Martinique mixes the bustle of Fort-de-France with rum distilleries, rainforest trails on the slopes of Mount Pelée in the north and the white-sand beaches of Sainte-Anne and Les Salines in the south. The island is a French overseas region and therefore part of the EU: an EU SIM keeps working under Roam Like at Home. Martinique sits outside the Schengen area, though, and phones with a SIM from outside the EU are billed for roaming by their own operator.
Key facts for Martinique
- EU roaming: covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Digicel (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 112; ambulance (SAMU) 15; police 17; fire 18
- Embassies: none on the island; the UK and the US list their embassies in Paris
Arriving
Flights land at Aimé Césaire airport in Le Lamentin, about ten minutes from Fort-de-France. Because Martinique is outside Schengen, holders of a Schengen visa need an extension valid for France's overseas departments, while citizens of the EU, the EEA, Switzerland, Andorra and Monaco travel with an identity card. US and Canadian citizens can stay for up to three months without a visa.
Mount Pelée and the north
Mount Pelée, which destroyed the town of Saint-Pierre in 1902, is an active volcano under close watch. In August 2026 the observatory kept its alert level at yellow, meaning vigilance, and judged the chance of an eruption in the short term to be low. The climb is a serious hike in cloud and wind, so start early, carry water and download offline maps before leaving the coast.
Unrest, crime and scams
In autumn 2024 protests led to curfews imposed at short notice, a ban on selling fuel and fireworks, and disruption to transport, including flights. If demonstrations break out during your stay, keep away from them and follow the instructions of the local authorities. Crime levels are low, but avoid isolated places and beaches after dark, and be wary of romance scams, requests for money and pushy beach sellers.
Health and the season
Dengue has been circulating more intensely since the start of 2026, with more than 1,000 cases reported by the end of March, mostly in the south, and chikungunya and Zika are also present: wear repellent day and night. Leptospirosis is endemic and peaks in the June to November rains, so keep cuts away from rivers and streams. Hospitals are of a similar standard to those in France, the university hospital in Fort-de-France has a decompression chamber for divers, and European health cards, as well as the UK's GHIC, are accepted. The hurricane season runs from June to November.
Getting around
French driving laws apply. You can drive from 18 with a valid licence, but most rental companies only hire to drivers aged 21 or over. The high-speed boats of the Express des Îles link Fort-de-France with Guadeloupe, Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, Dominica and Saint Lucia. Dominica and Saint Lucia are outside the EU, so turn off data roaming on an EU SIM before you sail there. The currency is the euro; some businesses also take US dollars, and cards are widely used.
Getting connected
EU visitors: your own plan works on the local networks as it does at home.
Visitors from outside the EU: a travel eSIM installed before the trip connects on arrival at Le Lamentin. A Caribbean plan also works in Guadeloupe, Dominica and Saint Lucia if you are island hopping. Keep your regular SIM in the phone for verification codes, with data roaming disabled.
Local SIMs: Digicel, Orange and Outremer Télécom are among the operators, and local mobile numbers begin with +596 696.
Consular protection: who to call in Martinique
- Dial 112, or 15 for the SAMU medical service, 17 for the police and 18 for the fire brigade.
- Martinique is part of France, so foreign countries do not have embassies there. The UK covers it from its embassy in Paris, and the US also lists its Paris embassy for Martinique; before travelling, check which mission handles the island for your own country.
- French is the official language, and Martinican Creole is widely spoken.
Questions travellers ask about Martinique
Is Martinique covered by EU roaming?
Yes. It is part of France and the EU, so Roam Like at Home applies, but remember that Dominica and Saint Lucia, a ferry ride away, are not covered.
Can I hike up Mount Pelée?
Yes, when the trails are open. The volcano is monitored and was on yellow alert in August 2026; check conditions and the weather before you set out.
Which network does a Telcomia eSIM use in Martinique?
Digicel, with 4G where available.
Do I need a visa?
EU citizens only need an identity card. Schengen visa holders need an extension for the overseas departments, and US and Canadian citizens can visit for up to three months without a visa.
The short version
Bring repellent for dengue, turn off EU roaming before ferries to Dominica or Saint Lucia, check Mount Pelée's conditions before hiking, avoid demonstrations, set up the eSIM before flying if your SIM is from outside the EU, and save 112 and 15.
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