Benin
BENBenin is a small West African nation bordering Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Niger, with its economic hub in Cotonou and political capital in Porto-Novo. A founding member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), it uses the CFA franc and shares a common central bank with seven regional neighbours. The country is administratively stable by regional standards, holding regular elections since its 1990 democratic transition.
Its economy relies on re-export trade with Nigeria, cotton agriculture, and a growing port sector at Cotonou. Infrastructure is limited outside urban centres, and healthcare provision remains basic. French is the sole official language; several dozen local languages are widely spoken. Naturalisation requires ten years of lawful residence. Dual citizenship is permitted.
- Naturalisation
- 10 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Porto-Novo
- Region
- africa
- Population
- 13,712,828
- Cost-of-living
- 33 /100
Passport Rank
#93
Visa-Free
60
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Benin passport has visa-free access to 58 destinations. See the full Beninpassport breakdown →
Passports that enter Benin without a prior visa (61)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Country Details
- Capital
- Porto-Novo
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Languages
- French
- Population
- 13,712,828
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 10 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Tropical; two rainy seasons in south, one in north
Indices
Cost of Living
33
Safety
52
Healthcare
34
Quality of Life
38
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 10 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Tourist eVisa
- Business
- Long-stay
- Work
- Family
- Student
- Authority
- Direction de l'Émigration et de l'Immigration
- Official Portal
- www.dei.bj
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- Language Test
- Yes (level n/a)
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- No
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- —
- Processing
- —
Safety
GPI Rank
#72
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Sources & last verified
- Last verified