Macau SAR China

Recommended Vaccinations For Macau SAR China

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 diseases.

For Some Travellers

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.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

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

Yellow Fever Vaccine

This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Nationals and residents of Myanmar are required to possess certificates of vaccination on their departure to an area with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Travellers who engage in extensive outdoor activities in rural areas during the months of May to October may have increased risk, and vaccination is recommended.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

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 Macau SAR China

There are no recommendations for Macau SAR China at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Macau SAR China

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in Macau.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Macau through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

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

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya is a viral disease that occurs in Macau. Outbreaks of this disease usually occur during the tropical rainy season, however, outbreaks can occur during the dry season as well.

For Some Travellers

Measles

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

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever outbreaks have occurred in Macau.

Hanta Virus

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

Scrub Typhus

This disease generally occurs year-round in Macau.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of Yellow Fever in this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Nationals and residents of Myanmar are required to possess certificates of vaccination on their departure to an area with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Macau, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis occurs in this country, usually during May to October. However, the risk of exposure to this virus is low.

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. While all dogs are free of rabies, certain wildlife species, such as bats can carry rabies-like viruses. 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.

Safety & Security in Macau SAR China

Personal Safety

Macao maintains low crime rates with violent crime being rare. In the first nine months of 2024, police recorded 10,831 crime cases, with violent crime incidence continuing to be low. Pickpocketing and petty theft occur in crowded areas including shopping centres, markets, the airport and casinos. Drink spiking happens in Macao, so watch your drinks when they are being mixed and avoid accepting food or drinks from strangers. Scammers sometimes present themselves as people in need, asking for help with luggage or requesting money. Fraud cases have been rising, particularly telephone scams and computer fraud, with 240 telephone fraud cases and 581 computer fraud cases reported in the first nine months of 2024. The Safeguarding National Security Law gives authorities broad powers to prosecute activities deemed threatening to national security, including actions occurring outside Macao. Police can access social media and private communications to gather evidence. Drug possession leads to imprisonment, and photographing military installations is prohibited.

Extreme Violence

Macao has no recent history of terrorism and is neither a hub nor a target for international terrorist groups. The city maintains highly efficient security services. In 2024, incidences of serious violent crime remained significantly lower compared to 2019 levels. Since the 1999 handover from Portugal to China, the government has cracked down heavily on organised crime. While triad groups still exist, they operate at a much lower level today, conducting business underground rather than fighting on the streets. Violent crimes like mugging and kidnapping against tourists are not commonly reported. No homicides were reported in the first half of 2024. The city’s electronic surveillance system, known as Sky Eye, assisted in investigating 2,302 cases in the first quarter of 2025, including serious violent crimes such as grievous bodily harm, robbery and arson.

Political Unrest

Public protests in Macao have effectively ended after Beijing launched sweeping measures in the past five years. Protesting without Macao government approval is illegal, and protests can turn violent. After a court ruling, there have been no approved protests or rallies in Macao since around 2019. Authorities ban demonstrations regularly, and police have detained people for displaying signs supporting pro-democracy movements. The government enforces restrictions on freedom of assembly, with civil rights advocates criticizing the apparently arbitrary rules. Activities that authorities believe threaten national security can result in criminal charges, even if conducted outside Macao or considered legal in other countries. In May 2023, local authorities expanded their power to enforce laws outside Macao, though implementation details remain vague. Authorities warn against commenting on local or political events on social media, and travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Increased screening of digital devices is possible when crossing between Macao and mainland China.

Areas To Avoid

Macao does not have specific dangerous areas that tourists need to avoid systematically. The city maintains stable public security overall. However, you should take care in crowded tourist areas where petty crime is more common, including shopping centres, markets, the airport, casinos and around famous landmarks. Tourist spots and crowded places are where thieves typically operate, often working in groups. The Lisboa area between 2am and 6am was historically associated with triad activity more than a decade ago, though this is no longer a significant concern. Gaming-related crime cases increased to 1,021 in the first three quarters of 2024, up 42.6 percent from the same period in 2023, though still down 36.1 percent compared to 2019. Most safety concerns relate to petty crime rather than geographic danger zones.