🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea
Malabo: what to see and whether to move there
Perched on volcanic Bioko Island, Malabo mixes Spanish colonial architecture and green crater lakes with a waterfront promenade that fills with thousands of fruit bats at dusk.
Catedral de Santa Isabel
A late 19th-century neo-Gothic cathedral, the architectural centrepiece of the city.
Centro Cultural de España en Malabo
A Spanish cultural centre hosting exhibitions and events centred on Equatoguinean art.
Paseo Marítimo
The waterfront promenade, where thousands of straw-coloured fruit bats fill the evening sky.
Parque Nacional de Malabo
A national park on the city's edge with trails through West African tropical flora and fauna.
Pico Basile
The country's highest peak (3,011 m), with panoramic views toward Mount Cameroon.
Mercado Central de Malabo
The city's central market for local crafts, fresh fruit and street food.
Malabo II
A lively newer district full of restaurants, bars and everyday city life.
Palacio del Pueblo
The presidential palace with its colonial-era façade, one of downtown's landmark buildings.
Restaurante La Bahía
A seafood restaurant on the waterfront serving fresh catch with views over the Gulf of Guinea.
Playa de Arena Blanca
A white-sand beach just outside the city, a popular weekend getaway spot.
Is it worth moving to Malabo in 2026
Malabo is the capital of Equatorial Guinea, a small oil and gas state in Central Africa, and sits on the volcanic island of Bioko in the Gulf of Guinea. It is the only country in Africa where Spanish is an official language, so the city has Spanish colonial buildings, a Catholic cathedral and many Spanish-style cafés. The economy runs on oil and gas, and most foreigners come on contracts with energy, construction and service companies.
For living by choice Malabo is a poor fit: housing and imported food are expensive, there are few international flights, and residence is almost always tied to a job. The city makes sense if you have a contract or business in the country, and then the key is to arrange entry, the work permit and housing correctly.
Cost of living in Malabo
| Item | Per month |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom apartment in the centre | ~$615-900 |
| One-bedroom apartment outside the centre | ~$225-345 |
| Home internet | ~$17 |
| Mobile plan | ~$18 |
| Public transport pass | ~$27 |
| Lunch at a cheap café | ~$9-10 |
| Average salary after tax | ~$330-395 |
Prices come from several independent price databases for 2025-2026 and are shown in dollars. The local currency is the Central African franc, pegged to the euro, about 585 francs per dollar in early October 2026. There is little open price data for Malabo, and sources differ widely. Apartments and houses in guarded compounds where foreign company staff live cost far more than the averages, and the rent is usually paid by the employer.
Where to live in Malabo: neighbourhoods
- Malabo II - new district with ministries, hotels, malls and modern apartment buildings.
- Sipopo - seaside area east of the city with villas, a conference centre and hotels.
- Historic centre - Spanish houses, Saint Elizabeth Cathedral and the waterfront, convenient but with little housing for foreigners.
- Guarded compounds - company settlements with security, generators and water where most foreign staff live.
Power and water cuts happen, so when choosing housing check the generator, water storage and security.
Entry and residence
Russian citizens need a visa. Since 1 July 2023 the country has an e-visa: the application is filed online, the fee is $75, a decision usually comes within one to three days, and entry must be through Malabo airport. For work and long-term living, a work permit is obtained through the employer, followed by residence. The law requires companies to hire local citizens where possible, so a foreigner must show that their skills are scarce in the country.
Equatorial Guinea has no separate residence for investors, remote workers or retirees. Documents are in Spanish, and foreign certificates are translated and legalised.
Taxes in Equatorial Guinea
| Annual income | Rate |
|---|---|
| up to 1,400,000 francs, ~$2,400 | 0% |
| 1,400,001-5,000,000 francs | 10% |
| 5,000,001-10,000,000 francs | 15% |
| 10,000,001-15,000,000 francs | 20% |
| over 15,000,000 francs, ~$25,700 | 25% |
Residents pay income tax on worldwide income, non-residents only on income from Equatorial Guinea. Tax on salary is withheld by the employer. Corporate tax is 25%, and there is a minimum tax of 1.5% of turnover payable even at a loss. The standard VAT rate is 15%, the reduced rate 5% on some basic goods and books.
Renting and buying property
Most foreigners rent rather than buy, and the lease is often signed by the employer. Rent is usually paid several months upfront. A purchase by a foreigner should be considered only after the title to the land and house has been checked with a notary, as land disputes are not unusual here.
Climate and daily life
The climate is equatorial: hot and humid all year, around 25-31 degrees, with rain most of the year and a drier spell from December to February. The official languages are Spanish, French and Portuguese, and everyday life is mostly in Spanish. Malaria is widespread, so plan mosquito protection and health insurance with evacuation in advance. There are private clinics, but complex treatment is done abroad. Photographing government buildings and military sites is forbidden, and police check documents often.
Pitfalls
- High prices for housing and imported food.
- Residence is almost always tied to a job.
- E-visa holders may enter only through Malabo airport.
- Few international flights.
- Malaria and weak medical care.
- Minimum tax of 1.5% of turnover even at a loss.
Murblz specialists help with the visa, work permit, residence and company registration. A consultant in the chat will calculate the cost of support.
FAQ
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Relocation options
Moving to Malabo on an oil contract?
We prepare the documents for the visa and work permit, translate and certify your family's papers and go over the tax on your contract. The catalogue covers relocation to every country.