For many Westerners in search of a change of scenery and discovery, Madagascar is a tourist destination par excellence, boasting numerous natural and cultural attractions. For those who have already had the chance to discover the beauty of the Grande Île for the first time, moving here becomes an obvious choice. If the idea of expatriating to Madagascar appeals to you, here are seven tips you may find useful before moving to Madagascar.
Ask yourself the right questions before leaving your current country
Expatriation is a decision that requires careful thought. Before you leave your native country for good or for many years to come, you need to ask yourself the right questions about your reasons for leaving. Among the main reasons why people move abroad are the desire to live and discover new experiences, the hope of accessing new professional opportunities, the idea of living freely, etc. Whatever your reason for leaving your current country, make sure it’s enough to leave your life behind and start afresh in a completely different environment.
Ask yourself what Madagascar has to offer
If you’re planning to expatriate to Madagascar, it’s important to ask yourself in advance what the country has to offer. Indeed, spending a few days or weeks on vacation in the Big Island is not the same thing as coming to live there for good. So, if the country has so much to offer tourists, what about expatriates? Safety, jobs, accommodation facilities, social and medical insurance, schools, hospitals and so on. These are all factors you need to consider before taking the plunge.
Analyze the different expatriate statuses on the Big Island
The main long-stay visa statuses in Madagascar are Investor, Family Reunion and Worker. More and more foreigners, especially French, are coming to Madagascar to work, invest in a profit-making project or retire. To obtain a visa for a professional expatriate in Madagascar, you need to present an employment contract justifying your move to the Big Island. However, the conditions for each employee are not always the same. Thus, the “seconded” expatriate benefits from a higher salary and is affiliated to the French Social Security system. In contrast, an employee recruited by a company in Madagascar receives a salary similar to that of local employees, and is affiliated to the social security system in Madagascar.
Find out about possible medical and social coverage
This is an essential step in your expatriation project to Madagascar. Social and medical coverage on the Big Island is much more modest than in France. For professional expatriates, depending on their contract, they may either be affiliated to the the Social Security system, or to the “Caisse Nationale de Prévoyance Sociale” in french. Likewise, employees and their families will be affiliated to a plan offered by their employer. If you are retired, you can take out health insurance with the “Caisse des Français de l’Étranger” or CEF, if you have French nationality. Taking out insurance with a private insurance company is another solution with its own advantages.
Complete as many administrative formalities as possible before you leave
There are many administrative formalities to be taken into account when moving to France, including those related to the Family Allowance Fund, the tax office, the Employment Center, the pension fund and the embassy. That’s why it’s essential to complete as many formalities as possible before you leave, because once you arrive in Madagascar, you’ll find it difficult to do so. In fact, once you’re here, you’ll have to deal with all the administrative formalities involved in settling in the territory, as well as other procedures such as children’s schooling, documents for your new job, insurance and so on.
Become aware of the cultural differences between the French and the Malagasy
If you’re planning to expatriate to Madagascar, you need to be aware that you’ll be exposed to the cultural differences of two countries. To this extent, culture shock may initially disorientate or stress you. It’s a normal stage, however, as you gradually adapt to a new culture. To help you cope more easily, the best solution is to find out about these cultural differences in advance, and learn about the most important points. This will help you prepare yourself so that you are no longer surprised or offended by traditions or ways of life that differ from your own. To ensure that your integration goes smoothly, avoid making judgments about other people’s values and customs, and remember to make concessions.
Take care of your body and keep in touch with your loved ones
Just as it affects the mind, culture shock can also leave the body vulnerable. For this reason, it’s a good idea to take part in sports or regular exercise to keep yourself in shape. Getting plenty of rest and sleep will also help your body to recover and replenish the energy it needs to cope with your new daily routine. To avoid feeling lonely and isolated, keep in touch with friends and family, as well as former colleagues. This will also help you prepare for your return when the time comes.
As expatriation to Madagascar cannot be improvised, you need to plan months, even years, in advance to get the details right for your departure. If possible, a visit to the Big Island is the ideal way to get a first impression of your new home, its people and its environment. To help you, MDG Services offers you its administrative support services, in particular for obtaining long-stay visas, and for vacations in Madagascar, we invite you to discover Marco&Vasco’s tailor-made stays and tours.