Medical repatriation from Ivory Coast to France
A patient treated in Abidjan or elsewhere in Côte d’Ivoire needs to reach a hospital in France. We plan each stage, from the ward in Côte d’Ivoire to the French hospital that has agreed to take over.
From Abidjan to France: airports and flight times
[Route to be confirmed by the company]
Departures are usually from Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport, in Port-Bouët, about 16 km south-east of central Abidjan. For a patient in San-Pédro, Bouaké, Korhogo or Man, an air ambulance can sometimes use the local domestic airport, depending on the runway and permits; otherwise the journey starts with a transfer to Abidjan.
Abidjan is about 4,900 km from Paris-Charles de Gaulle as the crow flies. Direct scheduled flights to France all land in Paris: Air France and Air Côte d’Ivoire at Charles de Gaulle, Corsair at Orly. Corsair gives a flight time of about six and a half hours. Other French cities mean continuing from Paris, unless an air ambulance flies there directly.
Choosing the means of transport
Air ambulance
A medical aircraft flies from Abidjan or a regional airport to the French airport nearest the receiving hospital. Flight time depends on the aircraft, the winds and any technical stop: as an indication only, allow at least the six and a half hours of a direct flight. See air ambulance.
Stretcher on a scheduled flight
Possible on a direct flight to Paris, if the airline’s medical service clears the MEDIF and the aircraft can take a stretcher. See stretcher on a scheduled flight.
Seat with a medical escort
For a patient able to sit through a long flight, a doctor or nurse travels alongside to Paris and hands over to the receiving team. See medical escort.
In each case, ambulances link hospital and aircraft at both ends for a bed-to-bed transfer.
Visas and the yellow fever certificate
An Ivorian patient, and any Ivorian relative travelling with them, needs a Schengen short-stay visa for France. France-Visas sets out a procedure for a stay for medical care, including the receiving hospital’s written agreement and a cost estimate.
A relative flying out on a French passport needs a biometric visa, from the Ivorian consulate in Paris or through online pre-enrolment, with the e-visa issued on arrival in Abidjan. The passport must be valid for more than six months.
According to the French foreign ministry’s health advice for Côte d’Ivoire (in French), yellow fever vaccination is compulsory to enter the country, and vaccination records are checked systematically on arrival. Get vaccinated at an approved centre, preferably at least ten days before departure.
Timescale and cost
The date depends on the medical agreement, a confirmed bed in France and, for a relative, a visa and a yellow fever certificate. Our usual time from agreement to take-off is [usual time from agreement to take-off].
The cost depends on the transport chosen, the arrival city and the medical team. With travel insurance or an assistance contract, contact the assistance company first: its agreement is often required. See our page on costs.
Medical information
This page is general information and does not replace the treating doctor’s advice. The decision to fly rests with the treating doctor and the airline’s or operator’s medical team. In an emergency, call the local emergency number, or 112 in the European Union.
Questions about repatriation from Côte d’Ivoire
Is there a direct flight from Abidjan to Lyon or Marseille?
Not on scheduled services, which land in Paris. An air ambulance can fly straight to the regional airport; by scheduled flight, the patient continues from Paris by ambulance or connecting flight.
Does a relative flying to Abidjan need a yellow fever certificate?
Yes. Vaccination is compulsory to enter Côte d’Ivoire and the booklet is checked on arrival. French nationals also need a visa, so allow time for both.
Can you work with the patient’s insurer?
Yes. We work with the case manager on a guarantee of payment and provide the medical reports the file requires. See our page for insurers and assistance companies.
Organise a transfer from Côte d’Ivoire to France
Tell us where the patient is and which city in France they need to reach. Our medical team reviews the file and we reply with a written quote. You can also write to us on WhatsApp or see our other routes.