23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
Police- Call 133
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Do not travel to Chile.
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Following the national plebiscite on constitutional reform that took place on 25 October 2020, there remains the potential for further demonstrations, protests and violent clashes in the lead up to elections during 2021, including in the cities of Santiago, Valparaíso, Viña de Mar, Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt, Concepción and Antofagasta.
Local authorities may use tear gas and water cannons. Curfews and states of emergency may be declared in regions affected by civil unrest. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media about possible new safety or security risks. Follow the instructions of local authorities.
Expect transport disruptions. Public transport will be running limited services at this time. Contact your airline or tour operator to find out if the situation will disrupt your travel plans. There are reduced operating hours for shopping malls, banks and supermarkets in most affected areas.
In the Araucanía region, people claiming to represent the Mapuche community are fighting over land and indigenous rights. The Mapuche are Chile's largest indigenous group.
In recent years, attacks have targeted multinational forestry corporations and private Chilean landowners.
Australians and other foreigners have not been targeted in the past. However, you may be affected by politically motivated violence during your visit.
To protect yourself during periods of unrest:
More information:
Muggings and robberies are common in urban areas.
Hotspots for thieves include:
People walking alone are often targets, especially at night.
Muggings, including with weapons, occur in Santiago around:
Pickpocketing and bag snatching is common. Be aware in crowded areas, such as:
Keep your belongings close in the tourist areas of Santiago including:
There's also been a number of armed holdups of stores.
Robberies, assaults and threats with weapons happen mainly at night. Take particular care:
Carjackings can occur as residents leave their vehicles to open or close gates.
Tourists have been robbed on inter-city buses, particularly:
Criminal groups often use distraction to rob tourists. Common scams are where:
Food and drink spiking occurs.
To reduce your risk of violent crime:
Anarchist groups stage occasional acts of terrorism, mostly in Santiago. They may use small explosive devices or bombs.
On 4 January 2019, an explosion at a bus stop in Santiago injured 5 people.
To protect yourself from terrorism:
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
Chile can experience natural disasters and severe weather, such as:
To protect yourself during a natural disaster:
More information:
Large forest fires occur in Chile, particularly in summer.
If there's a fire, obey the evacuation orders of local authorities.
Chile is in an active earthquake zone. Earthquakes and volcanic activity may occur.
The Chilean Government uses a 3-tier system to classify volcanoes. The alerts are:
Volcanoes in Chile and current alert levels are listed on National Geology and Mining Service (Spanish).
If there's an earthquake or volcanic eruption, contact your travel provider about disruptions.
Chile is at risk of tsunamis.
Be alert to warnings, as a tsunami can arrive very soon after a nearby tremor or earthquake.
Move immediately to high ground if advised by local authorities, or if you:
Don't wait for official warnings such as alarms or sirens. Once on high ground, monitor local media.
More information:
During autumn and winter, flooding can occur with little warning.
Flooding may affect services and transport.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. A ban on overseas travel from Australia remains in place. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
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 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
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.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Chile. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
COVID-19 is widespread in Chile. Quarantines, curfews and movement restrictions apply nationwide (see Travel).
For information on Chile's COVID−19 vaccination program, refer to the Ministry of Health website (Spanish). You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally. The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.
More information:
You’re at risk of altitude sickness if you travel above 2500m.
Altitude sickness can be life-threatening and can affect anyone, even if you're fit and healthy.
You're at greater risk of altitude sickness if you:
If you'll be travelling above 2500m:
Outbreaks of Zika virus and dengue have occurred on Easter Island.
If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends that you:
To protect yourself from disease:
Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.
Outbreaks of waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases occur sometimes. These include:
To protect yourself from illness:
If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help straight away.
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
More information:
High levels of smog and air pollution occur in Santiago from April to October.
High levels of dust often occur from December to March.
The Chilean Government regularly issues pre-emergency alerts for air contamination.
If you have breathing problems, take extra care when there's a pre-emergency alert for air contamination.
Medical facilities at private hospitals in Santiago and other major cities are good but very limited elsewhere.
Treatment at private clinics and hospitals is expensive.
