Living in Madagascar: complete guide, employment and health insurance

Madagascar, nicknamed the Red Island and the Big Island, appeals to expatriates thanks to its natural beauty, tropical climate and authentic way of life. Located off the coast of Africa, this island offers a wealth of culture and exceptional biodiversity. Whether for professional reasons or for retirement in the sun, Madagascar attracts many French people. Before moving to Madagascar, it’s essential to be well prepared. Administrative formalities, finding a job and health insurance are all key to a successful expatriation in this idyllic setting.

Administrative procedures for moving to Madagascar

Expatriating to Madagascar requires a thorough understanding of the administrative procedures involved in regularizing your stay. Each type of visa corresponds to a specific expatriation project and involves specific administrative procedures. So it’s important to choose the one that best suits your situation, to guarantee a legal stay.

Visa types

Madagascar offers several types of visa, depending on the length of your stay and the reasons for it:

• Short-stay visa: for stays of less than 90 days, this tourist visa is ideal for preliminary recognition or a first trip.
• Long-stay visa: essential for expatriates wishing to settle permanently. This visa is generally valid for a stay of 30 to 90 days. You must convert it into a resident’s card on arrival.
• Work visa: This visa is required for expatriates coming to work in Madagascar. You must have an employment contract or a promise of employment from a local company.
• Residence visa: once you’re here, if you want to stay for a longer period, you’ll need to apply for a resident’s card. This is generally renewable every year, subject to presentation of documents justifying your situation (employment contract, rental or purchase of property, etc.).

Obtaining a resident card

To obtain a resident card in Madagascar, you need to provide several documents, depending on your situation. Once you’ve obtained a long-stay visa, you’ll need to submit your application to the Ministry of the Interior or the EDBM(Economic Development Board of Madagascar). Here are the main documents you’ll need to provide:

1. Completed and signed application form.
2. Valid passport (at least six months after planned return date).
3. Police record from your country of origin, less than three months old.
4. Proof of income: bank certificate, Malagasy employment contract or pension certificate, depending on your situation.
5. Proof of residence in Madagascar (certificate of residence).
6. Photocopies of previous visas and other documents related to your status (e.g. statistical card for investors).

Processing usually takes 30 to 40 days. We recommend that you submit your application at least one month before your convertible visa expires. Procedures may vary slightly from region to region. It is therefore advisable to contact the local prefecture directly to avoid delays. Once all documents have been submitted and the card issued, it is often valid for one year. Annual renewals are possible.

Registration with local authorities

When you arrive in Madagascar, you must register with the immigration authorities within three days of entering the country. This will validate your visa and allow you to regularize your status over the long term. You must also declare your place of residence to the local authorities.

Driving in Madagascar: what you need to know

If you plan to drive in Madagascar, you can use your French driving license for the first 12 months. After this period, you will need to convert your French license into a Malagasy license to continue driving legally. This procedure is carried out by the Madagascan Ministry of the Interior. Documents such as your original driving license and proof of identity are generally required.

If you don’t yet have a driving license, you can take one on site. However, be aware of the sometimes difficult driving conditions. The roads can be rough, and driving becomes particularly risky during the rainy season, with slippery roads and frequent potholes. Despite this, many locals are rather sporty drivers. So it’s important to be vigilant, especially on the part of new drivers.

Tips to make the process easier

• Prepare documents before departure: Make sure you have all the necessary documents, translated and legalized if necessary (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.).
• Use a lawyer or specialized agency: To speed up the process and avoid mistakes, it’s advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in immigration law or a local agency who can guide you through the various stages.

Moving to Madagascar: what you need to know

The cost of living in Madagascar is relatively affordable, lower than in many Western countries. However, if you aspire to a level of comfort similar to that of France, particularly in terms of accommodation or food, expenses can quickly rise. Particularly in big cities like Antananarivo. Prices for modern housing or imported goods are higher there.

Cost of living in Madagascar

The budget you’ll need to set aside will depend very much on the city you settle in. Antananarivo and Nosy Be are the most expensive cities, especially for French people looking for a Western level of comfort. In these cities, the prices of accommodation, restaurants and services are considerably higher than in rural areas or small towns. In Antananarivo, for example, the cost of certain imported products or the price of modern housing can reach levels close to those seen in Europe. The lifestyle you choose will play a major role in your expenses. If you opt for a lifestyle similar to that of the locals, with simple products and services, your budget will remain more modest.

Where to live in Madagascar?

Choosing where to settle in Madagascar depends on many factors, including your personal circumstances and lifestyle. Generally speaking, prices are higher in big cities and tourist areas, whether for food, transport or accommodation.

