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Zambia
Africa
Lucky Nomads World Index
60.95 / 100
Global rank
#155
Corporate tax
30%
Personal tax
37%
Lucky Nomads Proprietary Indices
22 scoring dimensions scored independently using a deterministic methodology built on primary sources and structured analytical inference.
- SafetyShield Index6.8 / 10
- Affordability Index7.8 / 10
- Entry Ease Index5.7 / 10
- Tax Freedom Index7.3 / 10
- WiFi Index6.0 / 10
- Admin Ease Index4.7 / 10
- Healthcare Index5.2 / 10
- City Comfort Index4.5 / 10
- WeatherComfort Index7.5 / 10
- Banking Index6.7 / 10
- GeoStability Index6.8 / 10
- Justice & Order Index5.0 / 10
- Quality of Life Index4.7 / 10
- Open Society Index4.7 / 10
- Flight Index2.1 / 10
- Environmental Quality Index5.8 / 10
- English Index6.4 / 10
- Wealth Protection Index7.3 / 10
- AI Access Index5.8 / 10
- Economic Openness Index5.3 / 10
- Market Depth Index5.8 / 10
- ClimateShield Index7.9 / 10
Country snapshot
- Capital
- Lusaka
- Population (approx.)
- 22,500,000
- Area (km²)
- 752,618 km²
- Currency code (ISO 4217)
- ZMW
- Currency name
- Zambian kwacha
- Main airport IATA code
- LUN
- Airport name
- Kenneth Kaunda International Airport
General facts
- Minimum monthly cost
- From $1,036/month
- Main languages
- English
- Jurisdiction type
- Country
- Region
- Africa
- Web TLD
- .zm
- Phone calling code
- +260
Web TLD and phone codes are general references and can differ for territories or special numbering plans.
Tax system
- Marginal CIT (corporate income tax)
- 30%Very highWorldwide
- Marginal PIT (personal income tax)
- 37%HighTerritorial
Corporate taxation basis: Worldwide. The country generally taxes worldwide income of resident companies.
Predominantly source-based system under the Income Tax Act Chapter 323. Income deemed to be from a Zambian source is taxable. Zambian-resident corporations are also taxed on interest and dividends from foreign sources, aligning the system with a worldwide principle on passive financial income while keeping active foreign business income outside scope for residents without a Zambian permanent establishment. No CFC regime. Transfer Pricing Regulations 2000 (amended 2018, 2020, 2022) apply to related-party transactions.
Standard 30 percent CIT rate. Statutory sectoral variations exist (farming and agro-processing 10 percent, PPP SPV 15 percent for the first 5 years, telecoms 35 percent, non-traditional exports from farming 10 percent, other non-traditional exports 20 percent, gemstone value-addition 25 percent). The 2022 reduction from 35 to 30 percent and the 2023 telecommunications rate unification at 35 percent are the most recent structural changes.
Personal income tax basis. Territorial. The country taxes income arising in or derived from its territory. Foreign-source income is generally exempt, subject to source-based rules that may vary by income type.
Source-based system for residents under the Income Tax Act Chapter 323. Foreign-source employment, business, rental, capital gains and pension income are generally outside scope. Important exception: residents are taxed on interest and dividends from foreign sources (limited worldwide element). No non-dom regime, no remittance basis, no special HNWI regime for individuals.
Progressive 0/20/30/37 percent. The 37 percent top rate applies above monthly ( annually, approximately USD 4,083), one of the lowest top-rate trigger thresholds in Africa. No flat tax option, no impatriate regime, no HNWI tax regime. Mining sector employees including expatriates pay PAYE at standard rates with NAPSA pension and NHIMA health insurance contributions.
Tax percentages here are editorial reference figures for comparison, not individualized tax advice.
Special tax regimes
For companies
Multi-Facility Economic Zone, Industrial Park, Priority Sector and Rural Enterprise Incentive Regime
AvailableConcessionary corporate regime open to investors deploying at least USD 500,000 in a Multi-Facility Economic Zone, an Industrial Park, a declared…
Public Private Partnership Special Purpose Vehicle Concessionary Regime
AvailableConcessionary 15 percent corporate income tax rate applied to profits earned by Special Purpose Vehicles set up under the Public Private Partnership…
You either qualify for Zambia's special tax regimes, or you don't. GeoCompass determines your eligibility, highlights the applicable conditions, and helps estimate your potential tax exposure.
Check my eligibilityVisa and mobility
Your access
Visa need and length of stay for Zambia. Saved on your device.
Overview
- Citizenship by investment
Not currently available
- Residence by investment
Not currently available
- Remote work visa (digital nomad visa)
Not currently available
Programmes
Zambia lists several residency and mobility routes across business founder routes, work (employer sponsored), family and dependant routes, and student and graduate routes. Lucky Nomads tracks these programmes as editorial reference points. Thresholds, documents, and personal eligibility are evaluated in GeoCompass against your exact profile.
6 programmes listed · 6 are marked available in our editorial review
Business founder routes
1 programmeFounder, entrepreneur, or company-linked pathways for people building a business locally.
- Available
Investor's Permit
Work (employer sponsored)
2 programmesEmployer-linked permits and skilled employment passes for hired professionals.
- Available
Employment Permit
- Available
Temporary Employment Permit
Family and dependant routes
2 programmesSpouse, dependant, and family reunion style permits.
- Available
Spouse Permit
- Available
Temporary Permit
Student and graduate routes
1 programmeStudy-linked permits and post-study transition routes.
- Available
Study Permit
Not all residency routes are accessible. Some require minimum income, investment thresholds, local substance, or strict eligibility conditions. GeoCompass evaluates which options you can actually secure in Zambia.
Evaluate my residency optionsVisa and programme labels reflect editorial research, not individualized legal advice. Thresholds, documents, and personal eligibility are evaluated in GeoCompass. Always confirm rules with official government sources before you plan a move.
Dimensions breakdown
Strongest dimensions
- ClimateShield Index7.9 / 10Strong climateshield index
- Affordability Index7.8 / 10Competitive cost of living
- WeatherComfort Index7.5 / 10Comfortable climate year-round
Weakest dimensions
- Flight Index2.1 / 10
- City Comfort Index4.5 / 10
Published ranks by index
One row per leaderboard we publish (the composite index plus each proprietary dimension). A rank appears only when this country is currently in the published top 10 for that list. Open a row to see the full ranking. Hover an index name for the same short definition as elsewhere on the site.
This jurisdiction is not in the published top 10 on any of these lists right now.
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Founder, Lucky Nomads · Wealth manager
Researched from official sources, leading global indices and Lucky Nomads' own scoring.
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