Most large hospitals may accept credit cards.
You may need to pay cash before doctors and hospitals will treat you, even in an emergency.
Fundación Horna, offers an English-speaking service to victims of domestic violence, and can be contacted on + 56 2 2835 6044.
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 long prison sentences in local jails.
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Chile doesn't recognise dual nationality.
If you're a dual national, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.
If you're of Chilean origin, you may be deemed a Chilean national under Chilean law. This may apply even if you've taken steps to renounce Chilean citizenship.
If you're considered a Chilean national under Chilean law, you may need to enter and exit Chile using a Chilean passport.
Different rules may apply to a child aged under 18 years who was born overseas to Chilean parents.
Confirm your citizenship status and entry and exit requirements with an embassy or consulate of Chile before you travel.
Chilean entry and exit requirements for dual nationals may change without notice.
More information:
If you overstay your visa or need an extension due to COVID-19 measures, visit the Migration Department of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security.
Australians must hold a valid visa to enter Chile. You can apply on-line by visiting the Chilean Ministry of External Affairs' website (in Spanish and English). Your application will then be reviewed by the relevant Chilean Consulate.
If you are arriving in Chile for tourism, you will get a tourist card (paper) on arrival. You must keep the card and present it to immigration officials prior to departure.
If you regularly travel for business, the APEC Business Travel Card provides streamlined entry to several regional countries.
If you attempt to leave Chile while you do not hold a valid visa, you may encounter difficulties.
If you do need to stay in Chile longer, you can apply for a one-off visa extension. If you attempt to stay in Chile longer than your visa allows, you may have to pay a fine on departure. Advice provided by the Chilean Migration Department is silent on the possibility of fee waivers.
You may also be eligible to apply for a Temporary Visa, which allow holders to stay in Chile for up to one year, or a Permit to Work as Tourist (subject to having a work contract).
If your tourist card is lost or stolen, request a new copy online from this link. For specific information, you may want to visit the closest International Police (PDI) Office.
You can't stay on Easter Island (Isla de Pascua / Rapa Nui) for more than 30 consecutive days.
Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact the Embassy or Consulate of Chile for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
If you're travelling through the US, you must meet strict US entry and transit requirements. This include transit through Hawaii or another US point of entry.
Check your visa requirements with a US embassy or consulate well in advance of your travel.
More information:
If you're in Chile and want to return to Australia, register your details with the Australian Embassy in Santiago de Chile.
Entry into Chile
Be aware that entry requirements to Chile can change quickly. Follow Chilean Government updates here.
Chile's borders are closed in April to non-resident foreign nationals from the WHO’s list of ‘Active Countries’. Exemptions on humanitarian grounds may be considered.
All travellers must complete a mandatory 10-day quarantine on arrival in Chile. This cannot be avoided under any circumstances, even when arriving with proof of COVID-19 vaccine, and all costs (quarantine, transfer between quarantine and transitory hotels and COVID-19 PCR tests) will be charged to the traveller. See the Chilean Government’s website and Santiago’s international airport (available in English) for the latest requirements.
Before boarding a flight to Chile, the airline will request three documents:
You will be required to attach your negative COVID-19 (PCR) test results, proof of health insurance covering COVID-19 and the payment of your 5-day stay at the transit hotel.
If granted entry, you will be required to complete the health follow-up form every day, for fourteen days. This form will be sent to the email declared on your “Declaración Jurada de Viajeros”.
You can still transit through Santiago airport, if you do so without passing immigration control. Contact your airline or travel provider for more information.
Staying in Chile
A nationwide curfew is in place between 9pm and 5am. Schools and childcare centres remain closed and public gatherings are restricted depending on the municipality. Movements are highly restricted, particularly in quarantine areas. Quarantine areas can change with little notice.
Chile has a Step-by-Step Plan of local COVID-19 restrictions. A total lockdown is in place in large parts of the country (see “Comunas en Cuarentena”), including the capital Santiago. If you're in a quarantine area, you'll need a permit to leave your residence and can only leave to access essential services, including supermarkets and for medical reasons, on weekends. In areas under quarantine, you will need to present a 'transit permit' if you need to transit during non-curfew hours, and a 'salvoconducto' (letter of safe passage) if you must transit during curfew. A salvoconducto can be obtained online or in person at the nearest Police Station. If you need to move from one Chilean region to another, you may be required to present a “Declaration of Regional Travel” at Sanitary Checkpoints.
