Language
Overview
The official language is French. About 60 African languages serve as colloquial languages. Fon/Yoruba is predominantly spoken in the south, while tribal languages such as Bariba and Fulani are spoken in the north.
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
01/10/2022 tradition day
04/18/2022 easter monday
05/01/2022 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
05/01/2022 Labor Day
05/26/2022 Ascension of Christ
06/06/2022 Whit Monday
07/09/2022 Tabaski (Islamic Festival of Sacrifice)
01.08.2022 Independence Day
08/15/2022 Assumption Day
10/09/2022 Milad un Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad)
10/26/2022 Armed Forces Day (memorial day honoring the military)
11/01/2022 all saints day
11/30/2022 National holiday
12/25/2022 Christmas
Source: Top-mba-universities.com
The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Eid al-Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported into Benin duty-free (tourists aged 15 and over): 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 25 cigars or 250 g of tobacco; 1 bottle of wine and 1 bottle of spirits; 250ml eau de toilette and 250ml perfume. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Prohibited Exports
Only processed gold jewelry weighing up to 500g can be exported without a permit from the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Republic of Benin
(Also responsible for Austria.)
Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28
Geneva
Switzerland
+41 (0)22 906 84 60.
http://missionbenin.ch
http://missionbenin.ch
Mon-Fri 09.00-13.00 and 14.00-17.00.
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Benin
(With visa issue and certification.)
Burggasse 60
Vienna
Austria
+43 (0)1 523 93 00.
Mon-Fri 09.00-18.00.
Embassy of the Republic of Benin
Honorary consulates in Munich, Saarbrücken and Troisdorf.
Englerallee 23
Berlin
Germany
+49 (0)30 23 63 14 710.
http://www.ambassade-benin.de
http://www.ambassade-benin.de
Mon-Thu 09.00-13.00 and 14.00-17.00, Fri 09.00-16.00. Consular department: submission of applications: Mon-Fri 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Express Visa 10.00-12.00. Return of documents: 14.00-16.00; Express Visa 14.00-15.00.
Business
Business etiquette
Business negotiations are mostly conducted in French. Tropical suits are recommended. We value punctuality. Business hours: Mon-Fri 8am-12.30pm and 3pm-6.30pm.
Business contacts
Ministère de l’Industrie et du Commerce (Ministry of Industry and Commerce) Cotonou, Littoral, BP 363, Benin Tel. +229 (0)21 30 76 45, +229 (0)21 30 30 24. Website: commerce.gouv.bj
Communication
Phone
International direct dialing. Calls from payphones are more expensive.
Mobile phone
GSM 900. Network operators include Libercom, Spacetel-Benin (website: www.spacetelbenin.com) and Telecel Benin (website: www.telecel.com). The reception/transmission range for mobile radio is limited to the area around Porto-Novo and Cotonou and the coastal strip on the Bay of Benin. Mobile phones can be rented on site. More information from the Office de Postes et de Telecommunications du Benin (Internet: www.opt.bj).
Internet
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the main provider is OPT (Internet: www.opt.bj). There is internet/email access in Cotonou.
Post office
Airmail to Europe takes 3-5 days, ground 6-8 weeks. Poste restante shipments are possible. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 08.00-14.00.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
