Bahrain Healthcare and Money

By | May 9, 2022

Health care

Vaccinations

Vaccination needed receipt required
yellow fever no
cholera no
Typhoid & Polio Yes
malaria no
Eat Drink 1

Overview

Medical care in Manama generally meets European standards. Most doctors speak English. A good range of medicines are available in the pharmacies, some of which are open 24 hours. It is recommended to take out travel health insurance and travel repatriation insurance. An individual first-aid kit should be taken with you and protected according to the temperatures on the way. Check indexdotcom for more information.

Notes vaccinations

[1] Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection for various infectious diseases (e.g. hepatitis A, typhus, bacterial dysentery, amoebic dysentery, lambliasis, worm diseases), which are transmitted through contaminated food or drinks. Water should generally either be boiled or otherwise sterilized before it is used for drinking, brushing teeth and making ice cubes, or it should be bought packaged. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. All modern hotels have their own filter systems. Milk is unpasteurized and should be boiled. Only mix milk powder with sterile water. Dairy products made from unboiled milk should be avoided. Only eat well-cooked meat or fish dishes that are served hot. Beware of pork, mayonnaise and lettuce. Fruit should be peeled and vegetables should be boiled. Warnings are given against eating and buying food from cheap street restaurants and markets.

Other risks

The standard vaccinations for children and adults recommended by the Robert Koch Institute (including against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, measles, rubella, pneumococci, poliomyelitis and influenza) should be refreshed before the trip if necessary. Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection with hepatitis A. Hepatitis B is endemic. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. In the case of long-term stays of more than 3 months or in the case of special exposure, a hepatitis B vaccination should be considered. HIV/AIDS is widespread and a great danger for everyone who takes the risk of infection: Unprotected sexual contacts, unclean syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. Leishmaniasis, transmitted by butterfly mosquitoes, does occur. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents.

Health certificate

For work and long-term stays, an English-language HIV test is required.

Money

Currency

1 Bahrain Dinar (BD) = 1000 fils. Currency code: BD, BHD (ISO code). Banknotes are in denominations of 20, 10, 5, 1 and 1/2 BD and 100 fils; Coins in denominations of 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils.

Credit cards

Diners Club, Mastercard, American Express and Visa are accepted in hotels and larger shops. Withdrawals from ATMs are easily possible with a credit card. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.

ATMs

Bank cards The Girocard (formerly EC card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol. Cash withdrawals are possible in larger cities with a bank card (Maestro) and PIN number if the Maestro or Cirrus sign is present at the ATM. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.

Travelers cheques

Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are hardly available in Austria. Travelers Checks are accepted in Bahrain in Manama by Bahrain Financing Company. You can hardly redeem them in restaurants and shops anymore. Travelers checks can only be cashed in hotels at an unfavorable rate, and hotels also charge a fee for this service. Traveller’s checks are recommended in US dollars.

Bank opening hours

Sat-Wed 07.30-14.00, partly also open in the afternoon. Thursday 7.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. (deviations are possible)

Foreign exchange regulations

No restrictions on the import and export of local currency. Funds of any kind (foreign currency, national currency, gold, travelers cheques, etc.) must be declared upon arrival and may only be taken out again in the amount declared.

Currency Exchange

There are currency exchange facilities at the airport, in the larger hotels and in bureaux de change, where you can get the best exchange rates. There are a few ATMs in Manama that will allow you to withdraw cash in local currency using an international credit/debit card. A return exchange is sometimes problematic, so it is recommended to exchange only the amount of money required.

Currencies

Code Symbol Exchange rates (no guarantee)
BHD 1 EUR = 0.39
1 CHF = 0.47
1 USD = 0.38

Bahrain Money