Where I Can Live
Flag of Namibia

Africa · English · updated 2026-10

Moving to Namibia: visas, cost of living & citizenship

A single person needs about $1,100 a month to live in Windhoek, and a family of four about $2,450, including rent. Namibia usually lets you apply for permanent residence after 10 yrs, with citizenship after 10 yrs, and dual citizenship is not allowed. You can move here without a job offer through the Digital nomad visa.

Monthly budget
$1,100
Very low cost
Safety
35
Take care
Stability
58
Moderate
Family
28
Limited
Main city
Windhoek
Language
English
Permanent residence
10 yrs
Citizenship
10 yrs
Dual citizenship
Not allowed
Digital nomad visa
Yes
What can your passport do in Namibia?Pick your nationality to see your exact access, visit rules and personal score.
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Cost of living in Namibia, per month in US$

One person
$1,100
Family of four
$2,450
RentGroceriesTransportUtilities & internetEating out & leisureOther
1-bed flat, Windhoek centre
$500
Estimate
3-bed family flat
$950
Estimate
Price level
41
US = 100
Income per person
$362
GNI ÷ 12, World Bank

Safety

Safety score
35
Take care
Homicides per 100k
11.21
US 5.8 · UK 1.0 · Japan 0.2

Political stability & governance

Political stability+0.74
Rule of law+0.38
Control of corruption+0.15
Government effectiveness+0.10
−2.5 weak0strong +2.5

Worldwide Governance Indicators, World Bank. Moderate overall (58/100).

Family-friendliness

Family score
28
Limited
Child outcomes (HCI)
0.508
Health & schooling, 0–1
Under-5 mortality
39.5
per 1,000 births
Life expectancy
67.5 yrs
at birth
Health spending
$397
per person / year
Education spending
9.1%
of GDP

Visa & residence routes

Remote work
Digital nomad visa$2,000/month (+$1,000 for a spouse, $500 per child); 6 months.
Job offer
Employment permitWith a Namibian employer.

Who gets easier access to Namibia

Namibia is not part of a free-movement area in the index.

Visiting: 55 passports can visit visa-free, 0 with an electronic travel authorisation, 54 get a visa on arrival, 0 can apply for an eVisa and 89 need a visa in advance (Passport Index dataset).

Road to permanent residence & citizenship

ArrivePRCitizen024681012+ yrs
Permanent residence
10 yrs
Citizenship
10 yrs
Dual citizenship
Not allowed

Last checked 2026-10.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to live in Namibia?

About $1,100 a month for one person and $2,450 for a family of four in Windhoek, including rent. A city-centre 1-bedroom flat costs around $500 a month and a 3-bedroom around $950. Prices are 41% of US levels. Namibia is the 12th cheapest of the 76 countries in the index.

Is Namibia safe to live in?

Namibia scores 35/100 for safety (take care), ranking 66th of 76. The homicide rate is 11.21 per 100,000 people (US 5.8, UK 1.0, Japan 0.2).

Is Namibia politically stable?

Namibia scores 58/100 for stability (moderate), ranking 46th of 76, based on the World Bank's indicators for political stability, rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness.

Is Namibia good for families?

Namibia scores 28/100 for family-friendliness (limited), ranking 71st of 76. Life expectancy is 67.5 years and under-5 mortality is 39.5 per 1,000 births.

How long does it take to get permanent residence in Namibia?

Usually 10 yrs of legal residence.

How long until I can become a citizen of Namibia?

Usually 10 yrs of residence. Dual citizenship: not allowed.

Can I move to Namibia without a job offer?

Yes. Digital nomad visa: $2,000/month (+$1,000 for a spouse, $500 per child); 6 months.

Does Namibia have a digital nomad visa?

Yes: the Digital nomad visa. $2,000/month (+$1,000 for a spouse, $500 per child); 6 months.

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See also: cheapest countries to live · safest countries · most stable countries · best countries for families · where citizens of Namibia can move