Going to au Qatar: Formalities and administrative steps

Organize your stay au Qatar

Money Money au Qatar

Currency. The riyal is divided into 100 dirhams, centimes that should not be confused with the United Arab Emirates dirham (AED). So 100 Qatari dirhams are worth around 1 Emirati dirham. In short, for the euro, you're roughly in a one-to-five ratio with the riyal: 100 QAR ≃ €20. Banknote denominations: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500.

Exchange rate in October 2024: 1 € or US$ = 4 QAR - 1 QAR = 0.25 € or US$.

Banking. ATMs are available everywhere. Credit cards are accepted everywhere. You can also pay by card in cabs.

Budget & Tips Budget & Tips au Qatar

Small budget. Expect to pay between €40 and €80 per day per person, including accommodation in 3 or 4-star hotels, meals, cab fares and sightseeing.

Medium budget. Allow between €100 and €150 per day, including car rental, accommodation in 4- or 5-star hotels, restaurant meals and sightseeing.

Large budget. Count on more than €200 per day, with accommodation in ultra-luxury 5-star hotels, sports, meals in chic restaurants, car rental and excursions.

Haggling. It's tradition to haggle for 30-50% of the price of souvenirs at the Souq Waqif!

Passport and visas Passport and visas au Qatar

You don't need a visa to travel to Qatar as a citizen of France, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland or the Schengen area. Presenting a passport valid for 6 months after your arrival date and a return ticket (in theory, as they never ask for one) will allow you to stay for a maximum of 90 days.

Driver's license Driver's license au Qatar

As a tourist, you can rent a car for up to 15 days with your French driving license.

Health Health au Qatar

Very hot weather from June to October is compounded by high humidity. July 14 generally marks the peak, with temperatures reaching 52°C and humidity of around 80%. To avoid the risk of dehydration, it's essential to drink even when you're not thirsty, especially during periods of extreme heat and high humidity (mid-May to mid-October).

Mandatory vaccination Mandatory vaccination au Qatar

No mandatory vaccinations. It is recommended to update the DTP diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis vaccination. Other recommended vaccinations (depending on hygiene conditions and length of stay): typhoid fever, viral hepatitis A and B. For long stays, vaccination against rabies may be recommended.

Security Security au Qatar

There are few problems of delinquency in Doha, where crime is severely punished. In the city's residential districts, however, we are beginning to record cases of theft, but without break-ins. However, it's safe to walk alone in the city center, even in the evenings. This is one of the major attractions of the destination, for tourists and expatriates alike.

Time difference Time difference au Qatar

UTC/GMT +3, in the AST (Arabia Standard) zone. Doha is at +2 when Paris is on summer time. When Paris is on winter time, Doha is at +1.

Spoken languages Spoken languages au Qatar

Arabic is the official language, and the language of law, since all administrative and legal documents are written in Arabic. English, however, is spoken and understood almost everywhere in the city. It is the language of business, shopping and tourism.

Electricity and measurements Electricity and measurements au Qatar

Electricity: 220 volts on all floors. Adapters are available in hotels and USB sockets in rooms for cell phones.

Weights and measures: in liters and kilometers.

Luggage Luggage au Qatar

Pack light and airy, because in hot weather, tight-fitting clothes make you sweat. Especially since tight-fitting clothes are taboo and frowned upon, and it's customary to dress "gently", especially for women: no cleavage, miniskirts and heels. Take light cardigans and sweaters indoors - the air-conditioning is often polar and you catch a cold quickly - and for windy evenings in winter. If you want to swim on public beaches, make sure you're dressed for it. In hotels, bikinis are perfectly normal.

Daily life au Qatar

Hello? Hello? au Qatar

To call from Qatar to France, dial 00 +33 followed by your correspondent's number without the leading zero.

To call Qatar from France, dial 00 +974 followed by your correspondent's number.

