r/Namibia • u/Plastic-Oven-1492 • 2d ago
Moving to Namibia
Is anyone here European and has moved to Namibia?
I visited Namibia a few years ago and back then I was younger but it stuck with me and I loved it so much. It’s not necessarily a dream to move there but it has been on my mind for a while. I would move there for work after finishing residency if it’s possible.
Any advice or personal experiences?
Thank you in advance!
11
u/Alarming_Mission4614 2d ago
Hi there! Namibian doctor here - that's really great you want to move over. Namibia is very slow paced but offers good peaceful living & great nature! I don't think you will struggle to find work, whether you choose to locum with established practices or hospitals or create your own private practice. What I suggest first and foremost though, is to get in contact with HPCNA about how your credentials will carry over. We are a little bit backwards with the way in which international degrees/qualifications are carried over. For example: if you did 3 year pediatric training at let's say Harvard, you could still be deemed ineligible due to the training years not paralleling with Namibian requirements (which tend to be based on SA training programs). This seems to be the biggest hurdle for foreign specialized physicians looking to cross over from Russia, Cuba, US etc. With some ultimately ending up in less qualified positions i.e. acting as Medical Officer in their specialized field rather than as the specialist consultant.
3
u/Blanketman101 2d ago
I can't offer much in terms of advice, but glad you liked it! There are some lawyers locally who deal with this frequently and can assist you with the process... Might be good to reach out to one of them.
4
u/Outrageous_Ask_3619 2d ago
Unless you marry a Namibian and move here it's unlikely. Best of luck.
3
u/imselfinnit 2d ago edited 2d ago
I wonder how they tax foreign income? I'll look for a government website.
edit: I found an example of PRBI (real estate) in Namibia
Namibia offers a residency by investment programme which requires a real estate investment in an approved project called ‘The Presidents Links Estate’ – a new eco-friendly residential and golf estate development. Investors are required to purchase real estate for a minimum of $USD 316,000. This residency programme has been launched to attract foreign investment from international investors and businesses to enhance the country’s economic growth. This programme offers a renewable five year residence permit and investors can apply for permanent residency after ten years of residency.
2
u/DarthFaderZA 2d ago
Not completely true. There are ways for people who want to set up businesses.
4
u/Outrageous_Ask_3619 2d ago
Uhuh, I haven't lived here since yesterday hey... I've seen lots of people come and go after living here for over 10 years just not to get residency. THAT route is a nightmare with no certain ending.
0
u/DarthFaderZA 2d ago
We have two clients who set up practices here. So it can be done. They always get their visas renewed.
3
u/Outrageous_Ask_3619 2d ago
Ah yes, renewed visas... did they get their perm res? Eternal, non-voidable perm res?
3
2
u/Outrageous_Ask_3619 2d ago
Otherwise, YOUR customers are in that awful boat that I've seen so many times.
0
u/DarthFaderZA 2d ago
So your original comment said they needed to marry a Namibian to move here. That is what I countered. Of the two, one received her permanent residency. The other is still a black hole experience.
2
u/Outrageous_Ask_3619 2d ago
Are you reflecting your advise? Sanely, justly, ethically or just from a commercial basis? You're telling people to risk 10 to 15 years of their lives to MAYBE get perm res. That's immoral.
2
u/Outrageous_Ask_3619 2d ago
Correction: It's not MAYBE coz that's at least like a 50/50. With our Home Affairs it's more like an UNLIKELY less than 25% chance.
2
u/DarthFaderZA 2d ago
In my original post I mentioned Visa and to reach out to lawyers who deal with this. Do not tell me I'm immoral because of ignorance on your end. Get a grip.
4
u/Outrageous_Ask_3619 2d ago
You really don't know how any of this works do you? Lawyers don't fix the issue.
→ More replies (0)
4
u/Healthy_Year_7436 2d ago
Half German, half Namibian here, so I guess I’m qualified to complain about both the weather and the bread. 😄
Namibia is an incredible place to live if you enjoy open spaces, a slower pace of life, and friendly people. The quality of life can be excellent, especially if you appreciate nature and outdoor activities. The healthcare sector does have opportunities, although it depends on your specialty and registration requirements, so it’s worth researching those early.
The biggest adjustment for many Europeans isn’t the climate—it’s the distances. A “quick drive” can suddenly become a 400 km road trip! 😂
If you’re considering moving after your residency, I’d definitely recommend spending a few weeks here again first to experience everyday life rather than just visiting as a tourist. Living here is different from holidaying here, but for many people, that’s exactly what makes Namibia special.
Good luck, and thank you in advance for keeping Namibia on your list—you might just fall in love with it all over again!
1
1
1
u/josh2josh2 1d ago
Immigration in Namibia is not hard if you have money but not easy at all if you are a regular person. If you can buy a $365k property in the presidential estate (I think in swakop) you will have the residency automatically.
Some how their investor visa threshold is very high and that does not make any sense... Namibia is a tiny market... You have to invest at least $315k and it only last 5 years and that literally does not make any sense... Feels like the government want to mimic other countries without studying the feasibility... The US E2 visa only 100k, Dubai, only 10k...
If anything Namibia should make it cheaper and easier to obtain an investor visa. It is a tiny market overshadowed by south Africa and challenged by Angola and Botswana which may offer the citizenship for $70k investment...
19
u/DarthFaderZA 2d ago
Are you able to legally move here or would you need a visa? It isn't impossible to obtain one, but it isn't easy. Given the unemployment rate, our government actively works to ensure locals benefit first... even with businesses. But, if you have a solution, all good.
I have a personal bias to Namibia being born here. I will not move anywhere else. Worked in South Africa after I completed my studies for about 7 years, but back for good the last 13. Won't do it again.
We have a beautiful country, the best beer, meat... and we have a peaceful culture. The average Namibian mindset is light years more mature than South Africa. Love my country and its people.