Sierra Leone
Profiled in Freetown · West Africa
A hill-backed Atlantic capital founded as a settlement for freed slaves, with white-sand peninsula beaches and forested reserves close to the city.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Freetown is costly relative to incomes, with power, water and imported goods driving expat budgets. Beach areas outside the city are cheaper.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Freetown
- Cotton Tree siteThe historic kapok tree at the centre of Freetown, fallen in 2023.
- Bunce IslandEighteenth-century British slave-trading fort.
- Tacugama Chimpanzee SanctuaryRescue and rewilding centre in the Western Area forest.
- Sierra Leone Peace MuseumCivil war record and special court archive.
- St George's CathedralEarly nineteenth-century Anglican cathedral.
- Lumley BeachLong city beach on the western side of the peninsula.
- Tiwai Island Wildlife SanctuaryDense primate population on a Moa river island.
- Freetown Big MarketCraft and produce market near the waterfront.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- River No. 2Palm-lined beach village on the peninsula's south coast.
- Tiwai IslandRainforest research island with eleven primate species.
- Bunce IslandRuined slave castle in the Sierra Leone river.
- TacugamaChimpanzee sanctuary in the hills above Freetown.
- Banana IslandsSmall offshore islands with diving and colonial ruins.
Residency
Residence follows work or business permits, and there is no investor programme. Sierra Leone permits dual citizenship, and citizenship is constitutionally restricted to persons of Negro-African descent.
Tax
Personal rates are progressive to 30% and the corporate rate is 25%, with 15% goods and services tax. A minimum turnover tax applies. There is no wealth or inheritance tax.
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Sierra Leone tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
Nearby
More of West Africa
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to live in Sierra Leone?
About $800 a month for one person and $1,800 for a family. A one-bedroom flat rents for around $450, and a casual meal costs about $6. Freetown is costly relative to incomes, with power, water and imported goods driving expat budgets. Beach areas outside the city are cheaper.
Is Sierra Leone safe, and what is healthcare like?
In our index safety scores 5 out of 10 and healthcare 3 out of 10, where 10 is best.
What language and currency are used in Sierra Leone?
English. The currency is Leone (SLE).
What is the capital of Sierra Leone?
Freetown.
How can a foreigner get residency in Sierra Leone?
Residence follows work or business permits, and there is no investor programme. Sierra Leone permits dual citizenship, and citizenship is constitutionally restricted to persons of Negro-African descent.
What taxes does Sierra Leone charge?
Personal rates are progressive to 30% and the corporate rate is 25%, with 15% goods and services tax. A minimum turnover tax applies. There is no wealth or inheritance tax.