 1984 after she campaigned to preserve a coastal park from illicit development.

“And as long as there is this consensus, as long as not everyone chooses the right side, and someone will not be willing to roll up their sleeves to help, these places will always be in danger,” said Matrangola, who now works as an activist with the group Libera, which converts mob assets to serve the community.

For those who challenge it, danger persists.

Two weeks after Mariano sent out her arrest warrants for a mob crackdown dubbed “Operation Wolf,” the lead prosecutor on the case, Carmen Ruggiero, nearly had her throat slit by one of the suspects.

Pancrazio Carrino, one of the 22 people named in the warrant, had signaled his desire to collaborate with Ruggiero’s investigation. But when Ruggiero showed up to interrogate him in the Lecce prison, he had other plans: He had chiseled a knife out of a porcelain toilet bowl in his prison cell and hid it in a small black plastic bag in his rectum, planning to “cut her jugular” during the meeting, according to court documents.

“If I had been as lucid that day as I am now,” Carrino later told investigators, “Carmen Ruggiero would already be history.”

In the end, a suspicious guard searched him before he could strike and found the makeshift knife.

Sevens months after the threat, Ruggiero walked confidently into the Lecce prison courtroom for a recent hearing in the case, accompanied by a three-officer police escort.

She has remained undeterred by the death threats, as have the other women who have challenged SCU’s power. But they have had to take precautions, including with around-the-clock security.

Mastrogiovanni, the journalist, moved her young family out of her hometown after her reports on her blog “Il Tacco D’Italia” about SCU’s infiltration so angered the local government that at one point, the town was plastered with giant posters attacking her work. One depicted her up to her neck in a hole.

According to the patriarchal culture of the SCU, “a woman shouldn’t have a voice,” all the more if she uses it to write about the mafia, she said.

Mariano, the judge, also lives with around-the-clock police escorts but believes that her job challenging the SCU goes beyond the halls of the courtroom. In her downtime, Mariano uses her passion for writing books, poetry and plays to try to change attitudes at the grassroots level. Recently, she staged a play about the mob in Lecce’s Apollo Theater.

“We have to start with communication, which is fundamental to transmit values of dignity, courage, responsibility,” she said. “The ability to say no, the ability to be indignant in the face of things that are wrong.”