Namibian citizenship by marriage and by naturalisation
Article 4, Constitution; Namibian Citizenship Act 14 of 1990 · Official name: Citizenship by Marriage / Citizenship by Naturalisation - Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security
Namibia's Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security grants citizenship by marriage and by naturalisation. Since the Namibian Constitution Second Amendment Act (Government Gazette, 7 May 2010), both routes need 10 years: a spouse must have been married in good faith to a Namibian citizen and ordinarily resident in Namibia as that spouse for at least 10 years; a naturalisation applicant must be ordinarily resident in Namibia, have lived there continuously for 10 years (in practice on a permanent residence permit), and meet health, morality, security and lawful-residence criteria. The government portal lists no fee for either application.
1 entry rule for Namibia based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 9 months and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Namibia
Finance
3
Currency
Namibian Dollar
NAD
Namibian Dollar
Cost of living
41
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
18–37%
Income tax (national)
VAT 15%
0% up to NAD 100,000 a year, then 18/25/28/30/32%, and 37% above about NAD 1.55 million.
Living
1
Happiness
#106 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Foreign spouses of Namibian citizens and long-term permanent residents of Namibia.
Eligibility
By marriage (Article 4(3))Spouse of a citizen
Sign in to check this route against your profileMarried in good faith to a Namibian citizen and ordinarily resident in Namibia as the spouse for not less than ten years, then applying. Customary marriages are recognised.
By naturalisation (Article 4(5))Permanent resident
Sign in to check this route against your profileOrdinarily resident in Namibia at the time of application and resident for a continuous period of ten years, with permanent residence; must meet the health, morality, security and lawful-residence criteria in the Namibian Citizenship Act.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklist
- Fees
- Steps to apply
The full requirements are for members
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- 6 documents
- 2 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Official sources
- Government of Namibia portal - Citizenship
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security - Citizenship (Namibian Citizenship Act 14 of 1990)
- Ministry of Home Affairs - Namibian Constitution Second Amendment (Government Gazette, 7 May 2010)
- Parliament of Namibia - Regularisation of Status of Certain Residents Bill, explanatory memorandum (2024)
