Safety in Taiwan

Safety in Taiwan is generally excellent – violent crime is rare, police officers are professional and helpful, and people are kind. That said, expats in Taiwan, particularly in metropolitan areas like Taipei, should exercise basic precautions, such as being aware of their personal belongings in crowded places. Walking or taking public transport at night is safe, but it is best to do so with a companion or in a group.

Natural disasters in Taiwan

Taiwan is located in a seismically active zone, making earthquakes a relatively common occurrence. Although severe, damaging earthquakes happen less frequently, it's important to familiarise yourself with local earthquake safety procedures, such as taking cover under sturdy furniture or against an interior wall away from windows during a quake.

July to November is typhoon season. Typhoons can lead to heavy rainfall, causing landslides and flooding, particularly in the mountainous regions. It's advisable to monitor weather reports during this period and avoid travel to high-risk areas.

The Taiwanese government has efficient early warning systems and emergency procedures in place for both earthquakes and typhoons. In case of a natural disaster, follow the instructions from local authorities and emergency services.

Food and water safety in Taiwan

Because of the frequent earthquakes, water pipes can crack, potentially causing tap water contamination. The quality of tap water in Taiwan varies, but it's safe to drink in most cities after boiling and filtering. Expats moving to Taiwan should consider installing a quality water filtration system or sticking to bottled water. Public drinking fountains are generally equipped with filters and are safe to use.

In Taiwan, food safety standards are generally high, with rigorous inspections and regulations in place. Street food is a major part of Taiwan's food culture, and most vendors maintain good hygiene practices. However, as with any destination, it's important to choose stalls that appear clean and are popular with locals.

Pickpocketing in Taiwan

Although theft is rare, crowded public areas such as markets and public transport hubs are often targeted by pickpockets and occasionally even bag snatchers. In these areas, new arrivals should be careful not to carry valuable items openly and should wear bags on the front of their body rather than on their back. Purse snatching from motorcycles also happens occasionally.

The usual rules of travel apply – keep photocopies of passports and other essential documents in a safe place and, if possible, carry the photocopies themselves in place of the original documents.

Scams in Taiwan

Expats should be aware of scams in Taiwan. Credit card fraud and telephone fraud can occur, where the scam artist will call the victim and claim to be from a government department, bank, or other official office and request personal information such as bank details. ATM fraud is also a risk – when using ATMs, expats should be aware of their surroundings and not accept help from strangers.