Moving to Netherlands from Zambia

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Zambia to Netherlands — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

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

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Zambia to Netherlands, based on official data.

Moved in 2023
48 ↓ 39% vs 2022

people moved from Zambia to Netherlands · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to Netherlands?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Zambia to Netherlands.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

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

per 100,000 people per year

ZM
17.1
NL
3.4

Netherlands performs significantly better than Zambia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

ZM
$244
NL
$8,195
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

ZM
2.6
NL
39.1

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Netherlands 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

ZM
50.0
NL
13.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ZM
0.5t
NL
6.6t

Zambia generally does better on environment, though Netherlands 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

ZM
0.4
NL
44.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ZM
2.8%
NL
16.1%

Netherlands 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

ZM
5.9%
NL
3.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ZM
$3,700
NL
$69,300

Netherlands 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

ZM
66.3 yrs
NL
82.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ZM
37.1
NL
3.4

Netherlands performs significantly better than Zambia across all family life metrics.

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

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

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

Avg. annual high / low

Amsterdam Rain: 30.7 in/yr (780 mm)
56° / 43°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Lusaka Amsterdam
Jan–Mar 80°/62°F (27°/17°C) 45°/34°F (7°/1°C)
Apr–Jun 77°/55°F (25°/13°C) 61°/45°F (16°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 79°/55°F (26°/13°C) 69°/53°F (21°/12°C)
Oct–Dec 85°/64°F (29°/18°C) 50°/40°F (10°/4°C)
View all months
Month Lusaka Amsterdam
Jan 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C) 42°/33°F (5.4°/0.5°C)
Feb 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C) 43°/32°F (6.0°/0.2°C)
Mar 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C) 49°/36°F (9.2°/2.4°C)
Apr 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C) 54°/39°F (12.4°/4.0°C)
May 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C) 63°/46°F (17.1°/7.8°C)
Jun 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C) 67°/51°F (19.2°/10.4°C)
Jul 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C) 71°/54°F (21.4°/12.5°C)
Aug 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C) 71°/54°F (21.8°/12.3°C)
Sep 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C) 65°/50°F (18.4°/10.2°C)
Oct 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C) 57°/45°F (14.1°/7.0°C)
Nov 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C) 49°/39°F (9.2°/3.9°C)
Dec 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C) 44°/35°F (6.5°/1.9°C)

Data: Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD), Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Zambia passport

Zambia passport holder visiting Netherlands

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

Netherlands passport holder visiting Zambia

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Netherlands?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Netherlands has 44.4 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Netherlands safe for expats?

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

How is healthcare in Netherlands compared to Zambia?

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Netherlands leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 39.1 doctors per 10,000 people in Netherlands, compared to 2.6 in Zambia. Netherlands scores 85 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Zambia: 56).

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

The average high temperature in Amsterdam is 56°F, compared to 80°F in Lusaka. Amsterdam receives around 30.7 in of rainfall per year, while Lusaka gets 31.4 in.

What language do they speak in Netherlands?

The official language in Netherlands is Dutch. In Zambia, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

ZM NL
Population 19,642,123 17,400,824
Currency Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) Euro (€)
Languages English Dutch
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +260 +31
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112