Republic of the Congo

Profiled in Brazzaville · Central Africa

4fit /10

A riverside capital facing Kinshasa across the Congo, backed by some of the least-disturbed rainforest on earth and the gorilla reserves of Odzala.

CapitalBrazzaville
LanguageFrench
CurrencyCentral African CFA franc (XAF)
Population6.1M

Cost of living

What a month costs

$1,000Comfortable single
$2,200Family of four
$5501-bed, central
$8Casual meal

Oil money makes Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire expensive for the region. The CFA franc is euro-pegged, and imported goods dominate retail.

The scores

How it rates for a moving family

Safety4
Infrastructure3
English3
Kids’ schools4
Integration5
Healthcare3
Residency path4
Tax4
Climate7

See and do

Top 10 in Brazzaville

  1. Basilique Sainte-AnneGreen-tiled modernist basilica in Brazzaville.
  2. Congo River rapidsThe cataracts below Brazzaville and Kinshasa.
  3. Odzala-Kokoua National ParkOne of Africa's oldest parks, known for forest bais.
  4. Nouabalé-Ndoki National ParkPart of the Sangha Trinational UNESCO site.
  5. Marché TotalBrazzaville's large open market.
  6. Case de GaulleWartime Free French headquarters, now the French residence.
  7. Poto-Poto School of PaintingInfluential mid-century art school.
  8. Les RapidesRiverside recreation area on the Congo.

Where to go

Weekend escapes

  1. Pointe-NoireAtlantic port city and the country's economic centre.
  2. Odzala-KokouaRainforest park with western lowland gorillas.
  3. Lésio-LounaGorilla reserve on the Batéké plateau.
  4. Loufoulakari FallsWaterfall on the Congo river west of the capital.
  5. Nouabalé-NdokiRemote UNESCO rainforest park in the far north.

Residency

Residence follows work or business permits, with oil operations governed by production-sharing contracts. There is no investor route.

Tax

Personal rates reach 40% and the corporate rate is 28%, with 18% VAT. Hydrocarbons are taxed separately. There is no wealth or inheritance tax.

Curious what you would actually pay? See the Republic of the Congo tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →

Nearby

More of Central Africa

CameroonYaoundé · Overall fit 4/10Equatorial GuineaMalabo · Overall fit 4/10GabonLibreville · Overall fit 4/10Sao Tome and PrincipeSão Tomé · Overall fit 4/10ChadN'Djamena · Overall fit 3/10Democratic Republic of the CongoKinshasa · Overall fit 3/10

Frequently asked

How much does it cost to live in Republic of the Congo?

About $1,000 a month for one person and $2,200 for a family. A one-bedroom flat rents for around $550, and a casual meal costs about $8. Oil money makes Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire expensive for the region. The CFA franc is euro-pegged, and imported goods dominate retail.

Is Republic of the Congo safe, and what is healthcare like?

In our index safety scores 4 out of 10 and healthcare 3 out of 10, where 10 is best.

What language and currency are used in Republic of the Congo?

French. The currency is Central African CFA franc (XAF).

What is the capital of Republic of the Congo?

Brazzaville.

How can a foreigner get residency in Republic of the Congo?

Residence follows work or business permits, with oil operations governed by production-sharing contracts. There is no investor route.

What taxes does Republic of the Congo charge?

Personal rates reach 40% and the corporate rate is 28%, with 18% VAT. Hydrocarbons are taxed separately. There is no wealth or inheritance tax.