To dial locally, enter eight digits without the initial 0 or the city or area code. You'll find free wi-fi everywhere, even in the metro, and it's not essential to buy a local chip, except if you're driving for the GPS, as the freeways are huge and you'll need help with navigation.

Accessibility Accessibility au Qatar

Qatar is perfectly suited to people with reduced mobility (PRM) and families with baby carriages, as hotels, subways and malls are all equipped with elevators. That's the advantage of an ultra-modern city.

Emergency numbers Emergency numbers au Qatar

For emergencies, dial 999, which connects you to the fire department, ambulance and police.

LGBTQ LGBTQ au Qatar

Homosexuality is forbidden and any LGBTQ movement outlawed in Qatar, but business being what it is, the authorities have officially announced that the community is welcome for the Fifa World Cup 2022, perhaps the beginning of an opening, at least for tourists.

Embassies and consulates Embassies and consulates au Qatar

Embassy of France (Diplomatic District St; ✆ +974 4402 1777; www.ambafrance-qa.org; [email protected]).
Embassy open Sunday through Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4:30 p.m. Consular section: by appointment to be taken online. Notary, nationality, scholarships and civil status: appointments to be made by phone ✆ +974 4402 1734. Emergency number (and only) ✆ +974 66 84 50 83. For a while yet, before forced relocation to the new diplomatic quarter on the outskirts of the Pearl, the French Embassy raises the colors at the foot of the azure towers. The French residence, on the private waterfront, is just opposite. If you lose your papers, the consular section will issue you an emergency passport or a simple pass to return to the country.

Mail Mail au Qatar

General Post Office (Corner Khalifa St and Corniche; +974 4446 4000; www.qpost.com.qa). Open: 7am-8pm, Saturday 8am-11am, closed Fridays. For faster deliveries, use the local Chronopost, the Mumtaz Express Courier Service.

Local media Local media au Qatar

Created in November 1996 by Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, the channel's current CEO, Chairman of the Board and cousin of the former Emir of Qatar, Al Jazeera has revolutionized the Arab television landscape, which until now had been dominated by state-owned channels, and has served the political ambitions of the wealthy small emirate. After setting up an English-language channel in 2006, this television network with unlimited resources launched Al Jazeera Balkans in November 2011, and more recently Al Jazeera Turk, while a Swahili-language channel is currently under study. Al Jazeera also has a channel dedicated to documentaries, a bouquet of sports channels, one for live coverage and a children's channel. After years of providing a platform for protesters on all sides of authoritarian regimes in the Maghreb and the Middle East, the channel boasts of having contributed to the Arab Spring, broadcasting live coverage of the uprisings that have already led to the downfall of four Arab autocrats. But its critics consider its editorial line too favorable to the Islamists who are triumphing in the countries of the Arab Spring. Al Jazeera has over 65 bureaus around the world and more than 3,000 employees, including some 400 journalists from some 60 countries. The constantly expanding Doha-based network includes Al Jazeera Satellite channel (Arabic), Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera Documentary, Al Jazeera Sport, Al Jazeera Mubasher (Live), Al Jazeera Media Training and Development Centre, Al Jazeera Centre for Studies, Al Jazeera Mobile, Al Jazeera.net (Arabic web), Al Jazeera English Online.

In the print media, several Arabic-language dailies and three English-language ones compete for tens of thousands of readers. Surf to them for information on the country and its capital: www.qatar-tribune.com / www.gulf-times.com / www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Qatar has chosen RFI as its partner for the launch of its first French-language radio station, Oryx FM. The agreement covers the broadcasting of the international radio station's programs and a training program for the station's journalists and producers. The success of this project is the result of a joint effort by teams from Audiovisuel Extérieur de la France, the French Embassy in Doha and Qatar Media Corporation. The radio station broadcasts throughout Qatar on 94FM, 24 hours a day. Oryx FM benefits from the experience of RFI, which covers international news from an independent, impartial and pluralist French perspective. This is a new link between French and Arab cultures in Qatar.