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| Entry Regulations / General Information |
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Entry for German Nationals |
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Travellers are exempt from holding a visa for a stay of up to one month, provided they hold a national passport valid for at least a further six months.
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Geographical Location |
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Kuwait is situated on the Arabian Peninsula. To the east, the country is bordered by the Gulf of Arabia, to the south and south-west by Saudi Arabia, and to the west and north by Iraq.
Kuwait´s national territory also includes the islands of Failaka, Bubiyan, Miskan, Auhha, Umm Al Maradim, Umm Al Naml, Kubbar, Qurah and Warba, which are situated in the Gulf of Arabia.
Total area: 17,818km².
Administrative divisions: Six governorates (muhafazat) (Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al Kuwayt, Al Jahra´, Hawalli, Mubarak Al-Kabir); in addition, it shares a neutral zone with Saudi Arabia.
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Population |
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Population: approximately 2.5 million (only around 38 per cent of which are Kuwaitis).
Cities (approximate numbers): Kuwait-City (capital) 32,000, As-Salimiyah 145,000, Hawalli 107,000, Jaleeb as-Shuyiuk 180,000, Al-Farwaniyah 83,000, Ahmadi, Jahra.
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Language |
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Arabic; in commercial life, English is spoken as well.
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Time Difference |
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Central European Time (CET) +2 hours (during European summer time: CET +1 hour).
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Electricity |
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220/240V alternating current, 50 Hz. American three-pole plugs are used. Travellers are recommended to carry an adapter.
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Telephone |
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Public phone boxes operate with prepaid cards (available at post offices). Domestic calls can be made free of charge.
The international dialling code for calls from Western Europe to Kuwait is 00965; in the case of calls from Kuwait to Western Europe, the prefix "00" must be dialled prior to the relevant international country code (for instance in the case of calls to Germany: 00-49).
EMERGENCY NUMBERS: Police 199, ambulance 476 56 16 and 476 56 28, fire brigade 241 87 14.
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Mobile Phones |
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Mobile network technologies: GSM 900/1800.
Information for users of mobile phones registered with German network providers: Mobile phones connected to E-Plus, O2, T-Mobile or Vodafone networks can be used due to international roaming agreements. Travellers intending to use other mobile phones are advised to contact their network provider for detailed information.
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Internet |
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Country code suffix: .kw
Internet cafés are available throughout the country.
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Public Holidays |
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1 January (New Year), 25 February (National Holiday), 26 February (Liberation Day). Friday is the weekly day of rest (almost all shops and offices already close at 12p.m. on Thursday). The numerous Islamic public holidays are reckoned according to the lunar year and, accordingly, change from year to year. During Ramadan normal daily business will be altered.
The main holiday season is from July to August.
Business trips during Ramadan and in the main holiday season should be avoided.
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Opening Hours |
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The Islamic weekend lasts from Thursday afternoon to Friday night.
Public services and schools are closed on Thursdays and Fridays; banks are closed on Saturdays.
Banks: Sun to Thurs 8a.m.-12p.m.;
Public offices: Sat to Wed 7a.m.-11a.m. (summer), 7:30a.m.-1:30p.m. (winter);
Private offices: usually Sat to Wed 7a.m.-2p.m., sometimes 8a.m.-1p.m. or 1p.m.-7p.m. (depending on the respective company). Restricted opening hours during the Ramadan period.
Post offices: daily from 7.30a.m.-7.30p.m., during the Ramadan period from 8.15a.m.-4.30p.m.
Shops: Sat to Thurs 9a.m.-1p.m. and 4p.m.-9p.m., Fri 4p.m.-9p.m.; supermarkets are usually open until 11p.m., some of them also offer 24 hour service.
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Clothes |
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Light, airy and easily washable clothes are adequate throughout the year. In January, as well as for the evenings in general (except for the period from May to September), travellers should also take light woollen clothes. Rainwear is required in autumn and spring. Throughout the year, travellers should make sure to take good sunglasses and othe protection against the sun. Female travellers should dress conservatively (knees and shoulders should be kept covered).
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© 2001 All rights reserved TIP Gesellschaft für Touristik-Informations-Programme mbH, München Last updated: 14.03.2007 - Proposals, hints and contact - Copyright
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