As most restrictions are location-dependant and can change quickly, check the restrictions of the location relevant to you at Situación Comunal, and comply with the requirements defined by the Paso a Paso (step-by-step) Plan. If you need a transit permit and/or a salvoconducto (safe passage), visit Comisaría Virtual. If you require a Sanitary Passport to go through Sanitary Checkpoints, you need to complete the relevant online declaration form.
Monitor local media, the Chilean Health Ministry website and its interactive map for updates.
If you're travelling with children aged younger than 18, you may need to show the original, and provide a copy, of the child's birth certificate, particularly if the parent and child don't share a family name.
A child aged under 18 years who isn't accompanied by 1 or both parents must carry 3 copies of:
You also need a Spanish translation of the documents notarised no more than 3 months before travelling at either:
You can use the same document for entry and exit.
A child aged under 18 years born overseas to Chilean parents can enter Chile on an Australian passport and remain for up to 90 days as a tourist.
For stays longer than 90 days, the child must obtain a Chilean passport.
See Local law
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.
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:
Always carry a clear copy of your Australian passport as proof of ID.
Keep your passport in a safe location when not being used.
You'll need to show your Australian passport when:
The local currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP).
Amounts higher than $US10,000 must be declared on arrival and departure. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
US dollars can be readily exchanged throughout Chile.
Check your change as vendors, including taxi drivers, sometimes swap denominations to short-change travellers.
ATMs are widely available. Contact your bank to find out whether your cards will work in Chile. Credit cards are widely accepted.
If you're planning scientific, technical or mountaineering activities in areas classified as 'frontier areas', you need approval from the Chilean Government 90 days before travelling.
Anti-tank mines and landmines are a danger in national reserves and parks near northern borders, including:
Be aware of unexploded weapons outside of military zones in the desert areas bordering Chile and Peru.
Take note of clearly marked landmine fields in the Magallanes region of southern Chile:
To avoid unexploded mines:
To drive in Chile, you need both:
You need to get your IDP before leaving Australia.
Driving in Chile can be dangerous.
Hazards for drivers include:
It's illegal to drive with any blood alcohol content in Chile. Penalties can include jail.
If you intend to drive in Chile:
More information:
Your travel insurance policy may not cover you when riding a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet. Make sure your passenger does too.
Prepaid official taxis are available at the airport.
To protect yourself from crime and overcharging:
Rideshare apps are also available.
Chile has a well-developed metro and bus network, however it is running limited services due to unrest.
Santiago and Valparaiso are served by commuter rail. Opportunities for long-distance travel by rail are limited.
Tourists on inter-city buses, particularly from Calama to San Pedro de Atacama, have been robbed while sleeping.
If you take public transport:
More information:
Some international cruise liners visit Chile.
More information:
DFAT doesn’t provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Chile's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, you should contact your:
Call 132.
Call 131 or go to the hospital.
Call 133 or contact the nearest police station.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your travel insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Chile has 2 main police agencies.
For police reports in English:
Carabineros de Chile (Primera Comisaria)
Santo Domingo 714
Santiago Centro
If you lose your passport and need a police report for insurance, ask for a 'Proof of Loss of Documents' (Spanish: Constancia de Perdida de Documentos) from:
Policia de Investigaciones (PDI)
Eleuterio Ramirez 830
Santiago
Contact your provider with
For any complaints about tourist services or products, either:
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 Embassy in Santiago de Chile.
Isidora Goyenechea 3621
13th Floor, Las Condes
Santiago de Chile
Phone: (+56 2) 2550 3500
Fax: (+56 2) 2550 3560
Email: consular.santiago@dfat.gov.au
Website: chile.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Embajada de Australia en Chile y Ecuador
Twitter: @AusEmbCL
Instagram:AusEmbCL
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.