Area: 824,116 km²
Residents: 2,324,388 (2016)
Population density: 3 E / km²
Form of Government: Republic
System of Government: Semi-presidential democracy
Neighboring countries: Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa
Capital: Windhoek (Windhoek)
Official language: English
National languages: including Afrikaans, German, Oshivambo
religions:
45% Lutherans,
18% Catholics,
13% traditional natural religions,
5% Dutch Reformed,
5% Anglicans,
0.1%Jehovah’s Witnesses
Roads: Left-hand traffic
Currency: Namibia dollar (NAD or N $)
1 NAD = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
1 NAD = 1 ZAR (fixed)
1 EUR = 17.96 NAD
100 NAD = 5.65 EUR
1 CHF = 16, 14 NAD
100 NAD = 5.86 CHF
(rate from 02.26.2021)
Telephone area code: +264
Time zone: UTC + 1
In 2020, 111 Germans officially emigrated to Namibia and 303 came back to their homeland. Within the 10 years from 2010 to 2019, 2,125 Germans officially emigrated to Namibia and 2,940 moved back to Germany.
As a country starting with N listed on COUNTRYAAH, Namibia is about twice the size of Germany. Until 1919 it was a German colony as German South West Africa. Therefore, in addition to English and some national languages, a lot of German is spoken here (mostly as a second language). Namibia is best known for the Okavango River and its adjoining enchanting delta.
Namibia is essentially characterized by two deserts: in the west by the Namib and in the east by the Kalahari. There is an inland highland between the two deserts. The highest mountain at around 2,600 meters, however, is the Königstein in the Brandberg massif near the coast, about 200 km north of the coastal town of Swakopmund. In the east, the inland highlands gradually merge into the Kalahari highlands, which are around 1,200 meters high.
Namibia is very sparsely populated. Most people live in the few cities and in the fertile north of the country. Around 44% of the population live in the Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions. A third live in central Namibia, 300,000 of them in Windhoek alone. 7% of the population live in the south. The west and the Namib desert, with the exception of the port cities, are almost deserted.
There are many traditions in Namibia that convey a piece of home. Many street names and place names are of German origin. In Namibia’s capital Windhoek, carnival is celebrated with a cap meeting and the Oktoberfest is celebrated at a Namibian Oktoberfest. Here you can drink beer according to the German purity law and eat a Black Forest cherry cake. The German-language Allgemeine Zeitung appears in Namibia and the NBC also broadcasts in German.
The climate of Namibia is mostly hot and dry, otherwise subtropical continental. There are strong regional differences and large temperature fluctuations between day and night. The Namib desert is one of the driest regions on earth. In the highlands, there can be frost and even snow at night. There is often fog on the Atlantic coast. The temperatures are cooler here and even cold in winter. With seldom more than 15 ° C, the water has no real bathing temperature. Otherwise, rain occurs mostly, if at all, between November and April. To the north it rains more often and more intensely.
A special feature is the Caprivi Strip, which is characterized by frequent rainfall. These have created an extensive river system and a densely overgrown tropical jungle. The humidity is very high here.
Travel and Immigration
Changed travel regulations during and after the corona pandemic
Entry is generally possible by air via Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek and Walvis Bay Airport. South Africa has opened two border crossings with Namibia: Nakop / Ariamsvlei and Vioolsdrift / Noordoewer. Entry by land from Botswana is possible via the border crossings Ngoma, Mohembo, Mamuno and Impalila Island, as is entry from Zambia via Katima Mulilo.
Entrants, with the exception of Namibian nationals, must present a negative PCR test upon entry that is not older than seven days (168 hours from the smear test) and has been issued by a laboratory certified in the country of departure. Children under the age of five are exempt.
Even travelers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to submit a negative PCR test upon entry. Without a test or with a positive test result, only Namibian nationals are allowed to enter. After entry, this group of people is required to test as well as a seven-day quarantine at their own expense.
Tourists and visitors must present a firmly booked travel program and two health forms, which can be found on the Internet portal of the Namibian Tourism Association. Proof of travel health insurance that covers treatment costs in the event of a COVID-19 illness must also be submitted.
Special regulations may apply in international border traffic for flight and ship personnel, humanitarian aid personnel, service providers in the essential service or goods area, as well as personnel in cross-border transport operations. The entry requirements must be clarified with the relevant Namibian authorities.
Namibia does not impose any test obligation for outgoing tourists. Tourists are encouraged to consult their destination countries in this regard. The private laboratories Pathcare Namibia with an online appointment booking system and OSH-Med International with their accredited laboratories offer tests for tourists before departure for a fee.
Source: Federal Foreign Office on July 24th, 2021
General provisions for travel and residence (until the corona pandemic)
With a valid passport, you as a German, Austrian or Swiss can easily stay in the country for up to 90 days per calendar year. Upon entry, you will receive a tourist visa stamped in your passport. It is important that your passport has at least 2 free pages for the visa. as well as entry and exit stamps are available. You can apply for a visa for longer stays at the Namibian embassy in your home country. A one-time extension may also be approved in Namibia.
Minors must have their own travel documents. An entry in the parents’ passport is not sufficient.
Long stay
You have to apply for a visa in advance if you want to stay in Namibia for more than 90 days per calendar year or if the entry is for business reasons. This includes a work stay, study, research, internship and school stays.
To apply for a visa, you must provide the following documents / evidence:
For longer stays over 90 days as a tourist
- Corresponding application form
- 2 current passport photos (size 45 mm x 35 mm)
- Health insurance for the length of your stay
- Sufficient financial means for the length of your stay (3-month account statement / bank guarantee)
- Copies of the return ticket
- Hotel reservations
- Letter of invitation and proof that you are supported by a Namibian resident or Namibian person
- Yellow fever vaccination if you are entering a yellow fever area
- If minors are traveling with you, birth certificates are required
For a temporary stay for business reasons
To be submitted by the employee:
- Corresponding application form
- Copy of the marriage or divorce certificate if you are / were married to a Namibian citizen
- Proof of citizenship
- Copy of the passport
- 2 current passport photos
- Copy of the educational and / or training certificate
- Health certificate
- Guarantee certificate (as proof of sufficient financial resources)
- Criminal record certificate
To be submitted by the (Namibian) employer:
- Job offer / employment contract
- Letter of motivation with an invitation from the business contact, in which the purpose of the visit is briefly explained
- Guarantee deed
- Proof of the job advertisement, for example in local newspapers or on the Internet
- If the job is in government service, a letter of recommendation is required
- Proof of payment of the processing fee of € 30.00
- Proof of registration with the Medical Board of Namibia if the applicant is a doctor
- Proof of registration with the Namibia Engineering Council if the applicant is an engineer
Unrestricted residence permit
- Corresponding application form
- Visa application form
- 2 current passport photos
- Birth certificate
- Health certificate
- Criminal record certificate
- Marriage or divorce certificate
- Spouse’s death certificate
- Highest education and school certificates
- certificate of employment
- Proof of financial resources
The application form must be submitted in duplicate, signed and dated. When submitting the documents, you must bring your original passport and a copy of the bio information page with you. All forms must be made out in English or translated into English.
Namibia does not currently distribute long-term residence permits to foreigners. Only those who have trained as an engineer or have a similarly sought-after occupation can possibly live in Namibia permanently. The same applies to foreigners who set up their own company in Namibia and employ themselves in this company. It should also be noted that a permanent residence permit is always linked to a work visa. Both visas must be applied for 4-6 months in advance of departure from your home country.