Namibia: all programs

Namibia at a glance

Namibia is a country in south-western Africa between Angola, Botswana and South Africa, with an Atlantic coastline. About three million people live on a territory one and a half times the size of France, making it one of the least densely populated countries in the world: the Namib desert, red dunes, savannah and national parks cover most of the map. The capital is Windhoek on a highland plateau, the main port is Walvis Bay, and the coastal resort town is Swakopmund.

The economy rests on diamond and uranium mining, fisheries, tourism and agriculture, and in recent years on green energy and coastal hydrogen projects. The official language is English, and the currency is the Namibian dollar, pegged one to one to the South African rand.

History and government

In the late 19th century the territory became the German colony of South West Africa; after the First World War it was run for decades by South Africa. Namibia gained independence on 21 March 1990 after a long struggle and has since been regarded as one of Africa's most stable democracies, with regular elections, independent courts and a free press. The German past is still visible in the architecture of Windhoek and Swakopmund, in bakeries, breweries and street names.

How to move in 2026

Since April 2025 Namibia has required visas from citizens of several countries that previously entered freely, including the European Union, US and UK, while citizens of many other countries keep visa-free entry for 90 days within 180. The law has no separate residence-by-property programme: the route through a home in an estate is offered by developers, and its status is checked before applying. More on the pages Namibia residence by investment and Namibia digital nomad visa.

Rules for specific nationalities

The visa-free period in Namibia depends on the passport.

• Russia. Russian citizens enter Namibia visa-free for 90 days within 180.

Taxes

Personal income tax is progressive, from 0% to 37%. Corporate tax is 30%, VAT 15%, and 10% or 20% is withheld on dividends paid to non-residents. Rates and thresholds are revised in the annual budget, so a calculation for a specific income is done for the current year. More on the page Taxes in Namibia.

Property

Foreigners buy urban apartments and houses in Namibia without major restrictions; a conveyancing lawyer executes the deal and registers it in the deeds registry. Agricultural land is sold to foreigners only with ministry consent, and land reform makes such purchases slow. The places most popular with foreigners are guarded areas of Windhoek, resort Swakopmund and the golf estates on Walvis Bay, where the homes for residence through property are located. Before buying, check the title, municipal debts and the estate's rules.

Business and companies

A foreigner can register a private company with the business and intellectual property authority and own it fully, but can personally work in it only with a work visa or investor permit. Strong sectors are mining, fisheries, tourism, logistics through the port of Walvis Bay and green energy. The country's banks are linked to South African ones, so regional payments go through quickly, and a foreigner needs a residence permit and proof of source of funds to open an account.

Cost of living

Prices come from two independent price databases for 2026, at about 16.6 Namibian dollars per US dollar based on the European Central Bank rand rate of 5 October 2026. Food, restaurants and renting a house with a garden are cheaper than in Europe, while imported goods and cars cost more. Homes for foreigners usually have security, an electric fence and alarms.

Where to live

• Windhoek - the capital at about 1,650 metres with the government, banks, private hospitals and international schools. More in the Windhoek guide.
• Swakopmund - coastal resort town with German architecture and a cool climate, popular with retirees.
• Walvis Bay - the main port, a flamingo lagoon and golf estates where homes are bought for residence.

Practicalities

• Climate. Semi-arid with about 300 sunny days a year, rain from November to April, cool and foggy on the coast.
• Language. English is official, and Afrikaans, German and local languages are widely spoken.
• Transport. A country for driving, with good roads and long distances.
• Safety. Street robberies and car break-ins happen, so foreigners live in homes with security.
• Healthcare. Windhoek's private hospitals are of good quality, complex treatment is done in South Africa, and there is malaria in the north.

Leisure

Namibia is one of Africa's best countries for independent travel: good roads, few people and vast spaces. From Windhoek it is about five hours to Etosha National Park with elephants, giraffes and lions, about five hours to the red dunes of Sossusvlei and about four hours to Swakopmund. In the south lies Fish River Canyon, one of the largest in the world, and in the north-west the Skeleton Coast.

Who Namibia suits

Namibia suits those looking for a calm English-speaking country with sun, space and inexpensive living: remote workers, retirees and investors ready to put money into a business or a home for residence. Those who need a second passport quickly should look at other countries: permanent residence here is possible only after 7-10 years. Murblz specialists help choose the route, check the status of the property route and prepare documents. A consultant in the chat will calculate the cost of support.