Moving to Zambia from Germany

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Germany to Zambia? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Germany to Zambia, and you’d need to navigate life in English. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Lusaka averages 80°F vs 56°F in Berlin, making it significantly warmer.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Germany to Zambia.

Living there in 2020
341 ↑ 39% vs 2015

people born in Germany live in Zambia · UN DESA

Who's moving to Zambia?

Top countries of origin for Zambia's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Zambia compared to Germany.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

DE
0.8
ZM
5.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

DE
3.3
ZM
17.1

Germany performs better than Zambia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

DE
$8,826
ZM
$244
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

DE
45.2
ZM
2.6

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Germany leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

DE
15.0
ZM
50.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

DE
6.9t
ZM
0.5t

Germany generally does better on environment, though Zambia leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

DE
45.0
ZM
0.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

DE
35.4%
ZM
2.8%

Germany generally does better on infrastructure, though Zambia leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

DE
3.0%
ZM
5.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

DE
$61,900
ZM
$3,700

Germany generally does better on employment & economy, though Zambia leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

DE
81.5 yrs
ZM
66.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

DE
3.2
ZM
37.1

Germany performs better than Zambia across all family life metrics.

Data: Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt), The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Berlin Rain: 22.5 in/yr (571 mm)
56° / 43°F

Avg. annual high / low

Lusaka Rain: 31.4 in/yr (798 mm)
80° / 59°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Berlin Lusaka
Jan–Mar 41°/31°F (5°/-1°C) 80°/62°F (27°/17°C)
Apr–Jun 64°/47°F (18°/8°C) 77°/55°F (25°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 72°/55°F (22°/13°C) 79°/55°F (26°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 47°/37°F (8°/3°C) 85°/64°F (29°/18°C)
View all months
Month Berlin Lusaka
Jan 37°/29°F (2.9°/-1.9°C) 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C)
Feb 40°/29°F (4.2°/-1.5°C) 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C)
Mar 47°/34°F (8.5°/1.3°C) 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C)
Apr 56°/40°F (13.2°/4.2°C) 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C)
May 66°/48°F (18.9°/9.0°C) 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C)
Jun 71°/54°F (21.6°/12.3°C) 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C)
Jul 75°/58°F (23.7°/14.3°C) 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C)
Aug 74°/57°F (23.6°/14.1°C) 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C)
Sep 66°/51°F (18.8°/10.6°C) 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C)
Oct 56°/44°F (13.4°/6.4°C) 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C)
Nov 45°/36°F (7.1°/2.2°C) 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C)
Dec 40°/31°F (4.4°/-0.4°C) 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C)

Data: Deutscher Wetterdienst Deutscher Wetterdienst, Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD)

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Germany and Zambia. To live, work, or study long-term in Zambia, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Zambia's immigration authority.

Germany passport

Germany passport holder visiting Zambia

Visa Free
Germany passport holders can enter Zambia without a visa.
Zambia passport

Zambia passport holder visiting Germany

Visa Required
Zambia passport holders need a visa to enter Germany.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Zambia?

Connectivity is usually fine (Zambia: 0.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Zambia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Zambia safe for expats?

Germany performs better than Zambia across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Zambia is 5.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.8 in Germany.

How is healthcare in Zambia compared to Germany?

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Germany leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 2.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Zambia, compared to 45.2 in Germany. Zambia scores 56 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Germany: 88).

What's the weather like in Zambia compared to Germany?

The average high temperature in Lusaka is 80°F, compared to 56°F in Berlin. Lusaka receives around 31.4 in of rainfall per year, while Berlin gets 22.5 in.

What language do they speak in Zambia?

The official language in Zambia is English. In Germany, the official language is German.

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At a Glance

DE ZM
Population 84,316,622 19,642,123
Currency Euro (€) Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Languages German English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +49 +260
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112