Overview
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in Berlin is the principal Mauritanian diplomatic mission in Central Europe, formally accredited to both Germany and Austria. Located on Joachimsthalerstraße near the Kurfürstendamm in Berlin-Charlottenburg, the embassy is headed by Ambassador Boubacar Kane (since October 2023). Mauritania — the vast, largely Saharan Islamic republic on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, bridging the Arab Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa — maintains this Berlin mission as the hub for its consular and diplomatic activity in the German-speaking world. The embassy handles visa issuance (including visa on arrival pre-approval), passport services, and document authentication for Mauritanian nationals in Germany and Austria. Mauritania offers adventurous travellers some of Africa's most striking heritage: the ancient caravan cities of Chinguetti, Ouadane, Tichitt, and Oualata (all UNESCO World Heritage), the Banc d'Arguin coastal wetlands (UNESCO, one of the world's most important sites for migratory birds), and the Richat Structure — the so-called Eye of the Sahara. An honorary consulate in Hamburg covers the northern German states. The Austrian Embassy in Rabat, Morocco covers Austria's consular interests in Mauritania.
Visa Services
The visa department (visa@mauretanien-embassy.de) processes tourist, business, and official visa applications. Mauritania also offers visa on arrival at Nouakchott airport for most nationalities (approximately 55 EUR or 60 USD). The embassy can issue pre-approved visas for travellers who prefer to arrange documentation before departure. Applications require a valid passport (minimum 6 months validity), passport photos, a completed form, and supporting documents depending on the visa category. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from an endemic country. Austrian residents apply at this Berlin embassy, as there is no Mauritanian diplomatic presence in Austria.
Consular Services
The embassy provides consular services to Mauritanian nationals in Germany and Austria: passport issuance and renewal, civil registration, document legalisation, and emergency travel documents. The BMEIA notes that Austrian documents intended for use in Mauritania require legalisation by the Austrian Foreign Ministry followed by certification by this embassy in Berlin.
Service Area
The embassy covers the entire Federal Republic of Germany and, by accreditation, the Republic of Austria. An honorary consulate in Hamburg (Samlandweg 233, 22415 Hamburg, HC Abbad Cheik) serves the northern German states of Hamburg, Bremen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein.