Moving to Spain from Rwanda

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Rwanda to Spain, and you’d need to navigate life in Basque, Catalan, Galician and Spanish. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Madrid averages 68°F vs 80°F in Kigali, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Rwanda to Spain.

Moved in 2019
23 ↓ 12% vs 2018

people moved from Rwanda to Spain · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to Spain?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Spain compared to Rwanda.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

RW
3.6
ES
0.7
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

RW
11.6
ES
3.5

Spain performs significantly better than Rwanda across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

RW
$177
ES
$4,935
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

RW
1.2
ES
44.8

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Spain 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

RW
62.0
ES
10.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

RW
0.2t
ES
4.5t

Rwanda generally does better on environment, though Spain leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

RW
0.3
ES
36.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

RW
20.2%
ES
43.2%

Spain generally does better on infrastructure, though Rwanda leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

RW
14.9%
ES
12.1%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

RW
$3,000
ES
$46,400

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

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

RW
65.8 yrs
ES
82.5 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

RW
26.4
ES
2.5

Spain performs significantly better than Rwanda across all family life metrics.

Data: Rwanda Revenue Authority, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Kigali Rain: 37.4 in/yr (951 mm)
80° / 60°F

Avg. annual high / low

Madrid Rain: 16.6 in/yr (421 mm)
68° / 50°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kigali Madrid
Jan–Mar 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 55°/40°F (13°/4°C)
Apr–Jun 79°/61°F (26°/16°C) 73°/53°F (23°/12°C)
Jul–Sep 82°/60°F (28°/16°C) 86°/64°F (30°/18°C)
Oct–Dec 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 58°/44°F (14°/7°C)
View all months
Month Kigali Madrid
Jan 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.6°C) 50°/37°F (9.8°/2.7°C)
Feb 81°/60°F (27.4°/15.8°C) 54°/39°F (12.0°/3.7°C)
Mar 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C) 61°/43°F (16.3°/6.2°C)
Apr 79°/61°F (26.2°/16.1°C) 65°/46°F (18.2°/7.7°C)
May 79°/61°F (25.9°/16.2°C) 72°/52°F (22.2°/11.3°C)
Jun 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.3°C) 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.1°C)
Jul 81°/59°F (27.1°/15.0°C) 90°/66°F (32.1°/19.0°C)
Aug 82°/61°F (28.0°/16.0°C) 88°/66°F (31.3°/18.8°C)
Sep 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.0°C) 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.4°C)
Oct 81°/61°F (27.2°/15.9°C) 67°/51°F (19.4°/10.7°C)
Nov 79°/60°F (26.1°/15.5°C) 56°/43°F (13.5°/6.2°C)
Dec 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.6°C) 50°/38°F (10.0°/3.6°C)

Data: Rwanda Meteorology Agency Rwanda Meteorology Agency, Agencia Estatal de Meteorología Agencia Estatal de Meteorología

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Rwanda passport

Rwanda passport holder visiting Spain

Visa Required
Rwanda passport holders need a visa to enter Spain.
Spain passport

Spain passport holder visiting Rwanda

Visa on Arrival
Spain passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Rwanda.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Spain?

Connectivity is usually fine (Spain: 36.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Spain offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Spain safe for expats?

Spain performs significantly better than Rwanda across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Spain is 0.7 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.6 in Rwanda.

How is healthcare in Spain compared to Rwanda?

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Spain leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 44.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Spain, compared to 1.2 in Rwanda. Spain scores 85 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Rwanda: 49).

What's the weather like in Spain compared to Rwanda?

The average high temperature in Madrid is 68°F, compared to 80°F in Kigali. Madrid receives around 16.6 in of rainfall per year, while Kigali gets 37.4 in.

What language do they speak in Spain?

The official languages in Spain are Basque, Catalan, Galician and Spanish. In Rwanda, the official languages are English, French and Kinyarwanda.

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At a Glance

RW ES
Population 13,173,730 47,163,418
Currency Rwandan Franc (RWF) Euro (€)
Languages English, French, Kinyarwanda Basque, Catalan, Galician, Spanish
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +250 +34
Time zones 1 2
Emergency number 112 112