The official languages are Portuguese and Tetum. Bahasa Indonesian and English are also spoken. There are 12 different ethnic groups in Timor-Leste, each speaking their own dialect. Most of these dialects belong to the Austronesian language groups. The main language of Timor-Leste is Tetum, a hybrid language of Austronesian dialect with a strong Portuguese influence.
The following items can be brought duty-free to Timor-Leste in hand luggage (persons over 17 with their own passport): 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos (max. 3 g each) or 75 cigars or 30 g tobacco; 1.5 l of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of more than 22% vol.; 5 liters of wine; 75 g perfume and 375 ml eau de toilette; 1 kg of coffee; 200g Tea Gifts worth US$300.
Prohibited Imports
Weapons, drugs, pornographic products, Chinese medicine and printed matter. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Contact addresses
Honorary Consul of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Witzlebenstraße 6
Berlin
Germany
+49 (0)30 202 374 48.
Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Rue Pestalozzi, 7
Geneva
Switzerland
+41 (0)22 788 35 62.
Communication
Phone
International calls to and from Dili can be made. According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the area code for Dili is 390.
Mobile phone
Network operators are Timor Telecom and Telstra (Internet: www.telstra.com.au/mobile/index.htm). The reception area is limited to Dili and smaller regions like Baukau, Balibo, Suai, Los Palos and Oekussi. In other parts of the country you can only make calls via satellite telephone. There are roaming agreements with Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Internet
The main provider is VPM Internet Services (Internet: www.vpm.com). Internet access is available in some larger hotels.
Post office
A limited postal service exists.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
