Moving to Spain from Zambia

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Zambia to Spain, and you’d need to navigate life in Basque, Catalan, Galician and Spanish. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Madrid averages 68°F vs 80°F in Lusaka, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

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

Moved in 2019
14 ↑ 56% vs 2018

people moved from Zambia 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 Zambia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

ZM
5.2
ES
0.7
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ZM
17.1
ES
3.5

Spain performs significantly better than Zambia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

ZM
$244
ES
$4,935
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

ZM
2.6
ES
44.8

Zambia 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

ZM
50.0
ES
10.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ZM
0.5t
ES
4.5t

Zambia 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

ZM
0.4
ES
36.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ZM
2.8%
ES
43.2%

Spain 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%
ES
12.1%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ZM
$3,700
ES
$46,400

Zambia generally does better on employment & economy, though Spain leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

ZM
66.3 yrs
ES
82.5 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ZM
37.1
ES
2.5

Spain 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

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months Lusaka Madrid
Jan–Mar 80°/62°F (27°/17°C) 55°/40°F (13°/4°C)
Apr–Jun 77°/55°F (25°/13°C) 73°/53°F (23°/12°C)
Jul–Sep 79°/55°F (26°/13°C) 86°/64°F (30°/18°C)
Oct–Dec 85°/64°F (29°/18°C) 58°/44°F (14°/7°C)
View all months
Month Lusaka Madrid
Jan 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C) 50°/37°F (9.8°/2.7°C)
Feb 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C) 54°/39°F (12.0°/3.7°C)
Mar 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C) 61°/43°F (16.3°/6.2°C)
Apr 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C) 65°/46°F (18.2°/7.7°C)
May 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C) 72°/52°F (22.2°/11.3°C)
Jun 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C) 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.1°C)
Jul 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C) 90°/66°F (32.1°/19.0°C)
Aug 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C) 88°/66°F (31.3°/18.8°C)
Sep 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C) 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.4°C)
Oct 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C) 67°/51°F (19.4°/10.7°C)
Nov 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C) 56°/43°F (13.5°/6.2°C)
Dec 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C) 50°/38°F (10.0°/3.6°C)

Data: Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD), Agencia Estatal de Meteorología Agencia Estatal de Meteorología

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Zambia 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.

Zambia passport

Zambia passport holder visiting Spain

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

Spain passport holder visiting Zambia

Visa Free
Spain 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 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 Zambia across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Spain is 0.7 per 100,000 people, compared to 5.2 in Zambia.

How is healthcare in Spain compared to Zambia?

Zambia 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 2.6 in Zambia. Spain scores 85 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Zambia: 56).

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

The average high temperature in Madrid is 68°F, compared to 80°F in Lusaka. Madrid receives around 16.6 in of rainfall per year, while Lusaka gets 31.4 in.

What language do they speak in Spain?

The official languages in Spain are Basque, Catalan, Galician and Spanish. In Zambia, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

ZM ES
Population 19,642,123 47,163,418
Currency Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) Euro (€)
Languages English Basque, Catalan, Galician, Spanish
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +260 +34
Time zones 1 2
Emergency number 112