Which countries need visas to visit Namibia?
Since 1 April 2025, 33 nationalities need a visa to enter Namibia, including Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia. It is issued on arrival and costs N$1,600 an adult, roughly €85.
Most pages about Namibian visas are still telling European travellers they can walk in without one. That stopped being true on 1 April 2025, when Namibia introduced a reciprocal visa requirement for 33 countries whose own rules require Namibians to hold a visa. If you are reading a guide written before then, it is wrong. This page was checked against the Namibian mission in August 2026.
Who needs a visa now
Thirty-three nationalities require a visa on arrival: Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uzbekistan.
That list covers almost every market Namibia depends on, which is why the change caught so many travellers out. Nationals of countries not on the list, including most of Africa, continue to receive a visitor’s entry permit at the border as before.
What it costs
Getting it on arrival is cheaper than applying in advance at a European embassy. N$1,600 is about €85 against €100 for the same single-entry visa from Paris. A family of two adults and two children aged eight pays N$4,800 at the airport.
How long you can stay
Tourists are permitted up to 90 days in a calendar year, and the stay you are actually granted is written into your passport at the desk — check it before you walk away, because it is not always the full period you asked for. The visa on arrival is for tourism only. Anything else, including filming and business meetings, needs an application through a Namibian mission before you travel.
On arrival, or before you fly?
- On arrival is cheaper and, at Hosea Kutako, usually quick. Bring the fee in cash and do not rely on the card machine.
- An e-visa applied for in advance removes the queue, which matters if you land at the same time as two European flights.
- A passport with at least six months of validity and two blank pages is expected. This is the most common reason people are turned back.
- Carry proof of onward travel and your first night’s booking. It is asked for more often than it used to be.
Crossing overland
The same rules apply at the land borders with South Africa, Botswana and Zambia, but the posts are smaller and the queues are slower. If you are driving in from South Africa, allow a full morning, carry the cross-border letter from your hire company, and do not arrive at a border after four in the afternoon expecting it to still be staffed.
Once you are through, the practical questions are money and health. See how much money you need in Namibia and staying healthy on a Namibia safari. If you are bringing children, our 15-day family Namibia adventure is built around the ages that pay reduced visa and park fees.
Any Namibia visa guide written before April 2025 says Europeans do not need a visa. They now do, and turning up without the fee in cash is the fastest way to start a holiday badly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Namibia?
If you hold a passport from one of 33 countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, the UK, the US, Canada or Australia, yes. It is issued on arrival for N$1,600.
How much is a Namibian visa on arrival?
N$1,600 for adults on non-African Union passports, N$1,200 for African Union member states, N$800 for children aged 6 to 11, and free for children under 6.
Can I get a Namibian visa at the airport?
Yes. Visa on arrival is issued at the port of entry for tourism. Bring the fee in cash rather than relying on a card.
How long can I stay in Namibia as a tourist?
Up to 90 days in a calendar year. The period actually granted is written in your passport at immigration, so check it at the desk.
Is it cheaper to apply in advance?
No. A single-entry visa from a European mission is €100, against roughly €85 for the same visa on arrival. Applying ahead buys time, not money.
Do children need a Namibian visa?
Children aged 6 to 11 pay N$800. Under-6s are free. Both still need their own passports and, if travelling without both parents, supporting documents.
Visa rules change without much warning. We re-check this page every quarter, and the figures above come from the Namibian mission rather than from another travel blog.