Moving to Rwanda from Spain

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Spain to Rwanda, and you’d need to navigate life in English, French and Kinyarwanda. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Kigali averages 80°F vs 68°F in Madrid, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Rwanda compared to Spain.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

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

per 100,000 people per year

ES
3.5
RW
11.6

Spain performs better than Rwanda across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

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

affects wait times and access to care

ES
44.8
RW
1.2

Spain generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Rwanda leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

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

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ES
4.5t
RW
0.2t

Spain generally does better on environment, though Rwanda 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

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

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ES
43.2%
RW
20.2%

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

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

a broad measure of economic output per person

ES
$46,400
RW
$3,000

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

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

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ES
2.5
RW
26.4

Spain performs better than Rwanda across all family life metrics.

Data: Agencia Tributaria, Spain, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

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

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

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

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Spain passport

Spain passport holder visiting Rwanda

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

Rwanda passport holder visiting Spain

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Rwanda?

Connectivity is usually fine (Rwanda: 0.3 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Rwanda offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Rwanda safe for expats?

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

How is healthcare in Rwanda compared to Spain?

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

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

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

What language do they speak in Rwanda?

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

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At a Glance

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