• Antananarivo (Tananarive): As a dynamic capital and economic center, Antananarivo is an ideal city for French people coming to work or settle down with their families. You’ll find the majority of job opportunities here, particularly in the business, service and administrative sectors. The city is home to a large foreign community, including many French and English speakers, making integration easy.
• Nosy Be and Sainte-Marie: For retirees or those in search of tranquility, the islands of Nosy Be and Sainte-Marie are ideal options. Known for their heavenly beaches and peaceful ambience, these areas offer an exceptional living environment far from the hustle and bustle of the capital.
• Tamatave (Toamasina): Tamatave is Madagascar’s main port city, offering an interesting compromise between professional opportunities and a more relaxed lifestyle. It’s a city suited to expatriates working in the port, industrial or commercial sectors.
• Majunga (Mahajanga): Located on the west coast, Mahajanga is known for its dry climate and beaches. It attracts expatriates seeking a tranquil lifestyle and opportunities in the tourism or real estate sectors.
• Fianarantsoa: If you’re looking for a quiet town with a strong cultural immersion, **Fianarantsoa**, in the highlands, could be a good choice. It’s a university and farming town with a low cost of living and a more relaxed atmosphere.

Climate and comfort

Before choosing your installation location, it’s essential to consider the local climate. Some areas are wetter or cooler than others, which could have an impact on your living comfort. Make sure that the region’s climatic conditions match your expectations and that the infrastructure (electricity, water, internet) is up to your needs.

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Working in Madagascar

Working in Madagascar can offer interesting opportunities, particularly in the tourism, agriculture and mining sectors, as well as in sustainable development and education. However, it is essential to fully understand the local job market and its specificities before taking the plunge. Expatriates wishing to work in Madagascar are generally required to obtain a work visa and employment authorization issued by the Ministry of Labor. Local companies often prefer profiles with technical or managerial expertise, particularly in sectors where local skills are limited.

Salaries are generally low, even for expatriates, but the relatively low cost of living makes up for this difference. Fluency in French, or even Malagasy, is an indispensable asset for professional integration. At the same time, employers often apply less standardized working conditions than in Europe. Infrastructure is sometimes rudimentary, particularly outside major cities such as Antananarivo.

Schooling your children while expatriating to Madagascar

When you move to Madagascar with your family, schooling for your children is a major expense to include in your budget. While Malagasy public education is financially very accessible, infrastructure and learning conditions often fail to meet expatriates’ expectations, particularly when it comes to equipment and teaching quality.

There are a number of private schools offering a variety of teaching standards and facilities. However, the quality of these establishments can vary greatly, as can tuition fees. Some offer relatively high standards, but at higher costs.

The preferred solution for many French people is to send their children to one of the French schools in Madagascar. These establishments, affiliated to the Agence pour l’Enseignement Français à l’Etranger (AEFE), offer teaching in line with the French education system, guaranteeing continuity in children’s schooling. Although these schools charge tuition fees, they remain reasonable compared to other expatriate destinations, while offering a quality of education more in line with the expectations of expatriate families.

Madagascar’s healthcare system

Madagascar’s healthcare system has its limitations, notably due to insufficient public infrastructure. Public hospitals often suffer from shortages of medicines and equipment. It is common for patients to be referred to private clinics or to hospitals in other countries in the region, such as La Réunion or Mauritius, for specialized care. Emergency services remain limited, and only the Antananarivo military hospital has equipment more suited to medical emergencies. For these reasons, we recommend that French nationals take out international health insurance before their arrival. This type of insurance not only covers routine medical expenses (consultations, hospitalization), but often includes essential options such as medical repatriation, which can be vital in the event of a serious health problem.

Example of healthcare costs in the private sector in Madagascar

The table showing examples of healthcare costs in the private sector in Madagascar. You’ll find cost estimates for various private medical services to help you plan your healthcare expenditure in this sector.

What health cover is needed to live in Madagascar?

When moving to Madagascar, it’s essential to understand the health cover options available. Employers must affiliate their expatriate employees with the Caisse Nationale de Prévoyance Sociale (CNAPS). However, this coverage remains limited. It only covers work-related accidents and illnesses, and does not include routine health care or non-work-related illnesses. Self-employed workers are not covered by the Malagasy social security system.

In practice, the Malagasy healthcare system is often inadequate. Both public and private hospitals require payment for treatment, medicines can be out of stock, and emergency services are poorly developed. As a result, many expatriates turn to healthcare facilities in other countries in the region, such as Reunion and Mauritius, for serious conditions or specialized care.

That’s why it’s essential to take out international health insurance before moving to Madagascar. This type of cover includes not only routine medical expenses, but also hospitalization costs, as well as essential services such as medical repatriation. Such insurance not only guarantees appropriate reimbursements, but also ensures access to quality care in a country where local medical infrastructures are often limited.