Taiwan

Recommended Vaccinations For Taiwan

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Vaccination is recommended for travellers with itineraries that include rural or rice growing areas with extended outdoor activities.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Taiwan

There are no recommendations for Taiwan at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Taiwan

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in Taiwan, and the risk to travellers is significant.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Taiwan.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Taiwan through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

For Some Travellers

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus Taiwan through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever outbreaks have occurred in Taiwan.

Scrub Typhus

This disease generally occurs year-round in Taiwan.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Japanese encephalitis

In Taiwan, outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis occur sporadically throughout the country. Transmission season is considered to be from May to October. Human cases among residents of Taiwan are rare due to routine vaccination and natural immunity, however, visitors to Taiwan may be at higher risk for infection. Extensive outdoor activity in rural areas will increase this risk.

Safety & Security in Taiwan

Personal Safety

Taiwan ranks among the safest countries in Asia with remarkably low crime rates. The country recorded only 2.14 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2023, making it the fourth safest country globally according to recent rankings. Petty theft and pickpocketing occur occasionally in crowded areas like night markets or Ximending in Taipei, but remain far less common than in most other countries. Armed robbery is rare and street crime is not a major issue. Walking alone during both day and night received very high safety ratings, though you should stay on main streets and in well-lit areas when unfamiliar with surroundings. Scams targeting tourists are not widespread. You might encounter overpriced goods in night markets or questionable taxi meters, but aggressive cons are uncommon. Most locals are helpful and polite. Taiwan has no history of terrorism and faces no active threats, with authorities maintaining proactive and efficient security measures. The main safety concerns relate to natural disasters rather than crime. Typhoons occur from May to November and can cause significant disruption, while earthquakes happen regularly though building standards are high. You should stay informed through local alerts and know your accommodation’s emergency procedures. Many officers in major cities speak some English and police stations often have dedicated foreign affairs officers.

Extreme Violence

Violent crime is extremely rare in Taiwan and almost nonexistent in tourist areas. The country experiences minimal street crime with mugging rated as extremely low risk. Murder and manslaughter cases remain relatively low and comparable to other developed Asia Pacific countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. The crime-clearing rate reached 97.1 percent in 2023, indicating highly effective law enforcement. Taiwan has no significant presence of terrorism and no active threats. Airport and transit security are efficient without being intrusive. Authorities maintain proactive monitoring and routine security checks at venues and public events. Organized crime exists but most likely will not affect tourists. The most common crimes recorded involve fraud and theft rather than violence. While gang violence has been noted in some areas, it typically does not target visitors. The overall risk of experiencing violent crime as a tourist remains very low, with Taiwan consistently ranking as one of the safest destinations globally for travelers. You do not need to maintain constant vigilance against violent crime, though basic awareness of surroundings remains sensible practice.

Political Unrest

Taiwan has a vibrant democracy with both spontaneous and planned demonstrations occurring regularly. Political protests are a normal part of life and generally peaceful, though they can occasionally turn violent. The most significant recent protests occurred in May 2024 when tens of thousands demonstrated against controversial legislative reform bills, marking the largest protests since the 2014 Sunflower Student Movement. These 2024 protests, known as the Bluebird Movement, drew over 70,000 participants and involved some physical confrontations, though the vast majority remained peaceful. In April 2025, a KMT-organized protest drew an estimated 80,000 people to Taipei. Protests in Taiwan typically center on domestic political issues rather than targeting foreigners or tourists. The strong protest tradition dates back to the democratization movement, with significant historical events including the 2014 Sunflower Movement when students occupied the legislature to block a trade bill. While demonstrations are usually peaceful, they can disrupt traffic and public transportation. You should avoid areas where large gatherings are taking place and monitor local media for information about planned protests. Civil disturbances related to cross-strait relations with China periodically occur, with tensions fluctuating based on political developments. However, these situations do not typically present direct safety risks to visitors. Police response to demonstrations is generally measured and professional.

Areas To Avoid

Taiwan has no properly dangerous areas in the traditional sense, and violent crime targeting tourists is virtually unheard of across the country. Bigger cities like Taipei may experience occasional pickpocketing and petty theft in crowded locations, but these remain uncommon. There are no specific neighborhoods or districts that require avoidance due to safety concerns. The main areas requiring caution relate to natural conditions rather than crime. During typhoon season from May to November, certain coastal and mountain areas can become hazardous due to heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds. Road closures in eastern Taiwan occur periodically due to weather-related damage. Mountain trekking areas require permits in some locations, and you should ensure your phone location mode is activated. If lost in mountains, dial 119 for emergency assistance. Some rural areas have packs of stray dogs, though they generally are not aggressive. Earthquake-prone zones exist throughout Taiwan, but modern building standards provide good protection. When natural disasters approach, staying informed through local alerts and following instructions from authorities becomes essential. The bigger risk involves traffic conditions rather than specific dangerous locations. Areas with heavy scooter traffic require extra attention, particularly for pedestrians. Old Town districts and less developed areas may have older infrastructure, but this does not translate to safety concerns from crime. Night markets and tourist attractions remain safe even during evening hours.