Living in Nouakchott
What it really costs to live in Nouakchott, what you can earn, the visas that get you in, and the taxes you'll pay — for Mauritania, updated 2026. Nouakchott lies in Western Africa. The main language is Arabic. Mauritania borders Algeria, Mali, Senegal.
Cost of Living in Nouakchott
Full Monthly Breakdown for Nouakchott
What You Can Earn in Mauritania
Typical gross annual salaries in Mauritania by sector (entry · median · senior). Nouakchott pay usually sits around the national median.
| Sector | Entry | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| it | €22 500 | €32 000 | €45 000 |
| retail | €7 500 | €11 000 | €15 500 |
| finance | €18 000 | €26 000 | €36 500 |
| education | €11 000 | €16 000 | €22 500 |
| healthcare | €15 500 | €22 000 | €31 000 |
| engineering | €19 500 | €28 000 | €39 000 |
| hospitality | €8 500 | €12 000 | €17 000 |
| construction | €14 000 | €20 000 | €28 000 |
Living in Nouakchott: Safety, Health & Climate
Nouakchott shares Mauritania's wider quality-of-life profile. Nouakchott has a dry climate. Here is what daily life looks like on the things that matter most when you relocate.
Visa Routes to Mauritania
Affording Nouakchott is only half the question — you also need a visa that lets you stay in Mauritania. The main routes:
- A job offer is normally required for the main work route.
- Permanent residence after about 5 years.
- Citizenship after ~10 years — dual nationality allowed.
- Investment route from about €25 000 (USD).
Taxes in Mauritania
Top marginal rate 35%, VAT 18%.
Settling into Nouakchott
- Foreigners can open a local bank account in Mauritania.
- Budget around €1 200 for first-month setup in Nouakchott.
- Regulated professions needing credential recognition: Medicine, Law, Engineering.
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How much does it cost to live in Nouakchott?
A single person in central Nouakchott should budget about €735/month, roughly €635 outside the centre. A family of four needs around €1 480/month.
Can I get a visa to live in Mauritania?
Yes — the main route usually needs a job offer, with permanent residence reachable in about 5 years. See the full Mauritania visa comparison for the route that fits you.
Sources: salaries, taxes, safety, healthcare and visa data from World Bank, OECD, the Global Peace Index and official government portals. Cost-of-living figures are community-sourced benchmarks — a guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 2026-05.
Related: Mauritania Guide · Visa Comparison · All Countries