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Madagascar: plug type, voltage, driving side and emergency number

Quick travel facts for Madagascar (capital: Antananarivo): which plug and voltage to pack for, which side of the road traffic uses, who to call in an emergency, and the calling code, currency and time zone. Data checked 2026-10-27.

Quick answers

What plug type does Madagascar use?

Madagascar uses type C and type E plugs and sockets. Type C is two round pins. Type E is two round pins with a hole for the socket's earth pin. All plug types by country.

What voltage does Madagascar use?

Madagascar uses a mains supply of about 220–230 V at 50 Hz. The two sources give slightly different nominal figures, so a range is shown; the real supply varies a little. Voltage and frequency by country.

Which side of the road do they drive on in Madagascar?

In Madagascar, traffic drives on the right. Driving side by country.

What is the emergency number in Madagascar?

Emergency numbers in Madagascar: police 117; ambulance 124; fire 118. Emergency numbers by country.

What is the calling code for Madagascar?

The international calling code for Madagascar is +261. Dial it after your international access prefix, or type + at the start on a mobile phone. Calling codes by country.

What currency does Madagascar use?

The official currency of Madagascar is the Malagasy ariary (MGA). Currency by country.

What are the official languages of Madagascar?

The official languages of Madagascar are French and Malagasy.

What time zone is Madagascar in?

Madagascar uses UTC+03:00 as its standard time. Clocks do not change for daylight saving time. Time zones by country.

Madagascar travel facts at a glance

Plug typesType C, Type E
Voltage and frequency220–230 V, 50 Hz
Driving sideDrives on the right (right-hand traffic)
Emergency numbersPolice: 117
Ambulance: 124
Fire: 118
International dialling code+261
CurrencyMalagasy ariary (MGA, Ar)
Official languagesFrench, Malagasy
Time zone(s)UTC+03:00 (standard time)
Daylight savingNo clock changes

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a travel adapter for Madagascar?

You need one if your devices have plugs that do not fit type C and type E sockets. A travel adapter only changes the shape of the plug; it does not change the voltage.

Do I need a voltage converter for Madagascar?

Most phone, laptop and camera chargers accept 100 to 240 V, so a plug adapter is usually enough: check the small print on the charger. Devices rated for 110 to 120 V only, such as some hair dryers and kitchen appliances from North America, need a converter or should not be used.

Is this travel information official?

No. GeoKnow is an independent site. The facts come from public datasets and are shown only where at least two sources agree. Always check official government travel advice before you go.

When was this checked?

The data was checked on 2026-10-27. Plugs, emergency numbers and currencies can change, so confirm important details before travelling.

Check before you travel

Data checked 2026-10-27. These facts are compiled from public datasets and are shown only where at least two independent sources agree. GeoKnow is an independent site and is not an official source: rules, plugs, emergency numbers and currencies can change. Before you go, confirm anything important with your government’s travel advice, the destination’s embassy, your airline, hotel or phone provider. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

More about Madagascar

See the main Madagascar country page for the capital, population, land neighbours and outline map. Learn it, then test yourself: Capital Hunt (the capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo), Outline, Guess the Flag, Neighbour Rush and Border Run, or browse all geography games.

Compare topics across countries: plug types, voltage and frequency, driving side, emergency numbers, calling codes, currencies, time zones and tipping.

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Sources: Plugs, voltage and frequency: Wikipedia “Mains electricity by country” and worldstandards.eu. Driving side: Wikipedia “Left- and right-hand traffic” and Wikidata. Emergency numbers: Wikipedia “List of emergency telephone numbers” and Wikidata. Calling codes: Wikipedia “List of telephone country codes”, Wikidata and REST Countries. Currency: REST Countries and Wikidata. Languages: REST Countries and Wikidata. Time zones: the IANA time zone database, cross-checked against Wikipedia or Wikidata. Tipping: Wikipedia “List of tipping customs by country” (single source, community edited).