trees near pathway during daytime
trees near pathway during daytime
trees near pathway during daytime
White-throated rail (Dryolimnas cuvieri cuvieri), Ranomafana Na…
Madagascar magpie-robin (Copsychus albospecularis pica) female,…
Satellite image of Madagascar in September 2003. Slightly cropp…
UN MemberVisa-free · 30 daysPop. 27.7M
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Madagascar flag

Madagascar

French

Madagascar

Madagascar delivers island living at a quarter of global costs — your Western salary stretches to endless beaches, unique wildlife, and a slower pace that resets life.

CLIMATE
26°C avg · 3000h sun/yr
CURRENCY
MGA
LANGUAGE
French
SAFETY
Caution
#1 globally · Safety index 38/100
COST OF LIVING
Low cost
Cost index 24/100
TIME ZONE
GMT+3
UTC+3

What it's like to live in Madagascar

Madagascar is a unique island nation located off the southeastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity and distinctive ecological characteristics. As the world's fourth-largest island, Madagascar boasts an...


Cost of living
vs EU Average48% lower than EU average
1-bed apartment, city
MGA1,300,000Apartment (1 bedroom) in City…
Dinner for two
MGA13,500Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
Monthly groceries
MGA4,900Milk (regular), (1 liter)
Public transit (month)
MGA1,050One-way Ticket (Local Transpo…
Read the full cost-of-living guide
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Your Madagascar Roadmap

40+ page personal relocation analysis — visa path, tax strategy, neighbourhood guide, healthcare setup and more.

€29one-time report
What's included
  • Visa & residency path
  • Tax optimisation
  • Neighbourhood guide
  • Healthcare & schools
  • Cost breakdown

Healthcare

  • Madagascar's healthcare system is a blend of public and private facilities, with traditional medicine widely practiced, especially in rural areas.
  • Public healthcare is significantly underfunded and understaffed, offering basic services, while private facilities, concentrated in urban centers like Antananarivo, provide higher quality care.
  • Expats are strongly advised to secure comprehensive international health insurance that includes medical evacuation, as local public and private options may be inadequate for serious conditions.
Healthcare guide →
Entry Requirements & Visa Options

Madagascar offers flexible entry options for most international travelers, including visa on arrival at major airports like Antananarivo (Ivato). Citizens of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and over 200 other nationalities can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival for stays up to 30 days (115,000 Ariary / ~€35) or 60 days (higher fee, ~€40), payable in cash (USD, EUR, or Ariary). Requirements include a passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival date with 2-3 blank pages,...

Visa-free entry: 90 days
Digital Nomad Visa available
Work permits available
Retirement visa options
Read full guide

Travel advisories, hazards, and conflict indicators

Cost of living, housing, income, and purchasing power overview

Income tax, corporate tax, and fiscal overview

Job market, business environment, and work permits

International schools, universities, and curricula

Pension, retirement pathways, and financial planning

Seasonal temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine hours

Population, languages, and ethnic composition

Day-to-day expat life and practical tips

Public transit, airports, and getting around

Community, cultural integration, and expat life

Air quality, green spaces, and sustainability

Political system, government structure, and key policies

Location overview, cost of living index, and purchasing power

Economic and geographic overview at a glance

Community perspectives and expat experiences

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This content was generated using artificial intelligence based on publicly available information. It is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, immigration, or professional advice. Information may be incomplete or outdated. Always verify with official sources before making decisions.

Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.

All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.